The Honda CR-V has been around for quite a while. In fact, the first iteration of the Honda CR-V for sale arrived in the 1997 model year. Now in its sixth generation, this handy, flexible, and reliable SUV has gained quite a following.

In today’s market, such a seasoned model has plenty of what real-world drivers want. As is the case with every other vehicle, there are certain factors that would lead a driver to consider the CR-V: the size of the SUV, engine types, fuel economy ratings, and price tag are all important things to think about, of course, but if we’re truly being honest with ourselves, as drivers, there are certain features we just can’t compromise on when buying a new vehicle.

Luckily, the 2024 Honda CR-V is loaded with plenty of great things, taking SUV driving to the next level without sacrificing your budget or the joy of driving. So, without any further adieu, let's take a look at what Honda has done to make the 2024 CR-V one of the coolest cars on the market...

What’s New for 2024

2023 was a big year for the Honda CR-V, as this long-time favorite SUV kicked off its sixth generation with a full redesign. As part of this, the CR-V got a more spacious, people-friendly cabin and what experts have described as a bolder, more mature exterior appearance. These things have not changed for 2024; if anything, Honda has only accentuated the new era of CR-V with more things to love.

In 2023, the CR-V debuted Body Stabilizing Seats, which are designed to prevent fatigue by providing drivers with support in more ergonomically beneficial areas. Anyone who has sat in traffic without moving for a dozen minutes or more can appreciate the purpose of Body Stabilizing Seats. Rear passengers are no exception to the accommodations of the new CR-V’s interior, with a sprawling 41 inches of legroom at their disposal.

With so many impressive features already on board, not much has changed overall for the 2024 CR-V, though many features have been fine-tuned and refined for the new model year. One very big addition to the lineup, however, is the Sport-L trim. As the third hybrid-electric trim in the lineup, the 2024 CR-V Sport-L joins the Sport and Sport Touring hybrid trims to create a trifecta of exceptional hybrid CR-Vs.

Therefore, the new 2024 Honda CR-V lineup now consists of the LX, EX, EX-L, Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid trims. All but the Sport Touring Hybrid trim are offered in either front- or all-wheel drive configurations, as the Sport Touring Hybrid is exclusively offered in all-wheel drive. Impressively, both of the CR-V's available powertrains afford it the same spacious interior, which allows for up to 76.5 cu.ft. of cargo once the rear seats are folded.

Comfort, Convenience, & Safety

The three non-hybrid models introduce the 2024 CR-V lineup with class. Honda recognizes that many drivers have a budget to stick to when shopping for a brand-new vehicle. Therefore, the range of standard equipment across the lineup beats that of many competitors.

Take, for example, the standard safety and driver assistance technology package. Known as “Honda Sensing,” this suite's many features are standard on all CR-V trims, including a Collision Mitigation Braking System to prevent forward-traveling collisions and a Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Keeping Assist. The CR-V's competitors reserve several such features—like Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and the Traffic Sign Recognition System—to top-tier trims, making them inaccessible to budget-oriented drivers.

That’s not to say climbing the trims won’t unlock some very cool safety features within the CR-V lineup. Blind Spot Information System and Cross Traffic Monitor are added to the EX trim, while the EX-L trim has exclusive Low-Speed Braking Control technology. Beyond the abundant safety features, the 2024 CR-V includes a lot of helpful standard features, such as reclining rear seats with a 60/40 folding seatback and automatic LED headlights.

In fact, drivers don’t have to reach too far for luxury. Top-shelf desires—like a one-touch power moonroof with tilt functionality, heated front seats, and ten-way power adjusting drivers’ seats—are part of the second-level EX trim. Other lusher elements, like leather-trimmed seating, are exclusive to the EX-L trim, however.

The Honda CR-V manages to provide the latest and greatest tech updates while still providing an intuitive, driver-focused cockpit. This includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity, the latter two of which become wireless in the EX-L trim. The EX-L trim also has a few trim-topping goodies, like a 9.0-inch touchscreen with customizable shortcuts, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and an upgraded audio system.

So Many Choices

According to Honda, over 50% of their CR-V sales are hybrid models. With the addition of a third hybrid trim in 2024, those looking for a hybrid compact SUV may wish to give the CR-V a serious look.

Those concerned about the power and performance of a hybrid-electric vehicle versus a standard gasoline-powered one need not worry. Using an advanced fourth-generation two-motor system, the hybrid CR-V produces 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, which is actually far better than the standard gasoline powertrain’s 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. The fuel savings are also staggering, with all-wheel drive hybrid models making a combined 37 MPG compared to all-wheel drive gas-only models’ 29 MPG combined. In front-wheel drive, gas models get 30 MPG combined, while hybrid models get 40 MPG combined.

Certain features are exclusive to the CR-V’s hybrid models, such as a Sport mode that opens up the throttle. Additionally, the hybrid CR-V is more tech-forward, with features like a moonroof, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Monitor, and heated seats standard on all three trims. The Sport-L and Sport Touring trims both come equipped with a larger infotainment touchscreen, top-shelf audio experiences, and wireless phone charging, but the Touring trim includes a twelve-speaker Bose sound system with a subwoofer.

Other features, such as the Honda Sensing suite, remain the same across the powertrain options, ensuring that all 2024 Honda CR-V drivers have access to the best safety technology available. With the addition of the Sport-L trim to the lineup, many wonder if a mid-generation trim realignment may be in the works, opening up the future of the CR-V to loads of exciting opportunities.

See Yourself in a CR-V

While previous models of CR-V—though an agreeable vehicle with a reputation for ideal fuel economy, safety, and long-term reliability—offered few surprises, today’s CR-V is a little bolder, a little bigger, and more accommodating than ever.

Whether you drive an SUV for the interior space, the drive height, or the overall good time that comes with having just the right vehicle for all of your specifications, the CR-V manages to make an incredibly wide variety of drivers happy all at once.

Features on the 2024 Honda CR-V range from those that give us peace of mind (like the abundant standard safety features) to bringing us peace on the road (like the Body Stabilizing Seats). With six distinct trims to select from, drivers won’t have a problem finding the model that meets their exact expectations.