How much does the 2021 Honda CR-V cost?

Prices have softened 2.89% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,613 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $23,346.90, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Honda CR-V a good car?

Yes — 4.79/5 owners rate it, and the expert rating is 7.83/10. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious and comfortable interior, excellent fuel economy, and reliable ownership experience. The feedback also points to a vehicle many buyers feel confident they can count on over the long term.

The trade-offs are familiar: the engine can feel underpowered during highway merging, and some shoppers wish for better sound insulation and a larger infotainment screen.

For you, that means the CR-V makes the most sense if you value everyday practicality, family-friendly space, and a low-stress commute more than excitement behind the wheel. It also lines up well with buyers who want a compact SUV that prioritizes safety and usability.

The market shows 32.3% of listings as good or great deals, so there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Honda CR-V reliable?

Owners rate it 4.79/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback repeatedly points to a reliable and highly rated vehicle, with many drivers describing it as a model they can count on for daily use and long-term ownership. That kind of language matters because it suggests the CR-V’s appeal goes beyond first impressions and into sustained dependability.

The expert evaluation also emphasizes a smooth, steady powertrain and a package built for predictable everyday driving, which supports the impression of trouble-free use. Honda’s standard safety and convenience approach further reinforces the sense that this is a vehicle designed to be easy to live with.

If you’re shopping used, the main long-term ownership risk is less about headline reliability and more about finding a well-kept example with consistent maintenance and no hidden wear.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Honda CR-V?

At 73.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs of prior repair work so you can separate a clean example from one that has been cosmetically refreshed.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is the most stripped-down version, with a tiny 5-inch screen and fewer convenience features than the rest of the lineup. Higher trims add a more upscale cabin feel, including richer interior materials and more chrome.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and CVT. It delivers smooth, steady acceleration rather than quick passing power, and FWD is standard while AWD is extra.
• Safety package: Honda Sensing is standard, and it includes a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is not standard on the LX.
• Infotainment: The base LX has a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth. Every other trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Touring adds navigation and a wireless phone charger.
• Fuel efficiency: FWD models are rated at 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. AWD models are rated at 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

Which 2021 Honda CR-V trim should I buy?

The 2021 Honda CR-V is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, Special Edition, EX, EX-L, Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The LX gives you the essentials, but it lacks the larger touchscreen and the blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.
• Sweet-spot trim: The EX is the best value pick because it adds the more useful infotainment setup and the blind spot monitoring system while staying well below the top trim.
• Premium/top trim: The Touring is the most fully equipped version, adding the strongest audio setup, navigation, and a wireless phone charger.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims are positioned as an off-road choice, so you should shop this model as a road-focused compact SUV.

Honda Sensing is standard across the lineup, but the LX misses blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Honda CR-V?

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,613 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.89% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,346.90, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Honda CR-V's resale value?

The current average of $24,553 sits slightly below last year's $25,284.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may also limit upside if you plan to resell soon. A softer current average often means future sellers need to be more realistic on asking price, especially if mileage or condition is average.

The good news is that the CR-V’s broad appeal and strong owner satisfaction help support demand over time. Well-kept examples should remain easier to move than less popular compact SUVs.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.79/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Honda CR-V safe?

The 2021 Honda CR-V earned both the IIHS Top Safety Pick award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Honda Sensing is standard, and it includes a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard only from the EX trim upward.

The main caveat is that it did not earn Top Safety Pick+ because of lower headlight scores and the updated side crash test. It also received an Acceptable rating for LATCH ease of use.

Should I buy a 2021 Honda CR-V or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.89% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.79/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out for standard Honda Sensing safety coverage across the lineup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,945, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,553 average.
• It emphasizes a strong mix of spaciousness, performance, and advanced technology.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger current-market balance of safety, satisfaction, and inventory, the 2021 is the better default choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more price-sensitive path and still delivers the core CR-V strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 7, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.