CR-V is the best-selling vehicle in Honda’s lineup. The compact crossover class is dominating the market, so there is no surprise why the carmaker is paying so much attention to its sales leader. The 2021 Honda CR-V will be redesigned and changes include a fresh look, more technology inside the vehicle, and possibly a new engine. This season we got only a drivetrain lineup update and the next one will bring more serious changes.
In 2019, Honda sold nearly 400k CR-Vs in the US only, plus 200,000 units in China. Without a doubt, the redesign is a top priority for the Japanese carmaker. Still, the release date and other details about the 2021 Honda CR-V are still unavailable. But, when the crossover makes the first appearance, it will cause an immediate boom.
Competition
The situation in the most popular segment in the automotive world is more interesting than ever. Not only that all carmakers are competing, but the frequency of updates is shorter and shorter. Now, we see new editions every couple of years. For example, the current CR-V was launched in 2018 and after three years there comes the first redesign.
Rivals won’t let it go. The only model that sells faster than CR-V is Toyota Rav4. After Honda matched the incredible fuel economy of its hybrid, Rav4 is getting the Prime edition with the PHEV system. Another important model is coming next year as an all-new vehicle – Ford Escape. Other competitors are not close to 300k sales per annum, but there are a lot of buyers opting for the luxury class, where Cadillac XT5, Mercedes GLC, and Audi Q5 are packed with premium equipment.
2021 Honda CR-V Specs
The new unit for the current edition will be offered on the 2021 Honda CR-V. A 1.5-liter turbo-four is producing 190 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. The crossover is not the best choice if you are about to tow a lot of cargo. Its capacity is limited to 1,500 pounds. Buyers can choose between a front- and all-wheel drive. The CVT is a power router in both cases. Drivers can switch on the Sport mode for a better grip. The CR-V returns 28/34 mpg, which is more than the average for this class.
2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Another update under the hood brought a hybrid powerplant. Engineers combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder drivetrain with a pair of electric batteries. One motor per each axle is making the AWD very efficient with the gas mileage over 40 mpg. The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid also produces more power than the conventional unit (212 hp and 232 lb-ft).
Honda will continue the development of this system and we could see the plug-in model in the future. However, it is not likely to happen in 2021. Toyota Rav4 Prime is setting challenges to its rivals, and we still don’t know what Ford Escape will deliver. The Blue Oval company launched an all-electric crossover last year and it could be brought to the compact segment.
2021 Honda CR-V Redesign Changes
The CR-V made a stunning debut back in 2017. The styling is still fresh, so we don’t know why would Honda update its minion so soon. Nevertheless, fans can expect changes on the front fascia that will make 2021 Honda CR-V more aggressive. Also, body parts are going to take more aluminum to drop the overall weight. Dimensions will remain the same. CR-V is 180 inches long. Its weight is between 3,300 and 3,500 pounds. The crossover offers nearly 40 cubic feet behind rear seats. When pushed back, the cargo capacity drops to 37 cu.ft. The folded back bench provides 76 cubic feet of cargo space.
Trim Levels
The base 2021 Honda CR-V will offer more features. Still, the Bluetooth connection remains standard, and we expect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to be available right from the start. Honda Sensing system is getting improvements and we will see the debut of the new equipment on the compact crossover. The EX model is spicing it up with a power moonroof as a highlight of the package. Larger wheels enhance the appearance, while the interior comes packed with a large touchscreen display and heated front buckets.
If you want a surround sound, the EX-L provides that with the 8-speaker system. Audio enhancement is not the only highlight since the interior is offering wireless charging and leather upholstery. Still, the 2021 Honda CR-V Touring is the most exclusive package in the lineup with a hands-free power tailgate, powerful audio, ventilated seats, navigation, and many other features.
2021 Honda CR-V Release Date
The redesign will definitely modify the price of the 2021 Honda CR-V. Well, we don’t expect the crossover to become cheaper. However, precise pricing will be known when the vehicle debuts. The lack of spy photos is putting a doubt over the release date. Fans are probably expecting the CR-V to show off in Detroit in June. But, it is likely that the new model is debuting closer to the end of 2020.
