No segment of the automotive market is as competitive as the compact crossover SUV class. But the Honda CR-V continues to outpace the competition at every turn. With solid fuel economy, excellent reliability ratings, and impressive storage volume, this compact SUV checks all of the boxes—even if it’s not a particularly exciting ride.

If you’re considering a CR-V,

Jerry

, the

car insurance

comparison tool and

super app

, is here with the 2022 Honda CR-V Special Edition review—from specs and pricing information to a frank evaluation of the trim’s shortcomings.

What is the Honda CR-V Special Edition?

The Honda CR-V Special Edition was first offered in 2021 as a go-between for the base LX and mid-grade EX trims. Starting at $28,000 for front-wheel-drive editions and $29,500 with all-wheel drive, the Special Edition maintains the same features as last year’s model, including keyless entry, a push-button start, and climate controls not featured in the base model.

2022 Honda CR-V overview

Before we take a closer look at the special features of the 2022 Special Edition, here’s a snapshot of the Honda CR-V.

If you took the best characteristics from every compact SUV on the market—then bumped it all up a few notches—you would have the Honda CR-V. While not as sharp as the

Mazda CX-5

, not as passenger-friendly as the

Volkswagen Tiguan

, and not an optional hybrid like the

Kia Sportage

, the CR-V has tons to offer. However, it also can’t match the

Hyundai Tucson’s

low, low starting price.

None of this should deter you from investing in a CR-V, though. It’s truly one of the most competent SUVs you can purchase right now.

When you get behind the wheel of the 2022 CR-V, you’ll notice its fast acceleration and precise handling. Despite the bad reviews continuously variable transmissions (CVT) get, the CR-V provides a smooth and quiet ride.

With a combined fuel economy of 31 mpg, the 2022 model is a mile per gallon more efficient than the year prior. And while it won’t touch a hybrid’s fuel economy, it’s still nothing to sneeze at.

But maximizing storage space might just be what this vehicle does best: you’ll find 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which expands to a mind-boggling 75.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

Key specs:

$26,800 starting MSRP

1.5-liter 4-cylinder

190 hp @ 5,600 rpm

179 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm

5-star NHTSA rating

Honda Sensing driver assistance suite

Are you overpaying for your car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Compare Rates Now

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees

4.717k Ratings

5M+Drivers Joined

7M+Cars Garaged

What’s special about the Special Edition?

The Honda CR-V Special Edition’s strength is sort of its weakness in that it's boring. We know it’s a solid vehicle with a JD Power quality and dependability rating of 83 and a U.S. News & World Report Best Cars for the Money award. But it’s not going to knock your socks off since the base trim is missing some bells and whistles.

The Special Edition does come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, which is nice.The Special Edition also comes with an enlarged 7-inch infotainment touchscreen and a six-speaker sound system.

On top of all that fun stuff, the Special Edition adds keyless Smart Entry and push-button start to maximize convenience and security. Plus, the Special Edition has a nice interior with heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control.

For all those goodies, shoppers pay an additional $1,200 above MSRP—not a bad deal for added value!

2022 Honda CR-V Special Edition vs. EX

While you’ll get a lot of value from the Special Edition, some buyers think the EX trim—the next step up—is the best option in the lineup. For an extra $910, the EX trim adds:

One-touch power moonroof

Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor

18-inch alloy wheels

Cloth seats

Should you buy the EX trim? Most of the nicer features you’ll get are “nice to haves” instead of “need to haves.” They’re not going to make the car drive better. And when you add on features, you’re going to pay a little extra for insurance.

Here’s the bottom line: if you want value and can live without some tech, the LX trim is for you. But if you want to get the most out of the CR-V without overspending, the CR-V Special Edition is going to hit the sweet spot.

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

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

When you’re looking for the perfect SUV, you will no doubt spend a lot of time comparing models, prices, trim levels, and more. It can be exhausting. But with

Jerry

, the super app for car owners, we simplify the first step after you buy a car: shopping for

car insurance

With Jerry, just enter some quick information after downloading the app and we’ll present you with competitive quotes from a pool of more than 50 top insurance companies. Pick the rate and coverage you like, and Jerry’s experts will guide you through the sign-up process with no annoying phone calls and very minimal forms to fill out.

Oh, the best part? On average, Jerry users save more than $800 annually on car insurance!