If your main priorities in a car are comfort and convenience, a Honda should be on your shortlist. This Japanese carmaker is celebrated for creating quality, dependable cars. But what is Honda’s best-selling vehicle? 

Honda is setting new records 

Honda’s best-selling vehicle probably won’t surprise you. The carmaker’s top-seller is none other than the CR-V. According to recent sales data, Honda sold 237,334 CR-Vs by the end of Q3 2020. This time last year, Honda sold 280,739 CR-Vs during the same period.

The CR-V’s record sales numbers for 2020 put it right behind its long-time competitor, the Toyota RAV4. Critics often call the CR-V “the total package.” With the CR-V, you get quick acceleration, responsive handling, and a roomy interior.

The 2020 CR-V is part of the model’s fifth generation that officially launched in 2017. This generation brought sharper features and a boxier shape. Not to mention, the CR-V is now more efficient than ever before. 

Driving the CR-V 

All CR-Vs have a 190-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A continuously variable automatic is standard. It comes with all-wheel-drive, with all-wheel-drive available.

The regular CR-V has an EPA rating of up to 30 mpg overall. This rating is outstanding for the compact SUV class. The CR-V is also available as a hybrid.  

The CR-V Hybrid features two electric motors and a 212-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder. This hybrid has an EPA rating of a combined 38 mpg, but its real-world figures are a bit disappointing. Still, either CR-V variant is a worthy choice. Critics like Consumer Reports recognize the CR-V for its quiet nature and secure driving dynamics. 

“While the steering doesn’t give you a ton of information from the road, it tells drivers enough. Steering response doesn’t wane, even during sharp corners, which contributes to the car’s agility. Body roll is not excessive in ordinary driving. On the track, the CR-V was utterly secure. It made it through our avoidance maneuver at 52 mph without drama. In tight corners on the track, the CR-V showed predictable behavior with initial, but not premature, understeer, which turned into adjusting the cornering line before the stability control kicked in.”

Consumer Reports

Interior elements 

In addition to its refined performance, the CR-V also offers a sophisticated cabin. This Honda can comfortably seat five, and even its backseat is spacious. Additionally, the CR-V is a class leader regarding cargo room, thanks to its refrigerator-like shape. In total, the CR-V has 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space.

As with most options in the compact SUV realm, the CR-V comes with cloth seats. If you’d like to fancify your model’s experience, you can add amenities such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a driver’s seat with memory functions. 

Regarding in-car tech, the 2020 CR-V may be bare bones to some. On the bright side, it comes with a long list of advanced safety functions, including adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. However, it doesn’t come with as many modern infotainment gadgets. You have to upgrade to get features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.