All About the 2001 Honda CR-V Special Edition

The 2001 Honda CR-V Special Edition spruces up the interior features of one of America’s longest-running compact SUVs.
Written by Kaitlin May
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
In 2001, the reliable Honda CR-V debuted its spruced-up
Special Edition (SE)
trim in addition to its basic
LX
and bolstered
EX
trims. Highlights of the SE package were mostly included in the cabin with a leather interior, steering wheel, and chrome accents.
America loves a compact crossover SUV, and the CR-V has remained at the top of its class for decades. Practical, spacious, and comfortable, the CR-V offers truck-like ground clearance with car-like maneuvering. That said, the dependable choice for families and singles alike trips up in one area: its personality.
With the 2001 Special Edition trim, the CR-V got a little pizzazz added to its otherwise drab appearance. If you’re looking to make the millennium-era ride your own,
super app
and car insurance extraordinaire,
Jerry
, has you covered. From the ‘01 model’s stats, trims, and pricing, you’ll have everything you need to decide on becoming an SE owner.

What is the Honda CR-V Special Edition? 

The highest trim in the 2001 lineup, the
Honda
CR-V Special Edition offered up some bells and whistles that gave the ride a facelift. With a starting MSRP of $22,800, the SE was only available with a four-speed automatic transmission
With leather touches on the seats and steering wheel, a three-in-one AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo, body-colored side moldings, and chrome accents on the grille, the SE added touches that weren’t offered on the LX or EX trims.

2001 Honda CR-V overview

Before we dive into the 2001 SE’s features, here’s an overview of the Honda CR-V.
With every ingredient of a compact SUV mixed into the perfect recipe, the Honda CR-V answered America’s call for a sporty, spacious vehicle for daily driving. While the 2001 CR-V wouldn’t take home any superlatives for speed or off-roading, it’s comparable to the ever-popular
Toyota RAV4
and
Jeep Cherokee
. The CR-V edges out the RAV4 when it comes to visibility near the rear above the spare tire, and it’s surprisingly similar in dimensions to the Cherokee’s cargo capacity.
The bottom line? The CR-V is made with comfort and capacity at the forefront, without cutting corners in other areas of the model. Owners of the 2001 CR-V note that while the handling and dependability are top-notch, the ride can be a little noisy, but no more than that of the RAV4.
Fuel economy for the CR-V is a solid 25 mpg highway and 22 mpg city, but where it shines doesn’t have to do with mileage—it’s all about storage. The CR-V teeters on an optical illusion with its compact appearance and 67.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. 
Key specs
  • Starting MSRP of $22,800
  • 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine 
  • 146 @ 6200 RPM
  • 133 lb-ft of torque @ 4500 RPM
  • 5-star NHTSA rating 

What’s special about the Special Edition?

To put it frankly, the CR-V doesn’t tend to catch many eyes on the freeway. It’s not the biggest or baddest in most categories, despite earning marks from JD Power for the Highest Quality Entry Sport Utility Vehicle in 2001. The base LX trim might be sufficient for some, but it falls short in essential areas for most.
Remote keyless entry, antilock brakes, and dual-power color-keyed mirrors were missing from the LX, but they were added in both the EX and SE trims. The SE also packs in a four-speed automatic transmission, a three-in-one AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo (great for its 2001 launch), leather interior accents, and a fancier grille.
For those features, customers paid $3,850 above the base MSRP!
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2001 Honda CR-V Special Edition vs. EX

Although the 2001 SE adds some elegance to an otherwise ordinary car, some would argue that the EX delivers a similar value for $2,050 less. For a starting MSRP of $20,750, the EX includes:
  • Air conditioning with a filtration system
  • Power windows and door locks
  • Rear window wiper
  • AM/FM stereo with a cassette
  • Cruise control
  • Map lights
  • Cargo area cover
  • Antilock brakes
  • Remote entry system
  • Alloy wheels
  • Dual power color-keyed mirrors
Before you declare the EX a no-brainer, consider how important the look and feel of your car are to you. If you’re a lover of leather, moldings, and chrome, then you’ll be missing out if you skip the SE trim. Keep in mind that in any case, the model you choose will depend on availability, since any car from 2001 might be more difficult to pin down. 

How to find the best Honda CR-V Special Edition insurance

Even a
used car
is an investment, which is why exploring all of the options and details is crucial before making a decision. That kind of conscientiousness also has a place when shopping for something else: car insurance. If comparison shopping sounds like a chore to you, you’re in luck—
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With that kind of dedication, Jerry users save over $800 per year on car insurance!
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