The 2025 Honda CR-V is the benchmark in its segment for efficiency, safety, space, quality, and comfort. This generation of the CR-V was one of Autotrader’s Best New Cars of 2023, and we highly recommend this compact SUV. Three non-hybrid trim lines are offered: the base LX, the EX, and the top-tier EX-L. We’re here to compare the 2025 Honda CR-V EX to the 2025 Honda CR-V EX-L, highlighting some of the key features of each and some of the most important differences between them.
Here are the features of the 2025 Honda CR-V EX compared to the CR-V EX-L:
Interior
The EX and EX-L feature five seats, a reclining 60/40-split folding rear seat back, 41.0 inches of second-row legroom, and a power moonroof.
The EX-L trim’s primary interior difference is the addition of leather detailing to the steering wheel, shift knob, and seats. The EX-L also gets a power tailgate, a 4-way power passenger seat (the EX’s is manual), and 2-position memory for the driver’s 10-way power seat.
Technology and Audio
The 2025 CR-V EX gets a 7-inch center touchscreen display with wired smartphone integration and a 240-watt, 6-speaker audio system.
The 2025 CR-V EX-L upgrades to a 9-inch center touchscreen display, wireless smartphone integration, and a 320-watt, 8-speaker audio system. It also adds wireless device charging, HD Radio, and SiriusXM compatibility.
Features
The 2025 Honda CR-V EX shares most of its features with the EX-L. These include LED headlights, 18-inch silver-painted alloy wheels, and exterior details like rear privacy glass, automatic windshield wipers, and heated/powered side mirrors.
Safety
The EX and EX-L get the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assist technologies, plus blind-spot detection and cross-traffic monitoring. Honda Sensing includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning, automatic braking systems, traffic sign recognition, and more.
The EX-L adds front and rear parking sensors and low-speed braking control to the already impressive list of safety features in the Honda Sensing suite.
Drivetrain and Efficiency
Both the CR-V EX and EX-L get a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD), and up to 30 mpg combined.
The FWD EX and EX-L get 28 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. The AWD EX and EX-L get 26 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined.
Cargo Space
The 2025 CR-V EX and EX-L offer identical passenger and cargo space, with 39.3 cubic feet behind the second row or 76.5 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. Total passenger volume for both is 103.5 cubic feet.
Price
The 2025 CR-V EX starts at $33,700, including a $1,350 destination fee.
The 2025 CR-V EX-L starts at $36,350, including a $1,350 destination fee.
2025 Honda CR-V EX vs. CR-V EX-L Features
- Interior
- Technology and Audio
- Features
- Safety
- Drivetrain and Efficiency
- Cargo Space
- Price
