Is the Base Trim Sufficient for Your Needs?

The 2024 Honda CR-V maintains the reliability and practicality of its predecessors. With a starting price of $29,500 for the base model, the 2024 Honda CR-V LX presents an appealing option that raises the question: Is it necessary to opt for a more expensive trim? The LX variant offers both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive as an option for an additional $1,500. While it may lack certain luxurious features, such as leather upholstery, the CR-V LX provides numerous advantages.

All vehicle specifications are sourced from Honda, while fuel economy figures are sourced from the EPA. Prices quoted exclude tax, license, registration, and the destination charge.

Honda CR-V Trims Overview

CR-V LX

The CR-V LX is the most basic and economical trim level available. It features simple specifications, such as 17-inch steel wheels with plastic covers and manual seat adjustments. While it lacks some desirable features found in higher trims, like a tilting moonroof, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (instead providing a wired connection), and a blind-spot monitoring system, the LX trim still includes the Honda Sensing safety suite. This includes features like adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation, and traffic jam assist.

CR-V EX

The CR-V EX offers more standard and optional features compared to the LX. This trim includes 18-inch “Sparkle Silver Metallic” wheels, adding a touch of class beyond the steel wheels of the base model. The EX trim and all others above it come standard with blind-spot monitoring and heated power side mirrors. Additionally, the EX features a 240-watt audio system with six speakers, providing two extra speakers compared to the LX.

CR-V Sport Hybrid

The Sport Hybrid trim shares many standard features with the EX, coupled with a hybrid powertrain. The 18-inch Sparkle Silver Metallic wheels and six-speaker audio system are also standard in this trim. However, the key difference lies in the hybrid powertrain, which combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor to deliver enhanced horsepower and improved fuel economy—details of which will follow.

CR-V EX-L

The “L” in EX-L indicates luxury, with this trim level featuring additional convenience and upscale features. This tier, along with the higher trims, comes equipped with parking sensors and a more convenient wireless connection for Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Comfort finds upgrades through a power tailgate with programmable height, a 320-watt audio system with eight speakers, and wireless phone charging functionality.

CR-V Sport-L Hybrid

The CR-V Sport-L Hybrid incorporates all the features found in the EX-L while offering a hybrid powertrain. Sharing the same powertrain as the regular Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid, it boasts increased power and better fuel efficiency compared to non-hybrid variants. As part of the sporty enhancements, this trim swaps the EX-L’s body-color mirrors for gloss black versions, adds dual chrome exhaust tips, and features gloss black roof rails.

CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid

As the most luxurious variant, the Sport Touring Hybrid includes the same hybrid engine found in its counterparts but offers every premium feature available for the CR-V. It is fitted with the largest wheels at 19 inches and comes with amenities such as a hands-free power tailgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, expanded interior ambient lighting, and a heated steering wheel.

CR-V LX Exterior: Not Much To Excite

The Honda CR-V has a conservative exterior design. In a basic LX configuration and a common shade like silver or white, it might blend into the background. However, it is not unattractive; rather, it simply doesn’t stand out visually.

Overall, the CR-V LX’s design is appealing with its large sporty grille and LED headlights, complemented by black trim. The flowing body lines lead to the rear, where the LED taillights are cleverly integrated into the tailgate. The LX model is modern enough to remain competitive with other vehicles in its category, thanks in part to its LED elements and black accents. Standard features include an active-shutter grille, a hood damper, and remote entry, while higher trims offer upgrades like chrome exhaust tips and smart entry with walk-away auto-lock.

CR-V LX Interior: Basic But Functional

Honda hasn’t published official images of the CR-V LX. The trim pictured above is the Sport Touring with the same basic interior layout, but extra features like dual-zone climate control and a larger touchscreen interface.

The base CR-V model falls short on interior features. While the LX comes with automatic climate control, all other trims enjoy dual-zone automatic climate control. Additionally, the LX lacks illuminated front vanity mirrors, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and offers manual seat adjustments, whereas the other trims have power seating. However, Honda does include essential components like a seven-inch touchscreen, center console ambient lighting, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Importantly, the LX’s safety features are commendable for an economical SUV, offering:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning
• Traffic jam assist
• Drive attention monitoring
• Lane-keeping assist
• Road departure mitigation
• Collision mitigation braking
• Traffic sign recognition

Powertrain: No Compromise Compared To Pricier Gas Trims

The lowest-priced CR-V, the LX trim, does not skimp on performance, as it shares its powertrain with the EX and EX-L trims. Each of these three variants houses a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine is available with both front- or all-wheel-drive options. Naturally, this choice impacts fuel efficiency: the front-wheel drive models achieve 28/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined, while the 2024 Honda CR-V LX AWD variant offers 27/32/29 mpg. In all mechanical aspects, the specifications of the 2024 Honda CR-V LX align with those of other non-hybrid models.

The Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid models feature a larger 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine—albeit without turbocharging—paired with electric motors, resulting in a combined power output of 204 horsepower. These hybrids can also be configured with either FWD or AWD, with the former offering outstanding figures of 43/36/40 mpg, while AWD brings those figures to 40/34/37 mpg. Though a more significant difference exists between FWD and AWD options, the hybrids deliver substantially better mileage than their turbocharged counterparts.

CR-V LX Vs. Toyota RAV4 And Mazda CX-5

The CR-V LX competes directly with the Toyota RAV4 LE and the Mazda CX-5 2.5S. Here’s how these three base compact crossovers compare.

2024 Toyota RAV4 LE

The Toyota RAV4 LE closely rivals the Honda CR-V. Priced a bit lower, it boasts a larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the CR-V in power. However, both SUVs offer similar fuel economy. Notably, Honda captures an edge in cargo capacity, offering 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats down, against the RAV4’s 69.8 cubic feet.

Toyota hasn’t published official pictures of the RAV4 LE. The RAV4 XSE is pictured above.

2024 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Select

As the name suggests, the base Mazda CX-5 features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. While one might anticipate superior fuel efficiency due to the relatively lower power, the Mazda actually falls short compared to the CR-V. This discrepancy is partly due to its standard all-wheel-drive system. Given the similar price range but less power and efficiency, the Honda comes out ahead. However, the Mazda does provide a more premium experience from the driver’s seat.

Mazda hasn’t published official pictures of the base CX-5. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo is pictured above.

Summary: Is The Base Honda CR-V Worth It?

If you have a limited budget, consider the base model Honda CR-V LX as a viable option, though be ready to sacrifice some basic features. The LX opts for manual seat adjustments and features a four-speaker audio system, keeping things straightforward. At least it still includes essential safety features, but misses out on even basic parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. Unless having a brand-new vehicle is your top priority, it might be worth investing the same amount in a higher trim used CR-V from recent years.

How much should I pay for a Honda CR-V LX in 2024?

The MSRP for the Honda CR-V LX is $29,500, but buyers should anticipate added destination charges and any additional options, bringing the total to slightly above $30,000 prior to tax.

What is the difference between the 2024 EX and LX?

The primary distinction between the EX and LX trims lies in the greater array of options and features available with the EX.

What does LX mean on a Honda CR-V?

The designation “LX” on a Honda model signifies that it is the base trim level.

Does the 2024 CR-V LX have a remote start system?

All trim levels of the 2024 Honda CR-V come equipped with a standard remote start system.

Source:
EPA,
Honda
,
Toyota
,
Mazda