Japanese carmaker Honda marked a milestone on October 9, 2025, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Honda CR-V, one of its most successful and enduring nameplates. Since its debut in 1995, the CR-V has sold over 15 million units worldwide, establishing itself as a cornerstone of Honda’s SUV lineup.
Originally conceived as a part of Honda’s “Creative Mover” series, the CR-V, which stands for “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle,” was designed to offer car-like comfort with SUV versatility. It made its debut in Japan in 1995 and quickly became a global model, entering North America, Europe, and Asia within just two years.
Over six generations, the CR-V has evolved to meet changing customer needs and global trends. The second-generation model entered the scene in 2001. It offered improved interior packaging and expanded Honda’s SUV presence in China. In 2006, the third generation was launched with a restyled look, moving from boxy lines to a more modern, refined profile. It also came with a 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine and improved ride comfort, further cementing its appeal in urban markets.
By 2011, the fourth-generation CR-V rolled out, offering more aerodynamic styling, better fuel economy, and expanded cabin space, helping Honda reach the 5-million-unit sales mark. In 2016, the fifth generation came with not just improved styling but also a couple of new technologies that paved the way for the future. One of these is the Sport Hybrid i-MMD system, making the fifth-gen CR-V the first in its lineage to run with a hybrid powertrain. It also came standard in Japan with the Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features, underscoring the brand’s focus on safety innovation.
The current sixth-generation Honda CR-V debuted in 2022 with enhanced space, refined styling, and improved driving dynamics. Its e:HEV hybrid variant was well-received in major markets such as China and North America. The Japanese market has yet to get its allocation of the sixth-gen CR-V e:HEV. But the long wait could soon be over, as Honda will showcase a CR-V e:HEV Prototype at this year’s Japan Mobility Show (JMS), taking place in Tokyo from October 31 to November 9, 2025.
Honda’s electrification efforts continue in 2024 with the introduction of the CR-V e:FCEV. Based on the current-generation model, the Honda CR-V e:FCEV is the Japanese market’s first vehicle with fuel-cell and plug-in charging capabilities. According to Honda, the CR-V e:FCEV is gaining ground in global markets, particularly in North America and China.
To date, the Honda CR-V remains the brand’s best-selling model, available in approximately 150 countries. To celebrate the milestone, Honda has launched a dedicated CR-V 30th Anniversary website.
