How much does the 2021 Honda CR-V cost?

Prices have softened 3.13% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,616 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping. If you find a listing below $23,344.99, 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 — the 2021 Honda CR-V earns a 4.79/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious and comfortable interior, the outstanding safety features, and the excellent fuel economy. They also describe it as reliable and highly rated, which supports its appeal for long-term ownership. On the trade-off side, the engine can feel short on power during highway merging, and some drivers wish for better sound insulation and a larger infotainment screen.

That fits the CR-V’s role as a practical compact SUV for families and daily commuting, rather than a vehicle built around excitement. With 31.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop carefully.

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, highly rated, and long-term satisfying ownership experience. The expert review also frames the CR-V as a comfortable, capable crossover package that has had its wrinkles smoothed out over time, which reinforces its dependability for everyday use. Honda’s standard safety packaging across the lineup also supports confidence in how the vehicle is set up for routine ownership.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about a known mechanical weak point and more about finding a well-kept example that has been maintained consistently.

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

At 74% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection is especially useful here, since condition can vary a lot from one listing to another. Focus on signs of wear, repair quality, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim you expect.

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 with wood panels and more chrome, while the LX also has the most limited color selection.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and CVT. It delivers smooth, steady acceleration rather than quick performance, and AWD is an extra-cost option on most trims.
• Safety package: Honda Sensing is standard across the lineup and 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 LX gets a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth, while every other trim has a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Touring trim adds navigation with voice recognition and a wireless phone charger.
• Fuel efficiency: FWD models are rated at 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, while 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 is the value play, 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 all-around choice because it adds the 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and blind spot monitoring.
• Premium/top trim: The Touring brings the most upscale tech, including the 300-watt audio system, navigation with voice recognition, and a wireless phone charger.

Honda Sensing is standard across the lineup, so even the lower trims get a strong safety foundation.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting deep distress pricing.

• Deal availability: 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,616 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.13% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,344.99, 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 $24,527 sits slightly below last year's $25,321.

That softer pricing can help you buy more carefully now, but it also means future sellers may face a more competitive market if prices stay under pressure. The CR-V’s strong owner satisfaction should help support demand, though, especially among shoppers who prioritize practicality and safety. If you keep mileage, condition, and maintenance history in good shape, you should be better positioned when it’s time to sell.

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 a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

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

Honda Sensing is standard across all trims and 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. The main trim-level gap is blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, which is not standard on the LX but becomes standard on the EX and above.

The main caveat is that it did not reach Top Safety Pick+ status because of lower headlight scores and the updated side crash test. It also received an Acceptable rating for LATCH ease of use, so child-seat shoppers should pay close attention during installation.

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:

• 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.13% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.79/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines standard Honda Sensing safety with a spacious cabin and strong everyday practicality.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,958, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,527 average.
• It improves fuel economy and safety while keeping the same practical CR-V formula.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of current-year pricing, safety, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the better target. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the smarter value-oriented alternative, especially if you find one in good condition with the right equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 14, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.