It’s hard to imagine the Honda CR-V is 18 years old. But with its sibling, the Element, discontinued, the CR-V is now the Japanese manufacturer’s entry-level Sport Utility Vehicle.
There’s plenty of competition in the SUV segment, so for 2012, the CR-V was redesigned. The exterior has deeper sculpting, a bolder front fascia and a more overall aerodynamic look. More standard features, increased horsepower and one mpg improved mileage estimates also debuted with 2012 edition.
Key Takeaways
- Redesigned for 2012 with more power: The fourth-generation CR-V gained deeper body sculpting, a bolder front fascia, and five additional horsepower (185 total) from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.
- Extensive standard features even on base LX: Standard equipment includes a rearview camera, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and split-folding rear seats with fore-and-aft adjustment.
- EX-L tested over 600 miles including mountain driving: A week-long test covering city and highway driving, including a 400-mile round trip through mountainous terrain, confirmed the CR-V’s reputation for comfort and versatility.
- 26 mpg combined with only a five-speed automatic: Fuel economy of 22 city/30 highway/26 combined is competitive for the class, though the five-speed automatic feels dated compared to rivals offering six or more gears.
- Segment leader for a reason: While not flashy, the CR-V’s combination of reliability, cargo space, comfort, and Honda’s residual values keeps it at the top of compact SUV sales year after year.
The Honda CR-V still gets defined in two ways. Does the CR-V mean Compact Recreational Vehicle or Comfortable Runabout Vehicle? Official Honda marketing materials reference both definitions, and it doesn’t really matter.
More important: Since its debut, the CR-V has been at the popularity forefront of the SUV segment, and it’s now available in LX, EX, and EX-L models all with either front or all-wheel drive but without further options.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
The EX-L model, my tester for the week, extends the base LX model, which despite its entry-level price, features a substantial standard features list: interior air filter, tilt/telescopic steering wheel w/radio controls, height-adjustable driver seat, split folding rear seat with fore and aft adjustment, power mirrors/windows/locks with remote, digital-media player connection, USB port, internet radio, wireless cell-phone link and a rearview camera.
All Images © James Raia/2012″/>A power sunroof is among a few items added to the most expensive EX model, and logically the EX-L models offers the most equipment: leather upholstery, heated front seats, heated power mirrors, satellite radio and a navigation system.
Like all CR-Vs, my EX-L had 185 horsepower (five more horsepower than in 2011) and a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with the only available transmission, a five-speed automatic.
The leather seats and navigation system were particularly appreciated during my week with the SUV. It included nearly 600 miles of driving, dominated by a 400-mile, round-trip weekend trek from Sacramento to Fresno.
One of the shortcomings of the CR-V is the engine noise and wind noise. Leather seats promoted the CR-V from utilitarian status to near luxury. The leather seats also seemed to work as sound buffers.
Likes:
Standard rearview camera.
Good interior storage space.
Intuitive navigation system and dual-level readout
Marbled gray plastic interior trim.
Honest gas mileage averages (28.3 mpg over 563 miles).
Exterior color: Opal Sage Metallic.
Dislikes:
Substantial wind noise
Average acceleration.
Facts & Figures: 2012 Honda CR-V
Acceleration: 0-60 mph (unavailable). Airbags: 6. Fuel Economy: 22 mpg (city), 30 mpg (highway), 26 mpg (combined), five-speed automatic transmission. Government Safety Ratings: NTHSA (out of five stars): Overall (5 stars), Front (5 stars), Side (5 stars), rollover (4 stars); IIHS: Frontal Offset, good; Side impact, good; Rear Crash, good; Roof strength, good. Horsepower: 185. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $29,795.00. Manufacturer’s Web site: www.honda.com. Price As Tested: $30,605.00. Warranty: Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion: 5 years/unlimited mileage.
What Others Say:
“The CR-V would appear, then, to fall short of its highly styled, technology-laden competitors from Korea — and the forthcoming new Ford Escape. LED daytime running lights aren’t available, there’s no direct-injected turbo engine option, there are no ventilated seats or double-pane sunroof, and you’ll have to stick a metal key into an ignition slot to start this car. That leaves the CR-V to compete instead on its inherent goodness — and that’s precisely where it shines.” — Automobile Magazine.
“CR-V continues to excel for its ‘just-right’ blend of comfort, refinement, passenger room, and cargo versatility. An edgier look for 2012 makes it stand out from the competition.” — Consumer Guide.
“However, we think the Honda CR-V’s thoughtful mix of family-friendly attributes will continue to make it a great choice for most shoppers. As such, it easily remains one of our top picks in the class.” — Edmunds.
What The Wife Says:
“I really like the fact that it gets better gas mileage and it offers a smoother ride than my (2009) CR-V.”
The Weekly Driver’s Final Words:
“Since its debut, the CR-V has done so much right and at a fair price. Honda still trails the industry with its 3-year/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty, but that’s not a strong enough reason to discourage a potential CR-V buyer. It’s an ideal multi-use SUV — family needs to cargo versatility.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Honda CR-V have?
The 2012 CR-V uses a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 185 horsepower, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations are available across all three trims.
What are the trim levels for the 2012 Honda CR-V?
The 2012 CR-V is available in LX, EX, and EX-L trims. The EX adds a power sunroof, while the EX-L includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, satellite radio, and an available navigation system.
How much cargo space does the 2012 CR-V offer?
The CR-V provides ample cargo space behind the rear seats, and the split-folding rear seats with fore-and-aft adjustment allow flexible configurations for larger items. The redesigned interior maximizes usable space within the compact SUV footprint.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Honda CR-V?
The 2012 CR-V achieves 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. This represents a one-mpg improvement over the previous generation, achieved through aerodynamic refinements and engine tuning.
Is the 2012 Honda CR-V reliable?
The CR-V has consistently ranked among the most reliable compact SUVs, backed by Honda’s 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Its proven 2.4-liter engine has a strong track record across multiple Honda and Acura models.
How does the 2012 CR-V compare to the competition?
The CR-V competes with the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, and Chevrolet Equinox. Its strengths are Honda reliability, strong resale value, and a well-equipped base model. Competitors may offer more powerful engines or sportier driving dynamics.
Article Last Updated: May 1, 2026.
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.