Honda CR-V: A friend is replacing her Honda CR-V with another one. She's always bought used, but she's considering a new one. One thing I find confusing is the engine. Do all the new...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A friend is replacing her Honda CR-V with another one. She's always bought used, but she's considering a new one. One thing I find confusing is the engine. Do all the new ones have the turbo engine? The base model, the LX, is listed as having the turbo, but the upper models don't mention the engine.

In looking at used models, most seem to have the turbo. Honda had a problem with turbocharged engines a few years ago, so she wants to avoid them.

Any comments?

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

The key here is “a few years ago.” I have heard that all is well now.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

jerryc41 wrote:

A friend is replacing her Honda CR-V with another one. She's always bought used, but she's considering a new one. One thing I find confusing is the engine. Do all the new ones have the turbo engine? The base model, the LX, is listed as having the turbo, but the upper models don't mention the engine.

In looking at used models, most seem to have the turbo. Honda had a problem with turbocharged engines a few years ago, so she wants to avoid them.

Any comments?

This from a 2019 Consumer Reports :
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/honda-extends-warranty-on-troubled-turbo-engines/

Note that towards the end of the report they say that Honda began reworking the engines since the 2019 model year.

From other searches I could see that the CR-V fuel bypass problems were on all the 1.5 liter turbo engines.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I don't hold with all the big motors you have your side, but 1.5ltr. is a bit small for something that size even to me. We went to see a CRV and the Salesmen couldn't stop gushing about about the 1.5 motor. That pricked my ears.

Canisdirus

Turbo engines became popular with automakers to meet fuel standards set by the government.
They enable a small engine to operate larger vehicles in a thrifty manner...and yet can generate extra horsepower when the driver needs it.
It does wear the engines out faster than a naturally aspirated engine...but hey...thank the government.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Canisdirus wrote:

Turbo engines became popular with automakers to meet fuel standards set by the government.
They enable a small engine to operate larger vehicles in a thrifty manner...and yet can generate extra horsepower when the driver needs it.
It does wear the engines out faster than a naturally aspirated engine...but hey...thank the government.

Only if you have a high pressure one. And put your foot on the floor. My old Volvo 940 was 2.3ltr LPT and you wouldn't know it was there. Felt more like a diesel engine. Good for 200k +.

Canisdirus

John N wrote:

Only if you have a high pressure one. And put your foot on the floor. My old Volvo 940 was 2.3ltr LPT and you wouldn't know it was there Felt more like a diesel engine. Good for 200k +.

I'd say any turbo made in the last 5 years.
Turbos definitely work...but the cost is engine wear...especially smaller engines.
It's a shortcut to get around arbitrary govt. standards.

Leo_B Loc: Houston suburb

All the 1.5 engines are turbo. Up until a year or maybe two ago the LX had a 2.4 (I think) naturally aspirated and all higher trim levels had the 1.5. A year or maybe two ago they went to the 1.5 in all trim levels. The newer models have more active and passive safety features, if that makes a difference in choosing.

JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois

I have a 2006 Pilot that I bought in 2008 and it's been a great car. I've owned other Honda products also so in 2016 when I was in the market for a second car I was almost positive it would be a CRV. I was wrong. I went with the Mazda CX-5 because of the difference in handling between the two cars. Possibly in the last five years they've made improvements to address the boring handling. I know this doesn't address your question but just wanted to offer an opinion. Your neighbor should also check out the Kia's.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

jerryc41 wrote:

A friend is replacing her Honda CR-V with another one. She's always bought used, but she's considering a new one. One thing I find confusing is the engine. Do all the new ones have the turbo engine? The base model, the LX, is listed as having the turbo, but the upper models don't mention the engine.

In looking at used models, most seem to have the turbo. Honda had a problem with turbocharged engines a few years ago, so she wants to avoid them.

Any comments?

I have the 2018 Accord 2.0 T. It's fantastic! I also have a 1999 CRV with 160,000 miles. I bought it (used of course)with 80,000 miles in 2001. Other than maintenance and tires, I've not spent one dime on repairs.
Mark

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

jerryc41 wrote:

A friend is replacing her Honda CR-V with another one. She's always bought used, but she's considering a new one. One thing I find confusing is the engine. Do all the new ones have the turbo engine? The base model, the LX, is listed as having the turbo, but the upper models don't mention the engine.

In looking at used models, most seem to have the turbo. Honda had a problem with turbocharged engines a few years ago, so she wants to avoid them.

Any comments?

A turbocharged in-line 4 cyl. has become the base engine in the majority of all new cars and SUV’s, not just the smaller vehicles, and are very reliable. The Ford Explorer for example, is a fairly big vehicle and uses a 4 cyl. Turbo as it’s base engine, although it puts out 300hp! The horsepower the new technology engines can produce is pretty amazing.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Not wanting to distract this conversation in any way, but can I slip this question in please? Anyone with experience with Honda's Hybrid models? Any year, I'm considering switching to a Honda hybrid car.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

I went car shopping recently for an SUV. I never bought a new vehicle and that includes this time. I avoided those cars with the tiny 1.5L or smaller engine that had the turbo. I figured a turbo would just be something to go bad quickly. And I have had motorcycles with bigger engines than 1.5L.
I also avoided the CVTs. Don't have much confidence in them. I have a Honda Helix motor scooter with a CVT. Works OK on something that small but on a car . . .

pete500 Loc: Southwest Ohio

jerryc41 wrote:

A friend is replacing her Honda CR-V with another one. She's always bought used, but she's considering a new one. One thing I find confusing is the engine. Do all the new ones have the turbo engine? The base model, the LX, is listed as having the turbo, but the upper models don't mention the engine.

In looking at used models, most seem to have the turbo. Honda had a problem with turbocharged engines a few years ago, so she wants to avoid them.

Any comments?

One thing to keep in mind, some turbo engines require premium gasoline, while in some it is only recommended. With premium gasoline the price will usually be at least 30 cents more than regular, something to consider.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

We just bought one. We have always had good results with Honda vehicles. We actually went through the Sam's Club car buying club, which basically pointed us to a dealer who would charge $1100 less than the advertised price at the other dealer in the county. Perhaps we could have talked the other dealer down, but it sounds like these days the dealers don't budge much.