The Honda CR-V can tow a small boat or other watercraft, like a Jet Ski. With a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds, this compact SUV is ideal if you and your family want to take your small boat for a day out to the lake or a weekend trip away. Here’s a rundown of the most important towing and payload features of the new Honda CR-V.
Honda CR-V Towing Capacity
To get the most out of the towing capabilities of the CR-V, you’ll need to upgrade to its towing package. This includes a number of helpful features that boost the towing limit of the CR-V to 1,500 pounds, such as a trailer hitch harness, a draw bar, trailer hitch ball, and a clip.
If you’re planning on taking your boat out to one of the many lakes near Grand Forks, you’ll want to be sure that your CR-V can tow it safely on the road. That’s where several safety and driver assistance features come in handy. Honda’s towing package includes hill start assist, which will help prevent your vehicle from sliding when you start on a hill. It also has braking assist to help you bring your SUV to a rapid stop in an emergency with the extra weight of your boat at the rear.
When you’re trying to calculate whether your CR-V will manage to tow your boat, remember to include all accessories and additional equipment in your calculations. For example, if your boat and trailer weigh a combined 1,000 pounds and you have 200 pounds of equipment in your boat, you’ll be well within the towing capacity. Remember that trying to tow more weight than your CR-V’s capacity is risky, since you can diminish your vehicle’s performance and put other motorists at risk.
If you’re looking for something capable of hauling heavier loads, we have other vehicles in Honda’s 2021 lineup to meet your needs, such as the Honda Pilot or Honda Ridgeline mid-sized truck.
2021 CR-V Engine Power and Performance
All of the CR-V’s trims are equipped with a 1.5-liter V-4 engine that’s good for 181 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission. You can improve this powertrain for towing by opting for all-wheel drive, which will help to balance the torque throughout your CR-V to provide more stability while you tow. Honda’s Intelligent Control System shifts torque to each of your four wheels depending on the road conditions and what you’re towing.
The CR-V’s all-wheel drive model is supported by Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist setting, which helps keep your vehicle from slipping when the road gets wet. The VSA also improves handling when you’re going around corners, which will give you peace of mind when you’re towing a heavy load.
You’ll be happy to learn that the CR-V combines good gas mileage with its towing capabilities, which help make this SUV so versatile. For example, if you want a fuel-efficient car for your daily commute that is also capable of carrying a little extra on the weekend or when you go on vacation, the CR-V ticks these boxes. With all-wheel drive, the 2021 CR-V still manages 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, which are impressive numbers for an SUV with a turbocharged engine. You can gain even more gas mileage in the front-wheel drive setup, which manages 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Just bear in mind that this would reduce your CR-V’s towing capacity below the 1,500-pound limit.
Payload and Cargo Storage
For a compact SUV, the CR-V has one of the largest cargo spaces. This is sure to come in useful if you plan on transporting equipment for your boat, such as fishing gear. Behind the second row of seats, you’ll find 39.2 cubic feet of storage. If you fold down the second row, you’ll have 75.8 cubic feet of space. The CR-V is ideal for loading heavy items, since its low height makes it easier to lift them into the cargo hold.
The CR-V can manage up to 1,106 pounds of cargo in its hold. This should be more than enough for you to take a picnic and other items for a day out at the lake, or your family’s luggage for a weekend trip.
CR-V Trims and Towing
The CR-V is available in four trims for 2021: LX, Ex, EX-L, and Touring. All-wheel drive is available with every trim for an additional $1,500, so you can take advantage of this SUV’s towing abilities whatever level of comfort you choose to have inside.
The two top trims, EX-L and Touring, may be preferable for you if you plan on lugging heavy loads in addition to towing your boat. The EX-L features a power liftgate to make loading up your SUV a breeze. The Touring adds a hands-free liftgate for even more convenience.
The other main differences between the trims relate to interior comfort and technology. For example, the base LX trim features Bluetooth connectivity, a four-speaker stereo, and a dual-zone climate control. Step up to the EX and you’ll get a 7-inch infotainment screen, satellite radio, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which will allow you and your passengers to stay connected on your way to the lake.
The EX-L trim swaps out cloth upholstery for leather seat coverings for a touch more luxury in the cabin. You can also benefit from memory settings in the driver’s seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The top Touring trim adds wireless device charging, which will prove popular if you and your passengers want to keep your devices charged while you’re on the go.
Contact Rydell Honda of Grand Forks
Now you know a little more about the towing abilities and payload capacity of the 2021 CR-V. We hope we’ve been able to answer all of your questions, including by reassuring you that the CR-V is more than capable of getting your small boat to the lake. If you still have queries about this compact SUV’s specs and features, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of auto experts today. Here at Rydell Honda of Grand Forks, we can’t wait to help you get behind the wheel of your new SUV.
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