The Honda Cr-v, a popular compact SUV, has been a top choice for families and individuals alike, consistently praised for its reliability and practicality. Safety is a paramount concern for car buyers, and the Honda CR-V models from 2017 to 2022 have undergone rigorous testing to ensure occupant protection. This article provides a detailed analysis of the crash test ratings for the Honda CR-V, based on evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We will delve into various crash scenarios, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impacts, roof strength, and headlight performance, to give you a complete picture of the Honda CR-V’s safety capabilities.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end (driver-side in this case) impacts a barrier. This test is particularly challenging for vehicle structures. The 2017-2022 Honda CR-V models achieved a “Good” rating in this demanding test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The Honda CR-V demonstrated excellent structural integrity in the driver-side small overlap test, maintaining the safety cage effectively. Injury measures for the driver dummy were all rated “Good” across all body regions, indicating a low risk of significant injuries in this type of crash. Restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated “Good,” showing effective occupant control during the impact.
Technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test provide further insights into the vehicle’s performance.
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTN1702 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 6 |
| Footrest (cm) | 9 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 13 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 10 |
| Parking brake (cm) | |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 4 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 4 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 4 |
These measurements show the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment. Lower intrusion values generally indicate better structural performance.
Driver injury measures recorded during the test are also crucial for evaluating safety.
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTN1702 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 302 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.3 |
| Right | 0.0 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.52 |
| Right | 0.69 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.2 |
| Right | 2.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 53 |
| Right | 64 |
These injury measures, such as HIC for head injury, neck forces, chest compression, and femur forces, are all within acceptable limits, contributing to the “Good” overall rating.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
Similar to the driver-side test, the passenger-side small overlap front crash test assesses safety performance when the passenger side of the vehicle’s front end takes the impact. The Honda CR-V also earned a “Good” rating in this passenger-side evaluation for the 2017-2022 models.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The “Good” rating extends across all evaluation criteria for the passenger, mirroring the driver-side performance. This indicates consistent protection for occupants on both sides in a small overlap frontal crash. Importantly, driver injury measures are also evaluated in the passenger-side test to ensure the crash doesn’t negatively impact the driver as well. All driver injury measures were also rated “Good.”
Technical measurements for the passenger-side small overlap test are detailed below.
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP1714 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Footrest (cm) | 6 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 4 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 4 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 1 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Center dash (cm) | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 3 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 3 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 3 |
Occupant compartment intrusion measurements on the passenger side are also low, comparable to the driver’s side, reflecting a robust safety cage.
Passenger and driver injury measurements for the passenger-side small overlap test are as follows:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP1714 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 73 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 12 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.23 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 23 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.9 |
| Right | 0.3 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.35 |
| Right | 0.43 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.1 |
| Right | 1.0 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 34 |
| Right | 49 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP1714 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 61 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.19 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.4 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.40 |
| Right | 0.20 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 0.8 |
| Right | 0.6 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 100 |
| Right | 59 |
Driver Injury Measures
The injury measurements for both passenger and driver dummies in the passenger-side small overlap test are low and within safe thresholds, reinforcing the “Good” rating.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
The moderate overlap front crash test is a more traditional frontal crash test, involving a larger portion of the vehicle’s front impacting a deformable barrier. The Honda CR-V achieved a “Good” rating in the original moderate overlap front test, based on both IIHS and Honda conducted tests.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The Honda CR-V again demonstrated “Good” performance across all categories in the moderate overlap front crash test. Structural integrity, driver injury measures, and restraint systems all contributed to this top rating.
Action shot during the moderate overlap frontal crash test, illustrating the impact.
Post-crash dummy position showing excellent maintenance of driver survival space in the moderate overlap test.
Dummy movement control was effective, with head contact on the head restraint and side curtain airbag as intended.
Minimal intrusion into the driver’s space during the moderate overlap test, highlighting robust structural design.
Technical measurements from both the IIHS and Honda tests are provided for comparison.
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1702 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 5 |
| Left (cm) | 9 |
| Center (cm) | 9 |
| Right (cm) | 9 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 4 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 1 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 1 |
| Rearward (cm) | -1 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
These measurements indicate minimal intrusion into the footwell and occupant space, confirming the structural rating.
Driver injury measures from both tests are also consistent and low.
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1702 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 192 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 26 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 0.5 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 0.3 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.31 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.64 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 1.5 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 1.4 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 60 |
| Right | 62 |
The injury data from both tests consistently show low risks of significant injuries in a moderate overlap frontal crash for the Honda CR-V.
Side Crash Test: Original and Updated
The side crash test evaluates the protection offered to occupants in a side impact scenario. The Honda CR-V has been evaluated under both the original and updated side crash test protocols.
Original Side Crash Test
In the original side crash test, the Honda CR-V received a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
The “Good” rating extends to both driver and rear passenger injury measures, as well as structural performance and head protection.
Technical measurements from the original side crash test include:
| Test ID | VTS1702 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -18.0 |
This measurement indicates the amount of intrusion into the occupant compartment from the side impact.
Driver injury measures from the original side crash test are:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1702 |
| Head HIC-15 | 201 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.4 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 50 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 25 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.22 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.41 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 1.1 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 33 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 145 |
Passenger injury measures for the original side crash test are:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1702 |
| Head HIC-15 | 61 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.9 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 42 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 30 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.88 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.51 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.8 |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.2 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 22 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 12 |
Updated Side Crash Test
The updated side crash test is more stringent, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed. In this more challenging test, the 2017-2022 Honda CR-V received an “Acceptable” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
| Structure and safety cage | A |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis | A |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | M |
| Pelvis | A |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
While the overall rating is “Acceptable,” driver injury measures for head/neck and torso remain “Good.” The pelvis area for the driver and rear passenger, and torso for the rear passenger, are rated “Acceptable” or “Marginal,” indicating a slightly higher risk of injury in these areas compared to the original side test.
Vehicle condition immediately after the updated side crash test.
Side airbags deployment and occupant compartment damage visible after the updated side crash test.
Greasepaint on the driver dummy’s head showing airbag protection in the updated side crash test.
Greasepaint indicating rear passenger head protection by the side airbag in the updated side crash test.
Technical measurements for the updated side crash test:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2106 |
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -16.5 |
Driver injury measures from the updated side crash test:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2106 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 151 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 20 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 30 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.57 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.38 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 4.6 |
Passenger injury measures from the updated side crash test:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2106 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 352 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 47 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 43 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.99 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.79 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 4.5 |
While the updated side test rating is lower than the original, the Honda CR-V still provides a good level of protection, especially for critical areas like the head and torso.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test evaluates the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. The Honda CR-V achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,396 lbs |
| Peak force | 18,094 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.33 |
A “Good” rating signifies that the roof can withstand a force of more than five times the vehicle’s weight, providing strong protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats are crucial for preventing neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The Honda CR-V received a “Good” overall rating for its head restraints and seats.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Both dynamic performance and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good,” indicating effective design to minimize whiplash injuries.
Technical measurements for head restraints and seats:
| Seat type | Manual cloth seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 26 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 38 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 13.1 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 52 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 267 |
These measurements confirm the effective geometry and dynamic performance of the head restraints and seats in the Honda CR-V.
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The IIHS evaluates headlights and provides ratings based on different trim levels and headlight types. The Honda CR-V headlight ratings vary by trim level.
Touring Trim Headlights
The Touring trim of the Honda CR-V, equipped with LED reflector headlights, received an “Acceptable” rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | A |
While rated “Acceptable,” these LED headlights with high-beam assist offer good visibility in many scenarios.
Low beams: Visibility was good on straightaways and most curves, but inadequate on gradual left curves. Glare was not an issue.
High beams: Visibility was good on straightaways (right side) and gradual right curves, but inadequate on the left side straightaway and sharp left curve. High-beam assist helps compensate for low beam limitations.
EX and EX-L Trim Headlights
The EX and EX-L trims, featuring Halogen projector headlights, received a “Marginal” rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | M |
These halogen headlights provide less optimal illumination compared to the LED option.
Low beams: Visibility was good on the left straightaway, fair on the right straightaway and right curves, and inadequate on left curves. Some glare was noted.
High beams: Visibility was good on the right straightaway, fair on the left straightaway and gradual right curve, and inadequate on sharp right and left curves. High-beam assist improves performance.
LX Trim Headlights
The LX trim, also equipped with Halogen projector headlights but without high-beam assist, received a “Marginal” rating similar to EX and EX-L trims.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | M |
Without high-beam assist, the LX trim’s headlights offer similar, marginal performance to the EX and EX-L trims in terms of visibility.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems aim to mitigate or prevent frontal collisions. The Honda CR-V, when equipped with the optional Collision Mitigation Brake System (part of the Honda Sensing Package), achieved a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention for 2017-2019 models.
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Superior with optional equipment |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meets forward collision warning requirements.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian front crash prevention systems are designed to detect and react to pedestrians in the vehicle’s path. The Honda CR-V, with the optional Collision Mitigation Braking System, earned a “Superior” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention (daytime) for 2018-2019 EX, EX-L, and Touring trims.
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|---|
| Superior with optional equipment |
The system demonstrated significant impact speed reduction or collision avoidance in various pedestrian scenarios, including crossing child, crossing adult, and parallel adult scenarios, at speeds up to 37 mph.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH – Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) are evaluated for ease of use and effectiveness. The Honda CR-V received an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH system usability.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
| Vehicle trim | LX |
| Seat type | cloth |
The CR-V has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors.
LATCH Usability Details:
| Position | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| Tether anchor | Easy-to-find, but other hardware could be confused |
| Lower anchors | Not too deep, but too much force needed to attach, easy to maneuver around |
| 2 | |
| Tether anchor | Hard-to-find, other hardware could be confused |
| Lower anchors | 1 dedicated and 1 borrowed, not too deep, too much force needed, easy to maneuver |
| 3 | |
| Tether anchor | Easy-to-find, other hardware could be confused |
| Lower anchors | Not too deep, too much force needed, easy to maneuver |
While rated “Acceptable,” some aspects of the LATCH system, like the force required to attach lower anchors and potential confusion with other hardware, could be improved.
Conclusion
The 2017-2022 Honda CR-V demonstrates strong safety performance in most IIHS crash tests, achieving “Good” ratings in small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side crash, roof strength, and head restraints & seats evaluations. The updated side crash test resulted in an “Acceptable” rating, while headlight ratings vary from “Acceptable” to “Marginal” depending on trim level. Front crash prevention systems, when equipped, are rated “Superior.” The LATCH system is rated “Acceptable” for usability.
Overall, the Honda CR-V is a safe vehicle choice within its class, providing robust occupant protection in various crash scenarios. Prospective buyers should consider trim levels for headlight performance and ensure the desired front crash prevention systems are equipped for optimal safety. Always prioritize safety ratings and features when selecting a vehicle to ensure the well-being of yourself and your passengers.
