<p class="ingestion featured-caption">The 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular compact SUVs in the US and Honda's best-selling model.</li><li>I was impressed by the CR-V's refined hybrid powertrain, quiet ride, and excellent cabin ergonomics.</li></ul><p>The CR-V, or Comfortable Runabout Vehicle, was <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/honda-pilot-review-family-suv-bare-bones-price-tech-engine-2024-8">Honda's</a> first homegrown SUV when it debuted in 1997. Before then, the Japanese automaker had been selling rebranded sport utilities from Isuzu and Land Rover.</p><p>Since then, the CR-V has not only grown into one of the most popular compact SUVs in the market, competing against the likes of the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/toyota-rav4-hybrid-prime-plug-in-review-xse-2022-7">Toyota RAV4</a>, <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nissan-rogue-review-family-suv-controversial-3-cylinder-engine-2024-6">Nissan Rogue</a>, and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hyundai-tucson-hybrid-review-stylish-suv-cool-tech-fuel-efficiency-2024-5">Hyundai Tucson</a>, but it's also become Honda's best-selling model every year since 2017.</p><p>Honda successfully launched the sixth-generation CR-V in 2023, with more than 361,000 units sold in its first year, a 52% increase over 2022.</p>