carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $31,482–$40,231 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2020 Honda CR-V S is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.9/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.8/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 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. Reliability stands out at 8.5/10. The CR-V S nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. On safety, it scores 8.8/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.7/10 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 7.5/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $31,482–$40,231, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Honda CR-V S sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.0/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 6 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 2020 Honda CR-V S 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 →
The 2020 Honda CR-V S ranks #293 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 88% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,482 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 13%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Honda CR-V S scores 7.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.9 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.2/10 | $36,849 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.1/10 | $35,776 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.1/10 | $34,702 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.2/10 | $33,629 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.0/10 | $32,556 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 7.9/10 | $31,482 | |
| 2019 | 7.8/10 | $30,409 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.9/10 | $29,336 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.8/10 | $28,262 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.7/10 | $27,189 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.7/10 | $26,116 | Read review → |
We rate the 2020 Honda CR-V S's reliability 8.5/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 7.9/10 overall, ranking #293 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 88% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2020 Honda CR-V S starts at $31,482 and ranges up to $40,231 across trims (MSRP when new). At 26 MPG, expect roughly $2,019/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.