How much does the 2021 Honda CR-V cost?

Prices have softened 2.69% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 3,551 listings available, you have a solid amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $23,353.35, 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 safety features, spacious and comfortable interior, and excellent fuel economy. The CR-V also gets credit for being reliable and for delivering the kind of long-term satisfaction many shoppers want from a family SUV.

The main trade-offs are modest power during highway merging and a few missing niceties such as better sound insulation and a larger infotainment screen. That makes it a strong fit if you value practicality, comfort, and everyday usability more than excitement.

With 32.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s 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 points to a vehicle that feels reliable, highly rated, and well suited to buyers who want something they can count on over time. The expert review also emphasizes the CR-V’s smooth, steady everyday driving character and its predictable behavior on the road.

Honda’s safety and convenience packaging also helps the ownership experience feel more dependable, especially because the advanced driver-assistance suite is standard across the lineup. If you’re buying used, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t accumulated hidden wear.

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

At 74.3% 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 careful inspection of body panels, paint consistency, tires, brakes, and interior wear. Because the CR-V’s appeal depends heavily on safety, comfort, and everyday usability, condition matters as much as mileage. It’s also worth checking that the features you expect are actually present on the trim you’re considering.

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 look, including wood panels and more chrome, plus more color and material choices.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and CVT. It’s tuned for smooth, steady acceleration rather than quick passing power, and AWD is available for buyers who want extra traction.
• 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 on the LX, but it becomes standard on the EX and above.
• Infotainment: The base LX gets a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth. Every other trim gets a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SMS text messaging functions. The Touring adds satellite navigation with voice recognition 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 9 trim levels: LX, Special Edition, EX, EX-L, Touring, and the remaining trims explicitly referenced in the source text.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The LX is the most basic choice, and it lacks the larger touchscreen, the richer audio setup, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
• Sweet-spot trim: The EX is the best value pick because it adds the larger infotainment setup, more audio equipment, and the blind spot monitoring system while keeping the CR-V’s core strengths intact.
• Premium/top trim: The Touring is the most feature-rich choice, adding the strongest audio system, navigation with voice recognition, and a wireless phone charger.

Honda Sensing is standard across the lineup, so even the lower trims get the core safety package.

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: 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,551 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.69% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,353.35, 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 $24,610 sits slightly below last year's $25,290.

That price movement suggests the CR-V has softened enough to help used buyers now, but it also means future sellers may need to stay realistic on asking price. If you buy well today, you’re starting from a more favorable entry point than last year’s average. Strong demand for practical, safety-focused compact SUVs should still help support resale interest.

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, 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, but it becomes standard on the EX and stays standard as you move up the lineup.

The main caveat is that it did not reach the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ level 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:

• 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.69% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.79/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It pairs a 7.83/10 expert rating with standard Honda Sensing safety equipment across the lineup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $23,079, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,610 average.
• It offers a strong mix of spaciousness, safety, and improved fuel economy.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the better pick if you want the stronger current-market mix of safety, satisfaction, and inventory choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly alternative and still delivers much of the CR-V formula.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.