DecodedCars2016 Honda CR-V
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD LX/Se/EX/EX-L/Touring, 4dr SUV FWD LX
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 185 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 26 city / 32 hwy
- Length
- 179.5 in
- Curb weight
- 3,375–3,497 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 18% better than the average 2016 small SUV (24.6 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 185 hp, versus about 240 hp for similar 2016 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Honda CR-V is a small SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 180 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,497 lb (4dr SUV AWD LX/Se/EX/EX-L/Touring).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 32 highway), 18% better than the 2016 small SUV average of 24.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 394 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2016
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 CR-V — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 CR-V →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Alliston, Ontario · East Liberty, Ohio
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 CR-V configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD LX/Se/EX/EX-L/Touring | 179.5 in | 71.7 in | 65 in | 103.1 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,497 lb | 58/42 |
| 4dr SUV FWD LX | 179.5 in | 71.7 in | 64.6 in | 103.1 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,375 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V 2WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 32 / 29 | +18% | $2,300 | 309 |
| CR-V 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 31 / 27 | +17% | $2,500 | 326 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Honda CR-V.
Similar 2016 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Honda CR-V (this car) | 29 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 | 32 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Hyundai Tucson | 28 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Subaru Forester | 27 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2016 Kia Sportage | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Engine · May 4, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V305000 · 16 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Honda CR-V vehicles that recently received a replacement engine. The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance.
- Risk
- The reduced performance may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace the incorrect components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KF6.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Oct 29, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V714000 · 515 vehicles
- Problem
- American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CR-V vehicles manufactured October 12, 2015, to October 19, 2015. The metal housing surrounding the driver's air bag inflator in these vehicles may have been manufactured incorrectly.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began in November 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda'a number for this recall is JV9.
Not every 2016 Honda CR-V is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Honda CR-V buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 101 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 65 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Electrical System — 63 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 19,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Honda CR-V. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other CR-V years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 CR-V | 40 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 CR-V | 40 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 177 |
| 2025 CR-V | 40 | 184.6 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 290 |
| 2024 CR-V | 40 | 184.6 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 481 |
| 2023 CR-V | 40 | 184.6 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 633 |
| 2022 CR-V | 38 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 348 |
| 2021 CR-V | 38 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 444 |
| 2020 CR-V | 38 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 444 |
| 2019 CR-V | 30 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 1,107 |
| 2018 CR-V | 30 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 2,161 |
| 2017 CR-V | 30 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 1,777 |
| 2015 CR-V | 29 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 670 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →