2020 Honda CR-V: America's favorite crossover gets significant upgrades in technology, features and LX powertrain

The refreshed 2020 Honda CR-V, an updated take on America’s most popular crossover, begins arriving in dealerships tomorrow with a refreshed exterior design, new and upgraded features, and a new turbocharged powertrain for the popular LX trim, along with standard Honda Sensing^® technologies on all grades. With cumulative U.S. sales now topping the 5-million-unit mark, the 2020 model looks to extend CR-V’s position as the best-selling crossover in America over the past 22 years.

The 2020 CR-V goes on sale with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price starting at $25,050¹ (excluding destination and handling charges) for the front-wheel-drive LX model, an increase of just $600 despite the addition of Honda Sensing and a more powerful and efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged engine to the LX trim. An all-new, even more powerful and fuel-efficient hybrid-electric CR-V will join the lineup early next year.

All 2020 CR-Vs benefit from new front and rear exterior styling cues, including a redesigned front bumper and grille, and new headlight designs. EX and EX-L trims also get redesigned alloy wheels, while Touring grades get new 19-inch (+1 in.) wheels and tires. The 2020 model also debuts three new exterior colors: Radiant Red Metallic, Sonic Gray Pearl, and Aegean Blue Pearl.

Inside, CR-V’s spacious and tech-savvy cabin gets a redesigned center console with more conveniently located USB ports and more flexible storage space, while the line-topping CR-V Touring adds a heated steering wheel and wireless smartphone charging.

Mechanically, the biggest change to the 2020 CR-V is the addition of the 1.5-liter turbocharged direct-injected engine for the popular LX trim, which replaces a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine. For the LX, this means more power (+6 horsepower), a flatter torque curve (179 lb.-ft. @ 2000-5000 rpm vs. 180 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm) and a higher EPA fuel economy rating (+2 mpg city/highway/combined).

Importantly, the CR-V LX also gets Honda Sensing^® safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment, extending these popular features throughout the CR-V lineup.

2020 CR-V Pricing & EPA Data

Model / Trim / Drivetrain	MSRP¹	MSRP¹ Including $1,095 Destination Charge	EPA Mileage Rating (City/Hwy/Combined)²
CR-V LX (2WD)	$25,050	$26,145	28 / 34 / 30
CR-V LX (AWD)	$26,550	$27,645	27 / 32 / 29
CR-V EX (2WD)	$27,560	$28,655	28 / 34 / 30
CR-V EX (2WD)	$29,060	$30,155	27 / 32 / 29
CR-V EX-L (2WD)	$30,050	$31,145	28 / 34 / 30
CR-V EX-L (AWD)	$31,550	$32,645	27 / 32 / 29
CR-V Touring (2WD)	$33,250	$34,345	28 / 34 / 30
CR-V Touring (AWD)	$34,750	$35,845	27 / 32 / 29

ADVANCED POWERTRAINS

All gasoline-powered 2020 CR-Vs now feature a 1.5-liter turbocharged direct-injected powerplant rated at 190 horsepower (SAE net) and 179 lb.-ft. of torque (SAE net), delivering refined and responsive performance across the engine’s full operating range. Available in front-wheel-drive or with Honda Real Time all-wheel drive, power is transmitted through a sporty continuously variable transmission (CVT) with smooth-shifting Honda G-Shift control logic.

More information on the CR-V Hybrid’s two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain will be available closer to when it goes on sale early next year.

2020 Honda CR-V Powertrain Details

	2020 CR-V LX, EX, EX-L, Touring
Engine Type	Turbocharged In-Line 4-Cylinder
Displacement (cc)	1498
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net)	190 @ 5600
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm SAE net)	179 @ 2000-5000
Bore and Stroke (mm)	73 x 89.5
Compression Ratio	10.3:1
Maximum Boost (psi)	18.5
Fuel Injection	Direct
Valvetrain	16-Valve DOHC w/dual VTC
Drive-by-Wire^™ Throttle System	•
Low-Inertia Mono-Scroll Turbocharger	•

SOPHISTICATED EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR STYLING

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s more upscale and distinctive presence comes courtesy of a new blackout grille, and broad new openings for the fog lights. EX, EX-L and Touring trims get new, round LED fog lights. The added sophistication continues in back with dark-tinted taillight lenses, a dark chrome tailgate garnish and more darkly tinted rear glass. EX and EX-L trims get newly designed 18-inch wheels with a dark gray and machined finish, while the Touring trim’s new, larger 10-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels and tires (+1 inch) raise the bar on the Touring’s stance and upscale demeanor. Touring trims also get new chrome exhaust finishers. Three new exterior colors come to the CR-V – Sonic Gray Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, and Aegean Blue Pearl – expanding to eight the number of color choices available for CR-V.

Inside, all 2020 Honda CR-Vs get a redesigned center console that is easier to use, with more flexible storage options, while CR-V Touring trims now come standard with Qi-compatible wireless cell phone charging. Other in-vehicle technologies include a color TFT driver information interface (DII) center meter display, available 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio interface with Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^™ integration, and an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System^™. Additional available tech includes remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, an Electric Parking Brake (EPB), rear USB charging ports, front passenger seat with 4-way power adjustment and driver’s seat with 8-way power adjustment and 4-way power lumbar support, and heated front seats.

ADVANCED SAFETY AND DRIVER-ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Beginning with the 2020 model year, all Honda CR-V trims come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. Honda Sensing^® includes Collision Mitigation Braking System^™ (CMBS^™) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with low-speed follow and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). Additional driver-assistive technologies include the available blind spot information (BSI), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and Auto High Beam headlights.

The 2020 CR-V also incorporates the latest generation of Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering^™ (ACE^™) body structure and targets the highest collision safety ratings. These include a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)³ and a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a SUPERIOR rating for frontal crash prevention with Honda Sensing.

SAFETY & DRIVER ASSISTIVE FEATURES	LX	EX	EX-L	Touring
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) (HS)	•	•	•	•
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) (HS)	•	•	•	•
Collision Mitigation Braking System^™ (CMBS^™) (HS)	•	•	•	•
Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) (HS)	•	•	•	•
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) (HS)	•	•	•	•
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (HS)	•	•	•	•
Vehicle Stability Assist^™ (VSA^®) with Traction Control	•	•	•	•
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	•	•	•	•
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)	•	•	•	•
Brake Assist	•	•	•	•
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)	•	•	•	•
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)	•	•	•	•
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera	With guidelines	With dynamic guidelines	With dynamic guidelines	With dynamic guidelines
Honda LaneWatch^™		•	•	•
Advanced Compatibility Engineering^™ (ACE^™) Body Structure	•	•	•	•
Advanced Front Airbags	•	•	•	•
Front Side Airbags	•	•	•	•
Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor	•	•	•	•
3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions	•	•	•	•
Front 3-Point Seat Belts w/ Automatic Tensioning System	•	•	•	•
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH): Lower Anchors (2^nd-Row Outboard), Tether Anchors (2^nd-Row All)	•	•	•	•
Driver’s and Front Passenger’s Seat-Belt Reminder	•	•	•	•
Child-Proof Rear Door Locks	•	•	•	•

(HS)=feature is a component of the Honda Sensing^® suite of safety and driver-assistive features

CHASSIS TECHNOLOGY

The 2020 Honda CR-V maintains the same class-leading agility and confidence-inspiring handling as before. Its front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension use specially tuned low-friction dampers, with both FWD and AWD models including tubular front and solid rear stabilizer bars that promote responsive turn-in and flatter cornering. Dual-pinion, variable-ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS) also contributes to the CR-V’s direct and satisfying steering feel.

Model Trim Level Summary

CR-V LX

Honda Sensing (new to trim)

Auto high/low beams (new to trim)

1.5-liter engine (new to trim)

Idle Start/Stop

12V power outlet

USB input

Black exterior door handles

Black exterior mirrors

17-inch alloy wheels

Automatic climate control

Multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines

Manual seats

4-speaker audio system

(New features for 2020 in bold)

EX (add or replace from LX)

LED Fog lights

HD Radio

One-touch moonroof with tilt feature

Blind spot information

18-inch wheels

8-way power driver’s seat

Privacy glass

7-inch Display Audio system with six-speakers

Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^™ integration

Smart Start / Smart Entry

Security system

Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

Remote start

Heated front seats

XM Radio

Mirror turn signals

Heated outside mirrors

Body-color door handles

Rear Cross Traffic Monitor

2 Rear USB

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Front tweeters (+2 speakers)

Ambient lights

Cargo cover

Body-colored mirrors

Auto up/down windows

Variable intermittent windshield wipers

Passenger-side seatback pocket

(New features for 2020 in bold)

EX-L (add or replace from EX)

Leather seating surfaces

Power tailgate

4-way power passenger seat

Auto dimming rearview mirror

Driver’s seat memory controls

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Leather-wrapped shifter

HomeLink^®

Rear tweeters (+2 speakers)

Touring (add or replace from EX-L)

19-inch alloy wheels (+1-inch)

Heated steering wheel

Wireless charging

Updated LED high and low-beam headlights

Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System^™

Roof rails

Rain-sensing wipers

Hands-free access power tailgate

Chrome exhaust

9-speaker premium audio (+1 speaker)

SOURCE: Honda

2020 Honda CR-V: America’s favorite crossover gets significant upgrades in technology, features and LX powertrain

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