2018 Honda CR-V EX-L

The 2018 Honda CR-V EX-L is widely considered one of the best iterations of Honda's legendary compact SUV. Coming just one year after a complete ground-up redesign, the 2018 model represents the peak of reliability, interior space, and fuel efficiency for its generation.The "EX-L" trim level stands for EX-Luxury, meaning it takes all the highly sought-after tech from the mid-tier EX and adds premium leather upholstery and upscale convenience features. Here are its heaviest-hitting selling points:1. The Fuel-Sipping Turbocharged EngineWhile the base LX trim stuck with an older, slower engine, the EX-L gets Hondas highly efficient powertrain upgrade:The Specs: Powered by a 1.5L Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine pushing out 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. The Efficiency: Mated to a smooth Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), it delivers incredible fuel economy for a spacious SUVreturning an EPA-estimated 28 MPG city and 34 MPG highway in front-wheel-drive models (AWD drops it by just 1-2 MPG). Responsive Power: Thanks to the turbocharger, maximum pulling power kicks in early at just 2,000 RPM, giving it punchy, confident passing power on highway on-ramps. 2. The "L" Stands for Luxury ComfortThe EX-L trim strips away the cloth interior of lower trims and introduces upscale, premium details: Leather-Trimmed Cabin: Features plush, leather-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped shift knob. Memory Driver's Seat: Includes a 12-way power driver's seat with 4-way power lumbar support and a 2-position memory system. If two different people drive the vehicle, it will automatically adjust the seat to your preferred position at the push of a button. Power Passenger Seat: Upgrades the front passenger to a 4-way power-adjustable seat. The Conveniences: Standardizes a programmable power liftgate (you can set how high it opens so it doesn't hit a low garage ceiling), an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an upgraded 8-speaker, 180-watt audio system. 3. Comprehensive "Honda Sensing" Safety SuiteHonda made its state-of-the-art driver assistance package completely standard on the EX-L. It acts as an active digital shield on your daily commute:Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow: Automatically slows down and accelerates with the vehicle in front of youand can even bring the car to a dead stop in heavy traffic.Collision Mitigation & Lane Keeping: Features automatic emergency braking if a crash is imminent, alongside Lane Keeping Assist to gently nudge you back into your lane if you drift. Blind Spot Information: Includes traditional Radar Blind Spot Monitoring with a Rear Cross-Traffic Monitor to warn you of cars approaching from the sides when backing out of driveways. 4. Segment-Leading Interior Space & VersatilityThe CR-V of this generation famously beat out almost all its rivals (like the Toyota RAV4 or Ford Escape) in sheer packaging design:Cavernous Cargo Setup: It offers a massive 39.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats. If you pull the quick-release levers in the trunk, the rear seats fold completely flat to reveal a class-leading 75.8 cubic feet of space. "Limo" Rear Legroom: Rear passengers get a massive 40.4 inches of legroom, making it incredibly comfortable for tall adults or simple to install bulky, rear-facing child car seats. Configurable Center Console: Features a highly versatile front storage area with a sliding tray that can wrap around tablets, large purses, or multiple water bottles. 5. Seamless Modern InfotainmentThe EX-L bridges the gap to modern smartphone connectivity perfectly:7-Inch Touchscreen Display Audio: Ditches the baseline physical radio buttons for an electrostatic glass screen.Apple CarPlay & Android Auto: Standard hardware. Once plugged in via the high-power USB port, your phones navigation (Google Maps/Waze), messages, and Spotify maps directly onto the dashboard screen. Rear Passenger Charging: Adds two fast-charging 2.5-amp USB ports