How the 2025 Honda CR-V Answers the Call of the Wild
April 28 2025 - Ben Kettle
Rear angle view of a red 2025 Honda CR-V EX driving on a bridge.

The Pacific Northwest is your playground when you're behind the wheel of the 2025 Honda CR-V. Whether your idea of a day off involves logging a couple dozen miles on your bicycle, exploring coastal waters, or crossing some must-see hiking trails off of your list, the CR-V is your go-to adventure ally. Between its ample cargo space, road-hugging design, and advanced all-wheel drivetrain, the CR-V is ready to tackle any trip you might be able to dream up. 

Drivers also have plenty of potent powertrains to choose from when shopping for a Honda CR-V for sale near Marysville, including a hybrid option that maximizes fuel efficiency while offering even more power than its gas-powered kin. If you spend your week looking forward to outdoor getaways and need a vehicle that can keep up with your active lifestyle, the Honda CR-V is worth a closer look. Let's review some of the highlights of the 2025 model and learn how the CR-V attracts those who are always looking for an excuse to explore the great outdoors.

Design

The CR-V was already a beloved compact crossover, but the debut of the sixth-generation model in 2023 saw Honda double down on everything there is to love about this adventurous SUV. A retuned hybrid engine and improvements to the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drivetrain represented some obvious highlights, but it was a larger body that really upped the CR-V's profile from a versatility perspective. 

The current CR-V is both wider and longer than the previous generation, which confers some real benefits in terms of off-road ability. Honda stretched the SUV by 2.7 inches, widened the front and rear track, and extended the wheelbase by 1.6 inches to make the sixth-gen CR-V the most capable and spacious version to date. These changes see the CR-V's max cargo volume grow to 76.5 cu.ft. and allow Honda to deliver some exceptional interior space for a compact model. 

That said, the impact on the CR-V's driving ability really makes the upsized SUV worthy of a closer look. By expanding the wheelbase and stance, the CR-V is now able to provide a smoother, more stable ride when encountering tough terrain, thanks to an improved center of gravity. Traction, cornering, and handling also get a boost, which should come in handy when you find yourself tackling off-road terrain, slaloming through traffic on I-5, or navigating tough winter weather. 

Cargo Space

The CR-V's ample cargo space—39.3 cu.ft. behind the rear seats and 76.5 cu.ft. with the back row stowed away—make this SUV particularly roomy, but it doesn't stop there. The 2025 CR-V is also available with roof rails on the Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid trims. In addition to giving the CR-V a bold new look, the roof rails also drastically up the SUV's carrying capacity, giving drivers the opportunity to bring along luggage, camping gear, kayaks, and any other outdoor accessories they might need for a weekend full of off-the-grid fun. 

Boasting a weight capacity of 165 lbs, the roof rails can even accommodate some of the smaller rooftop tents that have become an increasingly popular choice among outdoorsy drivers. A rooftop tent not only provides a smooth, level sleeping surface but also shields campers from soggy terrain and curious critters. When it comes time to depart after a couple of days spent roughing it, the CR-V's hands-free power tailgate will make it easy to pack up camp and make your way back to civilization with plenty of time to spare. 

The CR-V isn't rated to tow anything too large, with a maximum capacity of 1,500 lbs, but it can accommodate more than a few kayaks, surfboards, mountain bikes, or whatever other equipment you might need to get your adrenaline pumping. 

A white 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring driving down a snowy road.

Real-Time All-Wheel Drive

The CR-V's standard front-wheel drivetrain is surprisingly well-rounded and hard to beat in terms of pure efficiency, but if you're the type of driver that regularly finds themselves exploring some of the wilder reaches of the Pacific Northwest, Honda's Real-Time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system represents a rather obvious upgrade. 

Available on every 2025 trim and standard on the range-topping Sport Touring Hybrid, Real-Time AWD improves on the classic AWD formula with a predictive approach that can react to changing road conditions in the blink of an eye. First introduced in 2018, Real-Time AWD elevates the traditional AWD experience to provide a safe, secure ride no matter how foreboding that wet Washington weather might get. While normal AWD offerings only kick into action after slippage has already occurred, Real-Time AWD's Intelligent Control System is refreshingly proactive. 

The AWD technology constantly monitors more than a half-dozen performance-related metrics from steering angle, accelerator pedal position, and yaw rate to transmission gear, wheel speed, and more, which allows it to quickly send power to the rear wheels as soon as it detects even a small loss in traction. When the going isn't quite so rough, the AWD system will back off, reverting to FWD to maximize the CR-V's fuel economy. 

In addition to its innovative Real-Time AWD, the CR-V also features a Hill Descent Control feature that can automatically maintain the SUV's speed when descending a steep slope at lower speeds. With the crossover handling all the accelerating and braking duties, drivers are free to focus their attention on steering the CR-V through tricky downhill areas. 

Performance

The CR-V provides drivers with a satisfying synthesis of performance and efficiency thanks to its turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. With the ability to produce 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, this powertrain gives the CR-V plenty of pep while allowing it to deliver excellent fuel economy figures. The gas-powered CR-V is good for an EPA-estimated 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway, offering sedan-like efficiency while opening the door to the sort of flexibility that only an SUV can offer.[a]

Those seeking an even more efficient version of the 2025 CR-V should consider the hybrid powertrain, which leverages a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and one or two electric motors to produce 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Better yet, the CR-V Hybrid will make your pit stops few and far between, with 43 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway and the ability to travel up to 596 miles on a full tank of gas.[a]

A grey 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid driving down a winding road.

An Excellent SUV Option

The 2025 Honda CR-V is a tempting choice if you're the type of driver who sees muddy boots and a campfire-scented sweater as badges of honor. In addition to all the features listed above, the CR-V also boasts a robust suspension complete with MacPherson struts in the front, a multi-link setup in the rear, and a full arsenal of heavy-duty components that can withstand the rigors of a weekend spent exploring mountaintop fire towers or paddling through Possession Sound. 

On the technology front, this crossover offers all the cutting-edge comfort, convenience, and safety features drivers have come to expect from the Honda brand, from popular connectivity platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to USB-C ports and wireless charging that'll ensure your smartphone is always ready for an impromptu excursion. The 2025 CR-V might not be as seaworthy as your favorite kayak or able to handle the same jumps as your mountain bike, but it's still quite the adventure-ready vehicle. 


[a] 28 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg rating for 2WD LX, EX & EX-L trims. 26 city/31 highway/28 combined mpg rating for AWD LX, EX & EX-L trims. 43 city/36 highway/40 combined mpg rating for the 2WD Sport & Sport-L Hybrid trims. 40 city/34 highway/37 combined mpg rating for AWD Sport, Sport-L & Sport Touring Hybrid trims. Based on 2025 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age/condition (hybrid trims) and other factors.