The Honda CR-V does 28.8 mpg combined (27.3 city, 31.1 highway), which works out to about $1,333 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 39.1 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 21 — a difference of $847 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Honda CR-V engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 41.7 / 35.6 | 2020–2026 | $982 | |
| Fuel cell | 36 / 43 | 2025–2026 | $985 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 28 / 33.9 | 2017–2026 | $1,280 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 21.6 / 28.1 | 2002–2016 | $1,574 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 19.6 / 23 | 1997–2001 | $1,829 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.111 |
| Fuel per year | $1,333 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,665 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$179 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,192 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 27.3 mpg | $1,407 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.1 mpg | $1,235 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.8 mpg (14%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the CR-V changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35.7 / 37.3 | 3 | $1,058 | |
| 2025 | 35.7 / 37.7 | 3 | $1,058 | |
| 2024 | 35.5 / 35 | 2 | $1,097 | |
| 2023 | 35.5 / 35 | 2 | $1,097 | |
| 2022 | 34 / 34.5 | 2 | $1,129 | |
| 2021 | 34 / 34.5 | 2 | $1,129 | |
| 2020 | 34 / 34.5 | 2 | $1,129 | |
| 2019 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2017 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2016 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2015 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2014 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2013 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2012 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2011 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2010 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2009 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2008 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2007 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2006 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2005 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2004 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2003 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2002 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2001 | 20 / 23 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2000 | 20 / 23 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1999 | 20 / 23 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1998 | 19 / 23 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1997 | 19 / 23 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Honda CR-V get?
28.8 mpg combined on average — 27.3 in the city and 31.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1997–2026.
How much does a Honda CR-V cost in fuel per year?
About $1,333 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,665 over five years, or 0.111 dollars a mile.
Which CR-V engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 39.1 mpg, against 21 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $847 a year.
Is the CR-V good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.