Honda’s Civic, Accord and CR-V are all hitting home runs

In the ultracompetitive compact SUV segment, it takes something special to stand out. And after spending some time with the 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid, we can confidently say it absolutely does. Between its seamless hybrid powertrain, refined design and family-friendly practicality, this is the most compelling CR-V we’ve driven yet.

Shop Honda Accord, Civic and CR-V

Photo by Jason Bell

A familiar favorite, evolved

Let’s start with the styling. We really think this is the best the CR-V has looked in years. It’s grown a bit, and the proportions feel more substantial and SUV-like.

We’re not totally sold on the little fang-like design elements at the bottom of the front bumper in the Sport Touring trim, but overall, the exterior looks sharp and modern. It feels like Honda finally nailed the balance between conservative and sporty.

As someone who has always had a soft spot for the early CR-Vs — especially the manual transmission version from the early 2000s in Electron Blue Pearl — this new model feels like a worthy evolution of that legacy. My wife even used to drive one of the originals back in the day, and this one carries a lot of that same practicality and friendliness, just with a major upgrade in refinement.

Browse Honda Accord, Civic and CR-V listings on KSL Cars

Photo by Jason Bell

An interior that just makes sense

Stepping inside, the CR-V’s interior feels instantly familiar in a good way. It borrows heavily from the latest Civic and Accord with its clean lines, honeycomb mesh across the dash and toggle-style air vents. It’s modern and stylish without being overcomplicated.

My kids had plenty of room in the back seat — and they were excited to have rear air vents, which they’ve become surprisingly opinionated about. There’s also great cargo space in the back, even with the hybrid battery tucked under the floor. Please note that there is no spare tire, so you may want to pick one up from KSL Classifieds when planning longer journeys. 

We especially appreciate how wide and open the cabin feels. There’s lots of elbow and knee room in the front seats, and we love how the squared-off dashboard and big rectangular windshield give it excellent visibility and an airy vibe. It honestly feels a little like having your own first-class seat up front.

Browse Honda listings on KSL Cars

Photo by Jason Bell

Smooth, quiet and efficient

As a hybrid, the CR-V Sport Touring is super quiet, especially when pulling out of the driveway in full electric mode. My wife pointed out how nice it is not to disturb the neighbors (or sleeping kids!) when leaving early in the morning.

Throttle response is surprisingly quick, and the hybrid system makes it feel smoother and more refined than a lot of competitors. It’s not fast in a thrilling sense, but the power is more than adequate. Honda says it’s rated at 40 mpg in the city and 37 mpg combined, which is fantastic for a vehicle this practical.

Driving around town and on the freeway, the CR-V just feels natural. The steering is responsive, the ride is smooth and everything from the brakes to the infotainment works the way you expect it to. It’s one of those cars you can just hop in and feel comfortable with right away.

Search Honda Accord, Civic and CR-V listings

Photo by Jason Bell

Thoughtful features and real-world usefulness

One of the things we appreciate most about Honda is how well it integrates features that matter. This CR-V comes with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — all standard in the Sport Touring Hybrid trim. Even our personal car, which cost more than this, doesn’t have wireless CarPlay.

We also tested out the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist during a freeway run and came away impressed. The CR-V doesn’t overcorrect or feel intrusive like some systems do. Instead, it gives you a gentle nudge if you start to drift — a lot like a helpful reminder rather than a scolding.

And yes, the heated seats and steering wheel both get properly warm, which is always a win for Utah’s colder seasons.

Find Honda Accord, Civic and CR-V listings on KSL Cars

Photo by Jason Bell

Nostalgia meets functionality

My wife got to drive the CR-V even more than I did, and as someone who had a CR-V in high school, she was immediately drawn to it. She said it made her feel like a teenager again, cranking up old favorite songs and enjoying how easy it was to drive.

She loved how roomy it felt, how cold the air conditioning was (a huge improvement over early 2000s Hondas), and how practical it would be not just for us, but perhaps even for our kids when they reach driving age in a few years. That’s a testament to how approachable this SUV and other Hondas such as the Civic and Accord are: Great for teens, parents or anyone in between.

Photo by Jason Bell

Final thoughts: A solid contender worth considering

At under $43,000, the 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid delivers serious value for the money. It's efficient, comfortable, quiet and comes packed with useful features. It’s not the flashiest SUV in the segment, but that’s part of what makes it so appealing. It just works.

If you're cross shopping for other options, the CR-V definitely belongs on your list. For me, this might be the best CR-V yet — and that’s saying something.

Browse Hondas on KSL Cars

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.