2018 Honda CR-V Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

2017 ushered in the fifth generation of the ever-popular Honda CR-V. This vehicle is Honda's mid-sized SUV, ranking in size between the subcompact HR-V and the three-row Pilot. As is typical with Honda vehicles, the CR-V embodies safety, reliability, and sensibility. Honda's new global platform and the inclusion of Honda Sensing help to make this model one of the most exciting in its class to come out in 2018.

What's New for 2018?

Since the 2017 Honda CR-V was redesigned last year, most of the structural elements, powertrain options, and other specs and features carry over into the 2018 Honda CR-V. Since Honda is now using a new styling platform, the wheelbase is slightly longer, and the vehicle is a little bit wider. The exterior has a somewhat sportier look that brings it up-to-speed with its competitors.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Honda CR-V – The Pros

1. The New Global Platform

Honda's new global platform changes the way its vehicles are designed. The global platform elongates the wheelbase on its vehicles and adds width. For the CR-V, this could potentially mean a third row of seating somewhere in the near future. Drivers can expect to find a bit of extra space in the cabin and cargo area compared to the previous year's model, which was quite generous and cozy.

2. Honda Sensing

The Honda Sensing bundle is now being added to the 2018 lineup. This suite includes multiple helpful driver aids, such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW), the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation System (RDMS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW). Additionally, there are a number of other safety features on the CR-V, including blind spot monitoring and automatic high-beam headlights.

3. A Sportier Exterior

The front and rear fascia on the 2018 Honda CR-V have been redesigned in order to compete with some of the sporty new SUVs on the market. The black grille has larger openings, and the headlights are slim and elongated across the front fascia.

4. Great Visibility

The front roof pillars are slender and offer a good amount of frontal visibility. Visibility from the side is also quite clear. The standard rearview camera offers extra assistance when trying to see while backing up into a tight parking space.

5. An All-Wheel Drive Option is Available

Although front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is now optional across Honda's lineup. This is a nice touch that puts it above many of its competitors who only offer AWD on upscale trim levels or not at all.

6. Several Strong Powertrain Options

There are several strong powertrain options to choose from which carry over from 2017. Drivers can choose between a 1.5-L and 2.4-L 4-cylinder engine. New throughout Honda's 2018 lineup is a 10-speed automatic transmission which, while it might seem like overkill, is perfect for the SUVs. Engines were previously paired with a CVT automatic transmission.

7. A Hybrid Model is Available

The 2018 Honda CR-V Hybrid is an exciting addition to the lineup, as it comes with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. This drivetrain is composed of a 2.0-L gas-using 4-cylinder engine and two lithium-ion-powered electric motors which are capable of generating an astounding 212 hp.

8. Three Driving Modes on the Hybrid

One of the best things about the Hybrid are the three driving modes. Hybrid Drive transfers power from the engine to the electric generator motor, then to the electric motor. Engine Drive runs on gas but will give the car an electric boost as needed. EV Drive is the fully electric mode that emits no emissions.

9. High-Quality Interior Materials

The interior of the CR-V is impressively sophisticated and seems to be crafted from high-quality materials. Most of the knobs and buttons are intuitively placed and are easy enough for most drivers to use. The seats are also extremely well-cushioned and provide a lot of comfort for those with bad backs.

10. The Hands-Free Liftgate

The CR-V features a power-operated liftgate that makes it so that you don't have to use your hands to open it. This is especially handy for individuals who struggle to physically open a heavy and awkward SUV trunk. It also makes loading and unloading items a breeze.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Honda CR-V – The Cons

1. The Infotainment System is Finicky

As is the case on every Honda (and has been for several years), the infotainment system is, at best, finicky. The touchscreen is overly-sensitive, and some aspects of its digital interface are nothing short of confusing and frustrating. Drivers are going to have to hope that Honda refines their system a bit more in 2019.

2. The Base Engine Consumes More Gas Than the Turbo

Although the base engine isn't totally thirsty for gas, it has a history of sucking up more gas than the higher-powered turbo engine. It isn't a massive difference or a major pitfall, and there could be some improvements thanks to the new global platform design.

3. A Faulty Navigation System

Last year's navigation system was incredibly glitchy and awkward to use. There are seemingly still some problems with it this year, and it is not designed for drivers who are not tech-savvy.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2018 Honda CR-V vs. 2018 Toyota Highlander

The 2018 Toyota Highlander is the biggest competitor for the 2018 Honda CR-V. It has a high-quality appeal and gets generous fuel economy, especially on its Hybrid model. However, the exterior is slightly less athletic, and the central stack looks somewhat unsophisticated next to that of the CR-V.

2018 Honda CR-V vs. 2018 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2018 VW Atlas is, like the CR-V, extremely comfortable. It also has precise steering and handling, and the entire cabin is very user-friendly. However, the Atlas has clunky acceleration, even on the V6 engine. Also, it lacks the small item storage spaces that come aplenty on the CR-V.

Conclusion

The 2018 Honda CR-V is quite similar to the outgoing model, and this is a good thing. The changes made due to the new global platform are welcome, but drivers will have to wait for Honda to finally install a user-friendly infotainment system. Overall, the CR-V performs well, won't break your piggy bank, and is a family-friendly vehicle that offers a lot of safety.