How much does the 2021 Honda CR-V cost?

Prices have softened 3.68% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,537 listings available, which suggests you have room to compare prices and conditions across the market.

If you find a listing below $23,317.48, 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, excellent fuel economy, and strong safety features. They also describe it as reliable and a model many buyers can count on for long-term satisfaction.

The trade-offs are familiar: the engine can feel underpowered in highway merging, and the cabin does not deliver the most upscale quietness or the largest infotainment screen.

That makes it a strong fit if you want a practical compact SUV that covers the basics well, especially for commuting, family use, and everyday versatility.

With 28.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still meaningful value in the market.

Is the 2021 Honda CR-V reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a vehicle that many drivers find reliable, highly rated, and dependable over time. That kind of language matters because it suggests the CR-V is the sort of SUV people expect to keep and trust for the long haul.

The expert test-drive notes also frame it as a sensible, proven crossover rather than a risky or experimental choice, with a reputation built on steady everyday usability.

Honda also emphasizes standard safety equipment across the lineup, which can reduce ownership stress if you value a well-equipped base vehicle.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about headline reliability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and not worn hard.

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

At 73.6% 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 price looks unusually attractive. Focus on condition, repair quality, and whether the vehicle’s equipment and safety systems work as expected.

Pay close attention to signs of prior bodywork, uneven panel gaps, tire wear, and interior wear that might suggest harder use than the listing implies.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX has a smaller 5-inch screen and fewer convenience features, while higher trims add a more upscale interior look, more chrome and wood accents, and better audio equipment.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and CVT, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available.
• Safety package: Honda Sensing is standard across the lineup and includes a 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 on the LX.
• Infotainment: The LX gets a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth, while every other trim has a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SMS text messaging functions.
• Fuel efficiency: Front-wheel-drive models are rated at 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, while all-wheel-drive 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:

• LX: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry price and can live with the smaller 5-inch screen and fewer convenience features. It still gets Honda Sensing, which makes it a strong safety-first starting point.
• Special Edition: This trim adds a better-equipped feel without jumping too far up the ladder, and it is a sensible step if you want more everyday comfort than the LX.
• EX: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
• EX-L: Choose this if you want a more premium cabin and a nicer audio setup, especially if you care about comfort and a more upscale feel.
• Touring: This is the top choice if you want the most features, including the strongest audio system, navigation, and a wireless phone charger.

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

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and deal activity to reward comparison shopping.

• Deal availability: 28.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,537 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.68% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,317.48, 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 $24,358 sits slightly below last year's $25,290.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that means resale value may depend more on condition, mileage, and trim than on broad market momentum.

If you buy well and keep the vehicle in strong shape, you may be better positioned to preserve value when it is time to sell. The current pricing trend also suggests there is still healthy demand, but not enough scarcity to push prices sharply higher.

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 crash test rating from NHTSA.

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

Honda Sensing is standard on every trim 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 caveat is that it did not reach the higher Top Safety Pick+ level because of lower headlight scores and the updated side crash test. The LX also misses blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, which becomes standard on the EX and stays standard above it.

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:

• 28.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.68% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.79/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 CR-V combines strong safety, standard Honda Sensing, and broad market availability.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $23,018, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,358 average.
• It adds engine and safety upgrades that improve fuel economy and value.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger current-market balance of price, inventory, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the better default choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the smarter budget path, especially if you find one in clean condition with the right equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.