A Used Honda CR-V Could Be a Great Choice for Your Family

Although the features and design of the Honda CR-V have changed from year to year since it was first introduced in 1997, in the 25 years since it first hit the road, it has always been an excellent family vehicle. If you are looking at online Honda CR-V sales but are not entirely sure this is the right model for you, then we here at Online.cars are here to help. Since it was first released, the CR-V has been through six generations across numerous decades, which means you can find a lot of different models when shopping for a used CR-V. From the last seven years, you’ll find three different generations.

Any used Honda CR-V you find can be a great option for your family, but it’s worth considering what you need from your vehicle before deciding which one you want. To make this easier, we’ll go through some of the most important things you should look for in a family vehicle and explore some differences between different used models. We’re not going to go quite as far back as possible; you won’t find too many first-generation models at a dealership, but we’ll give you a great overview of which ones to consider and watch for as you look for your next family vehicle. And when you’re ready to begin your search for a great used CR-V model, we invite you to look at our extensive selection of models on Online.cars.

A Look at the Honda CR-V Generations

Before we dig into some specifics on the various CR-V models, let’s take a moment to review the different generations you should look for. The first year for the Honda CR-V in the US was 1997, though you won’t find too many of them offered by dealerships. The second generation of the CR-V kicked off with the 2002 model year, with a third generation following that in 2007, and a fourth generation that launched with the 2012 model. These fourth-generation CR-Vs are among the oldest ones you’ll often find at dealers; there was an update for it in 2015, with improvements like a more powerful engine and the introduction of the Honda Sensing system, so keep that in mind while shopping.

Fifth-generation CR-V models started in 2017, which means you’ll find many modern features and amenities in them if these are some of your must-haves. There was an update for the fifth generation starting in 2020, which lasted a couple of years after. The current sixth generation of the CR-V was launched this year with the 2023 model, and it has the latest features and technology available. You probably won’t find too many of these on the used market just yet, but there could be some out there, and they’ll become more common in the months and years to come.

A Spacious Interior No Matter Which Year You Choose

As a compact crossover model, the CR-V might not be as spacious inside as the three-row Honda Pilot or Passport, but it still gives you plenty of room to enjoy. For most families, two rows of seating for up to five passengers, which you’ll find in the CR-V, is ideal and has plenty of space. If you need more seating, however, you’ll want to look at one of those larger Honda SUVs.

As the CR-V has evolved and changed from generation to generation, the amount of space you can find inside it has also grown. Going back to the beginning, with the 1997 model, the CR-V had 98 cu.ft. of total passenger volume, with about 30 cu.ft. of rear cargo space and more than 67 cu.ft. of total cargo volume. By comparison, a 2012 model has more than 101 cu.ft. of passenger space inside, along with more than 37 cu.ft. of rear cargo volume and nearly 71 cu.ft. of total cargo space. And if you look at a model from 2017, it will have nearly 106 cu.ft. of passenger volume inside, with about 40 cu.ft. of rear cargo space and nearly 76 cu.ft. of total cargo volume. You can see these numbers differ quite a lot, with newer models generally being larger, so keep that in mind while shopping for your next CR-V.

Exceptional Fuel Economy

Any good family vehicle should help you keep your costs down; that starts with a low price but continues with great fuel efficiency to minimize gas expenses. The CR-V has always had an impressive engine with all-wheel drive offered, which makes it incredibly fun to drive. This also means it’s a great choice for all kinds of weather and keeps you in control while on the road. On top of this, however, the CR-V has also had impressive fuel economy every year.

Looking at a model from 2012, for example, the CR-V features a 2.4L I-4 engine producing 185 hp; this gets an estimated 23 MPG in the city, 30 MPG on the highway, and 26 MPG of combined fuel economy. With a 2017 model, however, you get a 1.5L I-4 engine that delivers 190 hp, but it gets an estimated 28 MPG in the city, 34 MPG on the highway, and 30 MPG of combined fuel efficiency. For a point of comparison, the current 2023 model features a turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine with 190 hp that gets an estimated 28 MPG in the city, 34 MPG on the highway, and 30 MPG combined, though a hybrid engine has been available since 2020. Overall, the differences aren’t huge, but you can see that with each passing year, Honda’s engineers improve performance to deliver a more efficient ride than previous models.

The More Recent of a Model, the More Standard Safety Features Are Available

There’s nothing we can think of that’s more important for your family than how well a vehicle can help protect them and keep them safe. This is also one of the points where buying a more recent CR-V model will make a big difference. As time goes by, safety features and technology improve, plus what was an available option for a previous year will often become a standard feature on subsequent models. You’ll have to choose the CR-V that fits your budget, but it’s a great idea to shop for recent model years to get the more modern features you’re looking for.

For example, in 2012, standard safety features included a comprehensive airbag system, brake assist, and daytime running lights. Jumping ahead to a 2017 model from the next generation, you get LED daytime running lights and a multi-angle rearview camera system. But if you go up to the 2020 model, then impressive safety technology like a forward collision warning, a collision mitigation braking system, and a lane departure warning became standard on every model. This is important to remember since this is still part of the fifth generation, but the 2020 refresh made those features standard rather than optional.

The CR-V Has Everything You’re Looking For in a Family Vehicle and More

As you can see, a used Honda CR-V is a terrific choice if you’re shopping for a great family-friendly crossover SUV and a midsize model will work for you. Even though it keeps its overall size pretty modest, it still gives you plenty of room inside for your family and everything that you need to bring along with you. Fuel efficiency changes yearly, but throughout its entire lifespan, it has been excellent, so you get an efficient ride no matter what.

The biggest issue to keep in mind as you look at different used models is how technology and safety features have improved over time. It can be difficult to balance what you can afford with the tech you want, but the later the model or the higher the trim you can afford, the more you’ll get. This is particularly important when it comes to safety, and we always recommend investing in getting great features that can help protect you and your loved ones. You can find an extensive selection of used Honda CR-V models here at Online.cars, where you can shop for a CR-V from the comfort of your own home. Visit Online.cars today and find that perfect model for you and your family.