2020 Honda CR-V MPG
Across its 2 EPA-rated gasoline versions, the 2020 Honda CR-V returns 27–28 mpg city, 32–34 highway and 29–30 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive, at 30 mpg combined. At the other end, the 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive manages 29 mpg combined, 1 mpg less. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 38 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2019 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V Hybrid AWD | 2.0 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 40 | 35 | 38 | Regular · 234 g CO₂/mi |
| CR-V FWD | 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 34 | 30 | Regular · 294 g CO₂/mi |
| CR-V AWD | 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 | 32 | 29 | Regular · 305 g CO₂/mi |
2020 Honda CR-V fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2020 Honda CR-V costs about $2,180 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (30 mpg combined), or roughly 15 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (29 mpg combined) comes to about $2,250 a year, $80 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2020 Honda CR-V specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2020 Honda CR-V: 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0 L 4-cyl hybrid. It came with a CVT, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Small Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L turbo | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 2.0 L hybrid | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2020 Honda CR-V problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 441 owner complaints about the 2020 Honda CR-V.
Forward collision avoidance is the most-reported area (19% of component mentions), followed by engine (10%) and electrical system (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 62 complaints a year: fewer than the 2019 (137 a year) and the 2021 (73 a year).
That ranks 8th of 17 Honda CR-V model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 441, 25 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 18 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 112 | 19% |
| Engine | 61 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 57 | 10% |
| Air bags | 51 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 48 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 47 | 8% |
| Steering | 46 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 42 | 7% |
| Power train | 25 | 4% |
| Lane departure | 13 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 2% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 11 | 2% |
| Structure | 10 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 6 | 1% |
| Tires | 6 | 1% |
| Seats | 5 | <1% |
| Wheels | 5 | <1% |
| Suspension | 4 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 2 | <1% |
| Visibility | 2 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
At under 36,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total failure of the factory electronic brake booster assembly. The vehicle's dashboard illuminated multiple critical braking system warning lights. …
Since 2021, I have repeatedly taken my car in to Honda because of check engine light followed by loss of power and loud knocking. …
In August 2026, I was driving approximately 70 to 75 miles per hour on the highway when my vehicle suddenly lost acceleration. The check engine light began flashing, and the vehicle started shaking severely. …
2020 Honda CR-V recalls
The 2020 Honda CR-V has been the subject of 9 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 26V332000 from May 2026, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 2 of the 9 campaigns, more than any other area.
22V380000 · May 26, 2022 · Gasoline fuel system
Problem: The clip for the absorber inside the fuel tank was not secured properly and may detach, which can cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
Risk: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge.
20V798000 · December 17, 2020 · Electrical system
Problem: The DC-DC converter may shut down and prevent the 12-volt battery from recharging, possibly resulting in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power converter unit (PCU) software, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | CR-V years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V332000 | May 21, 2026 | Air bags | 2017–2022 |
| 24V064000 | February 1, 2024 | Air bags | 2020–2021 |
| 23V858000 | December 18, 2023 | Gasoline fuel system | 2013–2023 |
| 23V844000 | December 13, 2023 | Electrical system | 2020–2022 |
| 23V524000 | July 27, 2023 | Equipment | 2017, 2020, 2022 |
| 23V158000 | March 9, 2023 | Seat belts | 2017–2020 |
| 19V865000 | December 5, 2019 | Structure | 2019–2020 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 3 versions of the 2020 Honda CR-V; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| HYBRID SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Honda CR-Vs can be compared fairly. Among other 2020 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2020 Ford Escape (30 mpg), 2020 Toyota RAV4 (30 mpg) and 2020 Nissan Rogue (29 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 30 | 1,776 | 176 | 7 |
| 2018 | 30 | 2,161 | 238 | 5 |
| 2019 | 30 | 1,107 | 137 | 8 |
| 2020 | 38 | 441 | 62 | 9 |
| 2021 | 38 | 444 | 73 | 5 |
| 2022 | 38 | 348 | 69 | 6 |
| 2023 | 40 | 633 | 156 | 8 |
Every Honda CR-V model year compared →
Similar 2020 models
FAQ
Is the 2020 CR-V a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2020 Honda CR-V has 62 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (8th most of 17 model years), 9 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 38 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2020 CR-V problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are forward collision avoidance (112), engine (61) and electrical system (57). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2020 CR-V have?
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 CR-V get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 29–30 mpg combined (27–28 city, 32–34 highway). The hybrid version reaches up to 38 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 CR-V per year?
About $2,180 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,250 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).