Is Honda CR-V Good for Overlanding?

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Sometimes all a person needs is to get away from the busy life in the city. And overlanding can be an amazing way to do just that. Overlanding with your vehicle can be an amazing way to explore the outdoors and have an exciting off-road experience. 

Honda CR-V is a possible option for overlanding, but this SUV is far from being perfect for hardcore off-roading. It is a reliable, comfortable, and capable vehicle with all-wheel drive and enough ground clearance to challenge some difficult terrain. Another good thing about Honda CR-V is its spacious interior allows you to carry all the necessary equipment, supplies and baggage wherever you go without cramming the SUV.

The vehicle has its pros and cons, which we will take a closer look at later in this article. But overall, Honda CR-V is one of the suitable choices for overlanding adventures as it has a perfect balance of power, reliability, and comfort.

Honda CR-V Off-road Performance

This compact SUV is not specifically designed for outdoor adventures, yet it has some capabilities that make it suitable for overlanding. The features that make Honda CR-V fitting for overlanding are:

• Ground clearance
• AWD system
• Spacious cargo area
• Performance in poor weather

Clearance

Honda CR-V has a humble ground clearance across all the trims between 7.8 and 8.2 inches. This is much more space than some similar SUVs have and yet, such clearance is far from being perfect for real off-roading, especially if you do not equip your vehicle with skid plates to protect the body. This SUV can still go beyond the roads, but you should be careful with particularly rough terrains and sharp stones.

AWD

CR-V is available with all-wheel drive, which gives it some advantage on difficult terrain. Thanks to the AWD you can try some mild off-roading with this SUV without much risk.

Cargo area

Overlanding with a Honda CR-V is about the journey and experience and not the final destination. As overlanding can last for days, weeks and even years for some people, you would have to consider where to store all the equipment and supplies for a long, challenging trip. Spacious cargo area and interior space will come in handy.

Performance in snow & rain

Thanks to the stability control system and AWD systems, Honda CR-V demonstrates great performance not only in snow and rain but also on slippery icy roads. However, its performance in challenging weather conditions can be improved with off-roading tires.

Pros and Cons of Using a Honda CR-V for Overlanding

Overlanding often includes some serious off-roading expertise and equipment. So, naturally, Honda CR-V is not perfect for overlanding by any means, but it can still manage if you are careful. To better understand what you are getting yourself into if you want to go overlanding with a CR-V, let's look closely at its strong suits and also some major drawbacks.

Pros and Cons of Using a Honda CR-V for Overlanding

Pros of using a Honda CR-V for overlanding

Fuel efficiency. There are not that many gas stations in the wilderness, so you would want your SUV to be as frugal with fuel as possible. Honda CR-V is generally considered a rather fuel-efficient vehicle which is great for overlanding.

It is important to remember that fuel efficiency is not something constant. Your driving style, fuel quality, driving conditions and how much baggage you haul with it.

Cargo space. Having enough space to take everything you need for overlanding is very important. The spacious interior of the Honda CR-V lets you pack all the equipment, food, water and clothes you need during a lengthy journey. Moreover, you can also expect to still have some space left to rest inside the SUV.

Comfort and convenience features. Small things like power outlets, climate control, comfy seats and infotainment system create that feeling of comfort and safety that is lacking in the wilderness. And who would pass the opportunity to enjoy the sunlight and fresh air through the moonroof on top?

All-wheel drive capabilities. While overlanding with a Honda CR-V, you will definitely appreciate better traction and handling in difficult driving conditions. Gravel, mud and sand can be very challenging without the AWD that provides a firm grip on the unstable surface. That said, do not venture into the real off-roading territory with this SUV.

Cons of using a Honda CR-V for overlanding

Limited ground clearance. The Honda CR-V's ground clearance is a bit too low to be considered safe for overlanding and off-roading on difficult terrain. You can go overlanding despite this flaw, its clearance is enough for some careful mild off-roading. Also, car modifications can be a viable option for your Honda.

Limited towing capacity. Some people might prefer to have a bit more comfort and travel with a trailer in tow. Unfortunately, Honda CR-V is not a perfect option for overlanding with a trailer or anything of that sort because of its limited towing capacity. Add some difficult terrain and heavy cargo and the towing capacity will decrease even further.

Limited off-road capability. Honda CR-V is not an off-roading SUV and you should keep that in mind. It is quite powerful. However, it is also too fragile and poorly protected to do hardcore off-roading. An occasional shallow mud puddle or sandy trail is a breath for CR-V, but that is where you should draw the line.

Limited aftermarket support. For some reason, Honda CR-V is not very popular among aftermarket parts manufacturers. If you want to modify your SUV for overlanding, it might prove more difficult because of a lack of variety.

Modifications for Overlanding with a Honda CR-V

If you're looking to overland with your Honda CR-V, there are several modifications you can make to get the most out of it. Lift kits raise your ride height and provide better ground clearance. Off-road tires offer more traction and durability on uneven terrain. Skid plates protect your vehicle's undercarriage from hazards and damage. Cargo carriers and roof racks give you extra storage space, while an upgraded suspension system handles the extra weight and provides better stability. Finally, winches and recovery gear can help get you out of stuck situations in remote areas.

Nick Marchenko, PhD

Industrial Engineer & Automotive Content Specialist

Nick writes in-depth guides on car clubs, engine specs, vehicle ownership, and modifications, combining engineering knowledge with automotive passion.

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