In a May press release about the updated CR-V lineup, Honda said the “CR-V is America’s best-selling CUV over the last 28 years and continues to set sales records, surpassing 400,000 units last year—an all-time best for the model.” There are many reasons for the model’s popularity, some of which I covered in my review of the 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid. Another one I’ve learned by driving an older model is that the CR-V is a great road trip vehicle.
I’ve been on a lot of road trips in my life in a variety of vehicles, but I think I’ve put the bulk of that kind of mileage on my mother-in-law Liz’s 2022 CR-V EX-L. When it comes down to it, my wife’s Mazda CX-5 isn’t as roomy on the inside and my Hyundai Sonata doesn’t have enough cargo space. Within just a few years, I’ve driven the CR-V from metro Phoenix to Sedona and Flagstaff, Las Vegas, and Carlsbad, California. That’s not even counting all the times I’ve been a passenger in it on the way to places such as Jerome, Arizona, and on the way back from El Paso. What’s made it such a go-to vehicle when it’s time for my wife, son, mother-in-law, and me to get out of town?
LOW-KEY STYLING
In many ways, the Honda CR-V is well-rounded. It’s not too pricey, not too indulgent, not too sporty. Visually, it strikes a similar balance. As a crossover, it’s essentially a two-box design, but it has enough angles and curves to make it a little more interesting. At the same time, it’s not what I’d call a flashy vehicle—even in its lustrous Radiant Red Metallic finish. It’s easy to make good time to your destination when you don’t have people coming up to you at gas stations to ask questions about what you’re driving.
FREAKISH CARGO CAPACITY
I was impressed by the CR-V’s ability to swallow luggage and gear before I ever drove it. My MIL and my late FIL Hugo used to go on trips in it and I remember Hugo would always pack an absolutely giant duffel bag as well as two desktop computer monitors so he could work remotely. By the time Liz added her stuff, the rear cargo area of the CR-V was stacked to the ceiling. Sure, the rearward visibility was reduced to zero, but I marveled at my in-laws using every single one of the CR-V’s 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. I was also impressed by the sheer amount of stuff such a modestly sized vehicle could hold. These days, the CR-V has no problem fitting my son’s smaller travel stroller and enough luggage for a short trip.
COMFORT FOR ALL
Both rows of the CR-V EX-L’s Gray leather interior are a pleasant place to be. Up front, there’s a leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for the audio system and the adaptive cruise control (such a nice thing to have on an out-of-state trip), dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped shifter, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Brake Hold (great for when the flow of traffic slows to a trickle). Even when my son Hayden is riding in his bulky car seat in the back, my wife still has enough legroom in the shotgun seat.
The second row offers adult-sized legroom, a pair of HVAC vents in the back of the center console, fold-down center armrest with cup holders, and reclining seatbacks.
PLEASANT RIDE QUALITY
Thousands of miles driving and riding in the CR-V has shown me just how well Honda set up its suspension. Even on rough roads (especially the one to Vegas), it’s gentle and compliant without feeling floaty or sloppy.
RESPECTABLE POWER
My MIL’s front-wheel-drive CR-V has a turbocharged 1.5-liter I4 under the hood. Factory-rated at 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, and hooked to a CVT, it’s built for practicality, not speed. As modest as the CR-V’s engine may be, it’s never left me needing more, even on the uphill drive to Arizona’s “High Country.”
WALLET-FRIENDLY FUEL ECONOMY
No matter how much I enjoy a long drive with my family, I don’t want to extend it with frequent stops to gas up. Luckily, the ’22 CR-V with FWD has fuel economy figures of 28 mpg in the city, 34 on the highway, and 30 combined. That means more time for pounding out the miles, but fewer chances to get a cold fountain drink (sorry, My Love!).
Given how low the mileage on my MIL’s CR-V is, I envision my multigenerational family taking several more road trips in it—until Hayden has a sibling. Then it’ll be time for me to get the minivan of my dreams.
