Many car shoppers consider buying SUVs because they provide a mix of style, space, and space. Or at least they’re supposed to. The 2021 Honda CR-V offers plenty of flair and room, but its base-model LX lacks one feature critical to driver comfort.

Here’s a look at the 2021 Honda CR-V and what’s wrong with the LX trim. 

The 2021 Honda CR-V’s style

The 2021 Honda CR-V is an attractive SUV inside and out. The exterior sports slim, angular headlights and a stylish grille. The back boasts long, slick LED taillights and optional dual chrome exhaust finishers for a modern look. 

The interior feels spacious, luxurious, and modern, especially in the upgraded versions. The LX base model comes with a five-inch infotainment screen and a four-speaker sound system. The base model’s infotainment system feels lackluster and slow, and it isn’t even a touchscreen. All other trim levels come with a seven-inch infotainment display plus Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio integration. 

Other upgrades might be worth the extra investment, like a heated, leather-trimmed steering wheel and dual-zone climate control to keep the driver and front passenger cozy and comfortable. 

And even the base-model CR-V provides enough room to seat five adults comfortably. 

The 2021 Honda CR-V’s performance

The 2021 Honda CR-V comes equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo-four engine that can produce 190 horsepower. This is the only engine option for the non-hybrid versions of the 2021 Honda CR-V. But you can choose between two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. MotorTrend found that the all-wheel-drive CR-V can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, as can the hybrid version. Both get excellent gas mileage. The non-hybrid models get around 32 mpg on the highway, and the hybrid gets about 35 mph. 

U.S. News reports that the 2021 Honda CR-V provides a smooth ride and acceleration. And the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) raises no concerns. Other vehicles with these systems often receive criticism for their reduced acceleration and odd noises. Overall, the 2021 Honda CR-V feels balanced and smooth, and many drivers deem it fun to drive. 

The driver’s seat problem

However, the base-model Honda CR-V lacks one thing most drivers want. And that’s a power-adjustable seat with lumbar support. If you want it on the driver’s seat, you’ll have to fork over at least $2,000 more to get the next trim level, the EX. According to Honda, the EX also gives you heated front seats, a nice bonus. If you decide to upgrade to the EX-L or Touring version, the passenger seat is also power-adjustable with lumbar support. These two higher trims also include leather-trimmed seats, which might feel worth the extra $5,000 or $8,000, respectively, over the base model.

Even with heftier price tags on those upgrades, MotorTrend notes in its review of the 2021 Honda CR-V that higher trims don’t feel particularly spectacular, especially compared to major competitors. As a result, you’ll will have to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each trim before making a big investment. Despite its drawbacks, MotorTrend still rated the 2021 Honda CR-V number one in compact SUVs. Overall, it’s a fantastic choice for any prospective SUV owner, but just know you might have to spend a bit over the base price if you value extra comfort.