The CR-V is the brand’s best-selling vehicle. In 2022 alone, the Japanese automaker sold 238,155 CR-Vs in the United States, so it’s easy to see that Americans love the popular crossover SUV. After all, it’s comfortable, fuel-efficient, and easy to drive. Speaking of driving, we know it comes with a CVT, but is it also available with a manual transmission?
Can you shift gears yourself in a 2023 Honda CR-V?
The short answer is no; you can’t get a 2023 CR-V equipped with a stick shift. It’s a shame. Instead, every trim level of the current Honda CR-V comes standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for optimal fuel efficiency. It can also be linked to a real-time all-wheel drive should buyers need the extra traction.
and can attest to the automatic transmission’s smooth ride. It didn’t hum the car at highway speeds or when under heavy acceleration, like many CVTs did in the past. To get around the hum problem, Honda has programmed dummy gears into the CVT’s operation to “shift” to the higher rpm range. These gear changes allow the car to accelerate like a car with normal gears, which makes for a familiar driving experience for most buyers.
Did the Honda CR-V ever come with a manual transmission?
YES. The Honda CR-V was available with a five-speed manual transmission during the first (1996-2001) and second generation (2002-2006). The CR-V came with the shift-it-yourself transmission in its front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive form. The latter configuration makes used CR-Vs with manual transmissions a rare and highly sought-after car on the used market.
As you can imagine, the manual transmission CR-V didn’t sell very well when the car was new, which is why it now only comes with an automatic transmission. Most drivers would rather not have to row in their gears.
Is it worth buying a used Honda CR-V with a manual transmission?
Yes, if you can find a clean example of a used Honda CR-V with a , we think it’s definitely worth picking up. A nationwide search of CarGurus revealed 18 listings, which ranged in price from $5,000 to $9,000, depending on the car’s condition, age, and location. That’s worth noting considering most CR-Vs have over 200,000 miles on their odometers, which isn’t uncommon for a nearly 20-year-old car.
Which current Honda models can be equipped with a manual transmission?
Buyers eager to feel more connected to their cars may be wondering which Honda models currently come with manual transmissions. For 2023, Civic Hatchback (Sport and Sport Touring), Civic Si and Civic Type R are the only models equipped with manual transmissions.
Every other model in the range is only available with a CVT, which shows that Honda is all about fuel efficiency and a smooth driving experience. Let’s just hope it keeps the manual alive in future generations of the Civic.
