Used Honda CR-V 2018-2023 reliability review

Few large SUVs are more practical than the Honda CR-V, and the hybrid version is a very tempting proposition.

What should I look for in a used Honda CR-V?

Check for dents and scratches to the bodywork, kerb damage to the alloy wheels and any rips or stains on the seat upholstery and carpets.

Is a used Honda CR-V reliable?

Used Honda CR-V 2018-2023 infotainment

In our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, the CR-V impressively placed fifth out of 24 cars in the large SUV class with a good overall score of 97.2%. It finished just below the Lexus NX and Toyota RAV4 but above nearly all of its other rivals.

Honda as a brand ranked fourth out of 31 manufacturers featured with an overall score of 96.6%. This placed it above nearly all of its major rivals except for Lexus and Suzuki.

Used Honda CR-V reliability: the owners' view

As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers generally praised the Honda CR-V for its dependability, though a few recurring issues were highlighted.

Some owners reported problems with the hybrid system, including warning lights appearing unexpectedly and an occasional loss of power. Others mentioned faults with the infotainment system, such as freezing screens and Bluetooth connectivity issues, though these were often resolved with software updates.

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Honda’s dealer network received mixed feedback. While many owners found service to be efficient and professional, a few expressed frustration with long wait times for parts, particularly for hybrid-related repairs. One owner reported needing multiple visits to resolve an electrical fault, while another mentioned a slow response from the dealership when diagnosing an engine issue.

Overall, the CR-V easily lives up to Honda’s reputation for reliability, but occasional electrical and hybrid-related faults, along with varying dealer service experiences, mean some owners have faced unexpected frustrations.

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Used Honda CR-V 2018-2023 boot

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About the writer

Mark Pearson

Name: Mark Pearson

Title: Used cars editor

Follow Mark Pearson on

Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.

Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.

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