2017 Honda CR-V Disappoints in Real MPG City Results, Exceeds EPA Highway Rating

One of the 2017 Honda CR-V’s many positive marks is its EPA-rated fuel economy — the best-selling crossover is quicker than almost everything in its class yet also manages respectable efficiency. But is it too good to be true? Yes and no. Running a 2017 Honda CR-V Touring AWD with the 1.5-liter turbo-four through the Motor-Trend-exclusive Real MPG tests yielded 21.9 mpg in the city, 34.2 mpg on the highway, and 26.1 mpg combined.

Those numbers are very disappointing and simultaneously impressive, depending on how you look at it.

First, though, a little about Real MPG. Our efforts with Real MPG involve hooking up a $150,000 gas analyzer on test cars on a set route that includes city and highway sections — the end result is another efficiency data point that provides a real-world look at how some vehicles perform, and it’s something you’ll only find at Motor Trend. Learn more about Real MPG HERE.

Most 2017 CR-Vs will be powered by the 1.5-liter turbo-four with 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. Like the base LX model that uses the last-gen CR-V’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter I-4, the turbocharged EX and Touring models use a CVT that makes for smooth driving. And with that turbo, the CR-V is remarkably quick for a spacious crossover — in fact, the 2017 CR-V would have been the second quickest model in that 2016 comparison, behind a six-cylinder Jeep Cherokee. EPA-rated fuel economy for the turbocharged CR-Vs is 27/33 mpg city/highway with all-wheel drive and 28/34 mpg with front-wheel drive. Our test vehicle was a loaded CR-V Touring AWD, so compare its 27/33 mpg EPA result with the Real MPG of 21.9 and 34.2.

That the 21.9 mpg number is so far below the 27 mpg estimate suggests how some small-displacement turbo engines may be especially sensitive to different driving styles. Again keeping in mind our comprehensive 2016 Big Test comparison of small crossovers, that result would have been mid-pack in the test. Add in the incredible Real MPG highway result of 34.2 mpg, and the combined 26.1 mpg number would have been second in that nine-vehicle matchup, ahead of every competitor except the 2016 Toyota RAV4 AWD that came in at 26.8 mpg, actually above its EPA estimates. The 2016 CR-V Touring AWD in that comparison — using the 2.4-liter I-4 now powering the 2017 CR-V LX — put out Real MPG results of 21.8/28.2 city/highway, and 24.3 mpg combined; so, about the same performance in the city as the 2017 CR-V’s Real MPG of 21.9, far below its 34.2 on the highway, and below its 26.1 combined figure.

Put it all together and the 2017 Honda CR-V is still spacious, quick, and more modern than before, but its real-world city mileage may be more “top half of class” than “class-leading.”

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