Honda · 1995–present

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V (also sold as the Honda Breeze in China since 2019) is a compact crossover SUV manufactured by Japanese automaker Honda since 1995. Initial models of the CR-V were built using the same platform as the Civic. Honda began producing the CR-V in Japan and United Kingdom, for worldwide markets, adding North American manufacturing sites in the United States and Mexico in 2007, and Canada in 2012. The CR-V is also produced in Wuhan for the Chinese market by Dongfeng Honda, and also marketed as the Breeze in China for the version produced at Guangzhou by Guangqi Honda. Honda states that "CR-V" stands for "Comfortable Runabout Vehicle," while the term "Compact Recreational Vehicle" was used in a British car review article that was republished by Honda, associating the model name with the Sports Utility Vehicle abbreviation of SU-V. As of 2022, the CR-V is positioned between the smaller ZR-V (marketed as HR-V in North America) — with which the CR-V shares a platform — and the larger North American market Passport/Pilot or the Chinese market Avancier/UR-V. It was the second best-selling SUV globally in 2020.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Honda Crossroad

All Honda CR-V data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (1995)

The first generation CR-V or RD1 was Honda's first in-house designed sport utility vehicle by Hiroyuki Kawase. When the CR-V was introduced in Japan in October 1995 it was sold only at Honda Verno and Honda Primo dealerships and exceeded Japanese government's compact car regulations regarding exterior dimensions (maximum width of 1,700 mm (66.9 in), therefore incurred a more expensive annual road tax obligation. For the North American market, it was displayed at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show and went on sale in February 1997. Upon introduction, the model had only one trim level, which would later be known as the LX model trim; it was powered by the 2.0-litre straight-four B20B. Outer dimensions for this engine would be identical to the Integra's 1.8 L engine, but internally the engine had a larger 84 mm (3.3 in) bore vs 81 mm (3.2 in) for the Integra, to add the extra displacement needed to produce more torque. The engine used a one-piece cylinder sleeve construction unique from any other B-series engine. The chassis and suspension were largely similar to the 4th-generation Honda Civic Shuttle (Wagon) with a unibody design with fully independent suspension. The vehicle's suspension was double wishbone, while the rear used a trailing-arm-based multilink system. The rear seats were able to fold down and integrate with front seats that could fold flat, such that they formed a bed of sorts, about the size of a twin bed. Also, a picnic table was stowed in the rear floor area. All models featured plastic cladding covering the front bumper, rear bumper, and fender wells. In most countries, CR-Vs had a chrome grille; however, in the United States, the grille was made out of the same black plastic as the bumpers. The EX included anti-lock brakes and 15-inch alloy wheels over the LX

Second generation (2002)

The second generation CR-V, which went on sale on 13 November 2001, was a full redesign, based on the seventh generation Civic, and powered by the K24A1 engine, or the K20A4 engine in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian models produced 150 hp (112 kW) of power and 190 N⋅m (140 lbf⋅ft) while the North American versions of the new engine produced 160 hp (119 kW) and 219 N⋅m (162 lbf⋅ft) of torque. Per new SAE regulations, the same North American K24A1 engine is now rated at 156 hp (116 kW) and 160 lb⋅ft (217 N⋅m). The new CR-V retained the fuel economy of the previous model because of the i-VTEC system. The new chassis had increased torsional and bending rigidity, the suspension included a front toe control link MacPherson struts and a rear reactive-link double wishbone; the compact rear suspension increased cargo space to 72 cu ft (2,000 L). The second generation CR-V was Car and Driver magazine's Best Small SUV for 2002 and 2003. Second generation CR-Vs in countries outside of North America were again offered in both "low specification" and "high specification" variants, with the latter featuring body-coloured bumpers and fittings. It also now did not require the glass hatch to be opened before the swinging door. Changes between model years 2002, 2003, and 2004 were minor, involving an enlargement of the centre compartment bin and the addition of a front passenger door power lock in the latter two years, respectively. The Honda FR-V was based on the second generation CR-V. In China, a clone from Shuanghuan Auto, called the Laibao S-RV, became the centre of a design rights controversy, because the latter appeared to be a blatant copy of Honda's design. Facelift. In 2004, for the 2005 model year, the CR-V received a mid-cycle refresh. New 16-inch wheels replaced the previous

Third generation (2007)

The third generation CR-V went on sale in the U.S. in late September 2006 for the 2007 model year. Portions of the body structure, drivetrain, and suspension were carried over from the previous model, while both interior and exterior styling elements were changed significantly. The CR-V now featured a rear liftgate and bottom-side spare tire mount rather than a side-opening rear door and door-mounted spare. The third generation CR-V was powered by Honda's standard K-series 2.4 L inline-four engine. In North American markets, this engine's power is rated at 166 hp (124 kW) at 5,800 rpm and 161 lb⋅ft (218 N⋅m) at 4,200 rpm. A 2.2 L i-CTDI diesel engine was offered in the European and Asian markets. The European market CR-V had the R20A 2.0 L gasoline engine, based on the Honda R-series i-VTEC SOHC engine found in the Honda Civic, as opposed to the previous CR-V offering the K20A. Facelift. In 2009 for the 2010 model year in North America, the CR-V received design, powertrain, and equipment changes. Changes included a redesigned front fascia with a new horizontal-slat chrome grille and honeycomb-designed lower front grille, new front bumper, and revised tail lights. The rear bumper was redesigned, as were the alloy wheels. The interior received minor changes, including seat fabrics, as well as wider driver and front-passenger armrests. The audio head unit controls were altered and the information display backlighting in the gauges was changed to blue, instead of the previous black. Engine.

Fourth generation (2012)

The fourth generation CR-V concept debuted at the Orange County International Auto Show in September 2011, the production 2012 CR-V debuted at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The CR-V went on sale in the U.S. on 15 December 2011. It was powered by a 2.4-litre i-VTEC inline-four engine that put out 185 hp and 163 pound-feet (220 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm along with an all-new Real-Time all-wheel-drive (AWD) with intelligent control system. All North American CR-Vs came equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Facelift. The facelifted 2015 model year CR-V went on sale during October 2014. The Fourth generation CR-V used the direct injected Earth Dreams engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) combination first introduced on the ninth generation Accord, EPA estimated fuel economy was improved +4/+3/+3 mpg (city/highway/combined). The structure was modified to improve crash performance, particularly in the IIHS's small offset crash test. The suspension shock absorbers, springs, anti-roll bars, and lower control arms were also revised to improve ride performance, while a reduced 15.6:1 steering gear ratio and larger brake booster gave it a sportier feel. Engines.

Fifth generation (2017)

The fifth generation CR-V was unveiled on 13 October 2016 in Detroit. Sales began in the U.S. on 21 December 2016 as a 2017 model year. It used the same Honda compact global platform introduced on the tenth generation Civic. Honda began producing the CR-V at East Liberty, Ohio, (ELP) in November 2016 and at Greensburg, Indiana, (HMIN) during February 2017. It was available with an optional 7-seater variant in markets other than North America. In October 2019, Guangqi Honda in China began marketing the model with a different styling as the Honda Breeze (Chinese: 皓影; pinyin: Hàoyǐng), which was sold alongside the international facelift version CR-V produced by Dongfeng Honda. Facelift. Honda unveiled a refreshed CR-V in September 2019 for the 2020 model year, initially for the North American market. For the first time in North America, the refreshed model introduced a hybrid powertrain as an option. Additionally, the CR-V's suite of advanced safety features were standard on every trim level, meaning even the most affordable CR-V provided adaptive cruise control and the latest crash prevention technology.

Sixth generation (2023)

The sixth-generation CR-V was unveiled on 12 July 2022 in Los Angeles, California, with sales commencing in the U.S. in September 2022 as a 2023 model year. It was based on the Honda Architecture platform that underpinned the eleventh-generation Civic. The CR-V was available with 5- and 7-seater configurations, which varied by market. GAC Honda in China marketed the model as the Honda Breeze (Chinese: 本田皓影; pinyin: běntián hàoyǐng) in December 2022, which featured different front and rear fascias. The plant that produces the sixth-generation CR-V for Dongfeng Honda was responsible for the export of CR-V models sold in Europe, which commenced in June 2023.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Honda CR-V

Manufacturer

Honda

aka

Honda Breeze (China, 2019–present)

Production

1995–present

Class

Compact crossover SUV (C)

Body style

5-door SUV

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Predecessor

Honda Crossroad, Honda Civic Shuttle Beagle 4WD

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q255461CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CR-VCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377742495 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_CR-V_e-PHEV_Advance_Tech_2WD_(VI)_%E2%80%93_f_05052024.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 de · Photo: © M 93 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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