Honda CR-V: 2020 vs 2021
Posted on April 22, 2021 by Rockie Williams Premier

Are you thinking about buying a Honda CR-V but aren't sure which one to go with? Check out this complete guide on the 2020 vs 2021 CR-V.
Are you currently in the market for a car and want to find a trusted brand to invest in? Do you have your mind set on buying a Honda as your next vehicle? If so, then you should give the Honda CR-V a look.
However, should you purchase the 2020 Honda CR-V or the 2021 Honda CR-V? They're both great cars and offer a great return on your investment. But which one gets the upper hand? We will let you be the judge!
See below for an in-depth guide that compares the two most recent Honda CR-V models and which ones might be the best fit for you.
Trim Levels
When comparing the 2020 and 2021 Honda CR-V, customers will notice a lot of similarities. In fact, there are almost no discernable differences between the two.
Both are reliable. Both are durable. Both offer great fuel economy, quick acceleration, a roomy cabin, and a comfortable ride. They even offer the same four trim levels: the LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring.
Let's dive into these trim levels a bit to learn all that you can about which one you might be interested in purchasing.
LX
This is the base-level trim for both the 2020 and 2021 Honda CR-V, but man, it's a good one! The LX comes with awesome cabin features such as a 5-inch screen display and a four-speaker audio system.
It also has driver assistance features such as lane-keep assist, cruise control, forward collision alerts, and lane departure monitoring.
We love the 2021 Honda CR-V LX here at Gerald Jones Honda because of its sleek design and tremendous features. Both the 2020 and 2021 LX trim levels will give you a high return on investment.
EX
Next up, we have the EX trim level, which is the next step up for both the 2020 and 2021 Honda CR-V models.
It holds all the features of the LX, with a few additions topped on. On the exterior, you can look forward to a sunroof, cargo cover, and tinted rear windows. Inside the cabin, it has such luxuries as heated front seats, a 7-inch display, additional USB ports, and dual-zone climate control.
It also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, keyless entry, and a push-button start. The EX also adds driver-assist features in blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic warnings.
EX-L
Following the EX, for both the 2020 and 2021 models, we have the EX-L. As the name would imply, it's the EX trim level with a few more additions on top. The "L" stands for "Luxury".
With that in mind, the EX-L offers its drivers a power liftgate, eight-speaker audio system, leather interior, auto-dimming rearview mirrors to reduce glare, and a passenger seat with power-adjustable features.
As you can see, the EX-L goes above and beyond. Regardless of whether you invest in the 2021 Honda CR-V or the 2020 Honda CR-V, you're getting an exceptional value. Perfect for anyone that's trying to jampack the features and amenities in their next car.
Touring
For the Touring trim level, you'll get to combine all the great features of the LX, EX, and EX-L, then add a few more tremendous features on top!
The Touring trim on both the 2020 and 2021 CR-V models has all the bells and whistles. It features roof rails and LED headlights on the exterior. Inside, you'll have a wireless phone charger, a fully compatible navigation system, and a nine-speaker audio system.
We'd recommend this trim level to virtually anyone willing to pay more for all of the features Honda can pack into one vehicle.
When you invest in the Touring on the 2020 or 2021 CR-V, you're getting added luxury to one of the most trusted car models in the industry today.
What's the Difference?
Up until this point, we've listed all of the similarities and awesome features that both the 2020 and 2021 Honda CR-V include. Now we want to answer the question that you're all asking: what's the difference?
To be honest, the year is the biggest difference. Honda used the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy to design the 2021 model after such a successful reception of the 2020 Honda CR-V.
That said, there are some slight tweaks. Remember the LX and EX trim levels that we discussed? Those have a $200 increase on the 2021 model over the 2020 model's price.
The EX-L and Touring trims on the 2021 CR-V are $300 more than their 2021 CR-V counterparts. Even though it's a price jump, it's still an incredible value for the chance to get your hands on the latest model!
Both of these models have the Hybrid model as a purchasing option, which began with the 2020 Honda CR-V. The only noticeable difference here is that the 2021 Hybrid model got rid of its LX trim level.
The irony is that every other car model in Honda's 2021 lineup saw a significant change from the year before.
The CR-V's drastic changes came with the 2020 model. The changes were so well received that it was rewarded as the 2020 Best Buy Award from Kelley Blue Book, as well as the 2021 Best Compact SUV for the Money from U.S.News.
Be sure to reach out to Gerald Jones Honda today to test drive the 2020 and 2021 Honda CR-V for yourself!
Buying a Honda CR-V: Choose the Best Year for You
Now that you have seen all of the differences and similarities between the 2020 and 2021 Honda CR-V, buying a Honda has never been easier!
If fuel efficiency is your top concern, then be sure to read this article for more information on the Honda vehicle with the best gas mileage.
For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further.
