“Honda is a very reliable brand. Affordable too. The CRV is a wonderful choice for the winter”
2021 Honda CR-V: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2021 Honda CR-V is a new gas-only Special Edition trim between the LX and EX. Honda also drops the Hybrid LX, while the rest of the lineup largely carries over from 2020.
About the 2021 Honda CR-V
5th generation CR-V (2017-2022), after the 2020 update; 2021 is a minor lineup-adjustment year and the second full U.S. model year for CR-V Hybrid.
Honda positions the CR-V as a compact SUV that blends family-friendly space, everyday comfort, and a more upscale feel than many mainstream rivals. In Honda’s own 2021 brochure language, it is “paving the way for premium utility,” with the emphasis on roomy seating, useful cargo flexibility, easy-to-live-with tech, available AWD, and an efficient hybrid alternative. For most shoppers, the CR-V’s appeal is not rugged off-road hardware but a polished, practical cabin and easy daily use.
The 2021 lineup starts with the simple, safety-focused LX, while the new Special Edition adds heated front seats, remote start, and smartphone integration without stepping up to the EX. EX-L focuses on cabin comfort with leather-trimmed seats and a power tailgate, while Touring adds built-in navigation, premium audio, and a hands-free power tailgate.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The hybrid powertrain is dropped from the LX trim, making EX the starting point for the 2021 CR-V Hybrid. The gas and hybrid systems themselves carry over without a lineup-wide hardware change.
Styling
The new gas-only Special Edition trim gets 17-inch gloss-black alloy wheels. There is no broader front- or rear-end redesign.
Tech
The new Special Edition adds remote start, smart entry with push-button start, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
2021 Honda CR-V specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, i-VTEC, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, i-VTEC, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, i-VTEC, 2.0 Liter / 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT / Automatic, eCVT | Automatic, CVT | Automatic, CVT / Automatic, eCVT | Automatic, eCVT / Automatic, CVT | Automatic, CVT |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas / Hybrid | Gas | Gas / Hybrid | Hybrid / Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 28–40 mpg | 28 mpg | 28–40 mpg | 28–40 mpg | 28 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 34–35 mpg | 34 mpg | 34–35 mpg | 34–35 mpg | 34 mpg |
| Horsepower | 190 hp | 190 hp | 190 hp | 190 hp | 190 hp |
| Torque | 129–179 lb-ft | 179 lb-ft | 129–179 lb-ft | 129–179 lb-ft | 179 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 68.7–75.8 cu-ft | 75.8 cu-ft | 68.7–75.8 cu-ft | 68.7–75.8 cu-ft | 75.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 40.4 in | 40.4 in | 40.4 in | 40.4 in | 40.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||
| Privacy Glass | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | |||||
| Bluetooth | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| USB Ports | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Honda CR-V?
The biggest change is the new gas-only Special Edition trim. It sits between LX and EX and adds popular comfort and smartphone features to the more basic CR-V package.
Is the 2021 Honda CR-V significantly different from the 2020 model?
No, the 2021 CR-V is a minor lineup update rather than a redesign. Its engines, overall styling, cabin layout, and standard driver-assistance foundation carry over from 2020.
What does the 2021 CR-V Special Edition add over the LX?
The 2021 Special Edition adds heated front seats, remote start, smart entry with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has 17-inch gloss-black alloy wheels.
Does the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid come in LX trim?
No, the 2021 CR-V Hybrid does not come in LX trim. Honda drops the previous Hybrid LX, so EX becomes the entry trim for the hybrid lineup.
Did the 2021 Honda CR-V get new engines or a new safety suite?
No, the 2021 CR-V keeps the same basic powertrains and driver-assistance foundation as 2020. Gas models retain the 190-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, and hybrid models retain the two-motor 2.0-liter hybrid system.
2021 Honda CR-V Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Honda CR-V.
4.2
2021 Honda CR-V
(7,148 reviews)
“Driver assist and phone connectivity are amazing and the car is a pleasure to drive! It almost drives itself when you use cruise control and driver assist together. If I get distracted, I can count on the car to keep me safe. I love it! The metallic red exterior is beautiful! We named her “Jewel".”
“Great gas mileage, high reliability, value for your money, roomy comfort and numerous safety features make the Honda CRV hybrid the perfect vehicle for many drivers.”