2016 Honda CR-V Base — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2016 Honda CR-V Base

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $23,643–$30,368
Fuel Economy 22 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,386/yr

Key Specifications — 2016 Honda CR-V Base

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$23,643–$30,368

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2016 Honda CR-V Base

The 2016 Honda CR-V Base is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.7/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.6/10, while Performance at 6.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.3/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.6/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.3/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.3/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $23,643–$30,368, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Honda CR-V Base sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. At 7.9/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2016 Honda CR-V Base will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2016 Honda CR-V Base ranks #564 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 77% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $23,643 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 34%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which CR-V Base Year Should You Buy?

Across the CR-V Base model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2025 8.2/10$32,043 Read review →
2024 8.1/10$31,110 Read review →
2023 8.1/10$30,176 Read review →
2022 8.2/10$29,243 Read review →
2021 8.0/10$28,310 Read review →
2020 8.0/10$27,376 Read review →
2019 7.8/10$26,443 Read review →
2018 7.9/10$25,510 Read review →
2017 7.8/10$24,576 Read review →
2016 (this review) 7.7/10$23,643
2015 7.7/10$22,710 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2016 Honda CR-V Base

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra

More Honda Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.