Is the 2007 Honda CR-V One of the Best Used SUVs You Can Buy?
Buying a 15-year-old used SUV isn’t without its risks. However, buying a used Honda CR-V with its consistent reliability, top safety ratings, and high owner satisfaction reduces those risks. So, how good is a 2007 Honda CR-V, and should you consider buying one?
2007 Honda CR-V pros and cons
According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a used 2007 Honda CR-V is one of the best used SUVs you can buy for under $8,000. Additionally, KBB’s full review uses words like “benchmark crossover” and “practical as a backpack” to describe the 2007 Honda CR-V. However, KBB notes that “there’s little pizzaz in practical.”
According to Car Complaints, the number one owner-reported complaint about the CR-V third-generation starter is faulty electronic door locks. There are also several complaints about faulty air conditioning systems. However, considering the number of 2007 CR-V’s sold, those issues involve a small fraction of the units on the road today.
Features to look for in a used 2007 Honda CR-V
Every 2007 Honda CR-V features the same 166-hp 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine with 161 lb-ft of torque paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. While the 2006 CR-V used the same 2.4-liter engine, Honda’s engineers retuned it, gaining 10 horsepower for 2007. Unfortunately, that increase wasn’t enough for some 2007 CR-V owners, as several responses to Consumer Reports surveys indicate displeasure with their CR-V’s acceleration.
Standard features across all 2007 Honda CR-V trim levels include:
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- 17-inch wheels
- Tilt and telescopic steering column
- MP3 auxiliary input stereo input
- Speed-sensitive volume control
- “Conversation mirror” designed to see back seat passengers.
Factory options include “Real Time” four-wheel drive across all trims. Additionally, the Premier Audio Package included with the EX-L trim’s optional GPS navigation system features a 6.5-inch screen, voice recognition, and a rearview camera.
While the 2007 CR-V only provides two rows of seating, the (at the time) redesign added wider seats for more hip room compared to the previous generation. The reclining rear seats slide front to back, feature fold-down armrests, and enough legroom to fit most adults comfortably, though anyone over 6-ft tall may feel crowded unless seated in front. The rear seats can also “fold and tumble forward” for up to 72.9 cubic feet of cargo space.
The 2007 Honda CR-V received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick by performing well in the standard series of crash tests. The only weak spot for the 2007 CR-V is the “roof strength” test, which performed below the IIHS’s “acceptable” level. Low roof strength means that the 2007 CR-V’s roof has a higher chance of collapsing into the passenger compartment than a vehicle with a higher rating in an accident involving a rollover.
Should you buy a used CR-V compact SUV
If you need a reliable, practical SUV for under $8,000, a used 2007 Honda CR-V with under 175,000 miles is a good option. There is no question that the 2007 CR-V is a reliable, fully functioning, family-oriented compact SUV. However, if the marginal roof strength, poor acceleration, or lack of “pizzaz” leave you seeking other options, rest assured, other options abound in this price range.
