I’ll be honest: when I first heard I’d be revisiting a 2020 Honda CR-V Touring in 2026, I pictured myself falling asleep at the wheel. Compact SUVs are supposed to be sensible, right? But here’s the thing—this little Honda has aged like a fine wine that somehow still costs less than a fancy dinner for four. It’s not flashy. It’s not fast. But it’s so darn good at being a car that I found myself grinning after a week of highway runs, grocery hauls, and one ill-advised attempt at off-roading (don’t ask).

Let’s get the boring stuff out of the way. The 2020 CR-V Touring was the top-spec model back then, with an as-tested price of $35,846. In 2026, you can find one used for roughly half that, which makes it an absolute steal if you ask me. Under the hood sits a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder—yes, it’s small—but it churns out 190 horsepower and enough low-end torque to make merging onto the highway feel almost spirited. Almost. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) is the party pooper here; it’s smooth but occasionally seems confused about what to do with all that boost. A traditional automatic would be a welcome upgrade, but I’ve learned to live with it. The CR-V’s curb weight of 3,337 pounds is its secret weapon—light enough to feel nimble, heavy enough to not get blown around by a passing semi. The ride quality? Superb. I covered hundreds of highway miles without a single complaint from my lower back, which is more than I can say for my office chair.

Design-wise, the CR-V still holds up. My tester came in Aegean Blue Metallic—a color that sits perfectly between “safe gray” and “look at me blue.” The front bumper is a busy but tasteful mix of textures, colors, and openings. Silver accents break up the plastic cladding along the rocker panels, and the rear wheel arches flare out just enough to give it a slightly wider stance. The vertical LED taillights? A lovely nod to the original 1990s CR-V, which was about as luxurious as a cardboard box. Oh, how times have changed. Most of these fancy touches are Touring-exclusive, so if you’re shopping used, splurge for the top trim. Your eyeballs will thank you.

Inside, the CR-V Touring punches above its weight. The leather-trimmed dashboard and faux wood trim are clearly plastic, but Honda gave the wood a matte finish that looks genuinely sleek. The instrument cluster is a semi-digital layout with a central speedometer and a horizontal rev counter—sharp, legible, and standard on every trim. The seats, though, are the real heroes. They’re supportive, comfortable, and wrapped in leather that feels far more premium than the price suggests. I spent three hours in traffic and emerged without a single ache. That’s a miracle.

Now, the not-so-great bits. The infotainment screen is a classic Honda misstep. It’s smaller than its casing, leaving thick, ugly bezels that look like a tablet from 2012. All the controls are crammed on the left side, making the whole thing feel lopsided. And if you tap through menus too quickly, it lags like a browser with 47 tabs open. The gear selector is another head-scratcher—it sticks out of the dashboard like an afterthought. Honda already uses clean button setups in the Pilot, so why not here? It’s a minor annoyance, but in a cabin that otherwise feels upscale, it stands out.

Here’s a quick spec recap for the nerds among us:

So, is the 2020 Honda CR-V Touring still worth it in 2026? Absolutely. It’s not the fastest, the flashiest, or the most tech-laden compact SUV out there. But it nails the fundamentals: a comfortable ride, a quality interior, handsome styling, and a price that won’t make you weep. I’ve driven plenty of newer SUVs that cost twice as much and felt half as special. The CR-V Touring? It just works. And sometimes, that’s the highest praise I can give. 😄

Would I buy one? If I needed a reliable, comfortable, and secretly stylish daily driver, yes. Just promise me you’ll skip the CVT if Honda ever offers a traditional automatic. Until then, I’ll keep enjoying the boost and pretending I’m driving something sportier.