How much does the 2021 Honda CR-V cost?

Prices have softened 2.57% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,498 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $23,345.41, 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 4.79/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.83/10. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the CR-V for its spacious and comfortable interior, excellent fuel economy, and dependable day-to-day ownership experience. The user feedback also points to long-term satisfaction and a reputation for being reliable and highly rated. On the trade-off side, the expert review notes uninspired styling and fairly pedestrian performance.

That makes the CR-V a strong fit if you want a practical compact SUV for family use, commuting, and everyday errands rather than something sporty or flashy. It also helps that 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals, giving you room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Honda CR-V reliable?

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

User feedback describes the CR-V as reliable, highly rated, and a vehicle many owners feel good about keeping for the long haul. The expert review also emphasizes a comfortable, capable crossover package that has had years to mature into a well-sorted design. Honda’s standard safety and driver-assistance package adds to the sense that this is a vehicle you can count on for routine use.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about a single glaring flaw and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by heavy daily use.

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

At 74.5% 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. Then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with incomplete service records. Focus your walkaround on panel alignment, tire wear, interior condition, and signs that the vehicle has been used hard.

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 more upscale interior materials, more chrome, and additional comfort and tech touches.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the same 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and CVT. It delivers smooth, steady acceleration, but it is not especially quick or engaging.
• 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. Every other trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SMS text messaging functions. The Touring adds navigation and wireless phone charging.
• 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 9 trim levels: LX, Special Edition, EX, EX-L, Touring, and four additional trims described in the expert review.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The LX is the most bare-bones choice. It lacks the larger touchscreen found on the rest of the lineup, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is not standard.
• Sweet-spot trim: The EX is the best value pick because it adds the larger infotainment setup, more everyday convenience, and the blind spot monitoring system that the LX misses.
• Premium/top trim: The Touring is the most fully equipped version, with the 300-watt audio system, navigation, and wireless phone charging.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims are positioned as an off-road choice.

Honda Sensing is standard across all trims, so even the base model gets a strong safety foundation.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,498 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.57% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,345.41, 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 $24,572 sits slightly below last year's $25,220.

That price movement suggests the CR-V has softened enough to create a more approachable entry point for used buyers. For a future seller, that can mean less immediate upside if you buy at the current average and try to resell quickly. Still, the model’s broad appeal and strong demand profile help support long-term value retention.

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

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

Honda Sensing is the standard driver-assistance suite, 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 starting on the EX, but not on the LX.

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:

• 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.57% 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 all trims.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $23,020, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,572 average.
• It offers a similarly practical, family-friendly compact SUV package with strong reliability and safety appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of current pricing, broad inventory, and standard safety equipment, the 2021 is the better all-around target. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers much of the same core CR-V appeal.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 31, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.