Four Excellent Honda SUVs For Commuting And One To Watch In The Future
Commuting to work or school is an everyday part of most people’s lives that adds up to a not-insignificant percentage of their week. Like every other portion of modern life, commuters try to balance efficiency and enjoyment. The first step to achieving both is to pick the right tool for the job. Or, in this case, the right vehicle for the drive.
There is no shortage of excellence in the Honda SUV lineup, as a trip to your Certified Honda Dealer will show. Even in such great company, a few models stand out as especially good options for commuters based on fuel economy, comfort, infotainment options, and safety features. Here are four Honda SUVs that will give you a commute you can really enjoy, and a fifth option to keep an eye on in the future.
CR-V: Features Come Together For a Great Commute
Fuel is probably your biggest commuting cost. With an EPA-estimated 43 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway, the hybrid CR-V can give drivers some relief from their pain at the pump.[a] Cutting down on fuel emissions is also an important consideration, one that Honda takes very seriously. If you’re skeptical about hybrid or electric vehicles but still want to save money and help out the planet, the CR-V offers a fantastic, traditionally fueled option.
Safety is another important consideration and an area where the CR-V shines again. This compact SUV has the prestige of being recognized for its safety by top industry institutions. In 2022, it was named the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety Pick.[b] It is also worth noting—while not about safety—Car And Driver awarded the CR-V a spot on the 10 Best Trucks And SUVs list for 2023, recognizing its superior handling and the superior quality of its interior.[c]
Impressive safety features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warnings. A lane-keeping assist system will gently steer the CR-V back into place if you begin to drift from your lane. Automated emergency braking detects an oncoming collision and engages the brakes if you don’t have a chance to apply them yourself. When split seconds count, this additional help has the potential to be life-saving.
The center display's seven-inch infotainment display offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability for your music streaming needs. The two USB charging ports for rear passengers are an excellent feature for carpooling. There’s also a wireless charging pad up front to keep your smartphone topped up and ready to face a brand-new day. Front and rear parking sensors will help to ensure your commute ends on a smooth note.
HR-V: Award-Winning Safety
They say the best things in life come in small packages. The Honda HR-V is a solid example of that. While it’s the smallest SUV in the Honda lineup, it packs a serious punch with features that commuters will appreciate during their daily commute, including a combined EPA-estimated 27mpg. That’s solid fuel economy that will make your wallet happy from fewer trips to the pump. For its diminutive size, it offers a surprising amount of cabin room. If your commute includes passengers, they will enjoy being able to stretch their legs. There’s also a generous amount of cargo space, ideal for stashing whatever you need to bring along with you for the day. The interior is comfortable with a practical but stylish aesthetic and offers several storage cubbies throughout the cabin.
Depending on the trim you choose, you’ll have a seven-inch or nine-inch infotainment touchscreen at your fingertips to stream music from Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, enjoy the optional SiriusXM satellite radio, or play your favorite local radio station. A mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is an available option that will bring a new level to your work and entertainment.
Its safety features are where the HR-V truly shines. It offers a range of features, including automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane departure warnings. Adaptive cruise control will help you keep a safe distance from other vehicles and maintain the speed limit. It has also received a Five-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).[d] The IIHS (Insurance Institute For Highway Safety) designated the HRV-V a Top Safety Pick+, an added distinction for its superior collision safety test performance.[e]
CR-V Hybrid: Best Fuel Economy In The Line
While the CR-V and CR-V Hybrid share many similarities, there is one important difference worth highlighting. The most significant advantage the CR-V Hybrid has to offer is its fuel economy. Regenerative braking and other energy-saving technology can provide significant savings for all drivers, but especially those who have longer daily commutes that require regular stops to fuel up. That alone makes it a solid contender for a great commuter car, especially when paired with the quality and safety features of the standard CR-V.
Prologue: The One To Watch
Releasing in early 2024, the Honda Prologue has the potential to be another excellent SUV for your daily commute. This fully electric vehicle offers 300 miles of range on a full battery, making it an eco-friendly choice for suburban and urban environments. With fast DC fast charging, the Prologue can regain 65 miles of range every ten minutes. Let it charge while you’re busy in the office, and you’ll have a full battery when your work day ends and the rest of the day beckons.
The Prologue also offers compatibility with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and the available option of Google built-in to play your favorite driving music through the Bose Premium 12-speaker audio system. The center display is a generously sized touchscreen where you can control your music, get a high-quality view of GPS maps, and control the climate settings in the spacious interior.
As of the time of this writing, full specs have not been released for the Prologue. Based on the comfort, design, and tech options we’ve seen so far, it will be one for commuters to watch with the future in mind, especially if they want to take the most environmentally friendly approach to their daily travels.
There’s A Honda SUV For Every Commuter
Honda has always been at the forefront of innovation, bringing their determination and style to create a truly iconic brand. In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, they have risen to the challenge with higher fuel economy and a new emphasis on electric vehicles. But no matter how much the automotive world changes, Honda's commitment to quality remains immovable.
There are many SUVs to choose from in today’s market. It’s important to remember that none of them is ideal for every driver—the statistics, accolades, and reviews show which is the best choice for your driving life. But at the end of the day, what matters most is the reviews of drivers who love their SUVs and will return to a specific manufacturer year after year.
Honda has all of those factors. With its high fuel economy to save you money at the pump, its technology, its high safety ratings, and its emphasis on quality of life comforts, its SUVs provide one of the best commutes a driver could want. If you’re going to spend so much time in your vehicle, make it count. Take the wheel and enjoy the drive with a Honda SUV.