What is the best year for a Honda CR-V?

The 2022 CR-V is the strongest used buy. It sits at the mature end of the fifth generation — after Honda resolved the early oil dilution complaints that plagued 2017–2019 models — with just 216 complaints and only 8 severe issues on record. The 2020–2022 range is generally clean. Strongly avoid the 2017–2018 model years; they generated over 1,700 and 2,000 complaints respectively, driven by a well-documented 1.5T engine oil dilution problem.

How much does Honda CR-V insurance cost?

The CR-V averages about $1,951/year to insure — roughly $163/month. That's among the lower rates in the compact SUV class, reflecting its strong safety scores and moderate repair costs. Actual rates vary by trim, model year, and driver profile, but the CR-V is consistently a favorable quote for buyers prioritizing low total cost of ownership.

Is the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The CR-V and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $407/year versus $429/year — a difference of about $22 annually. Over five years that's roughly $110, which is negligible. The CR-V holds a slight reliability edge (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (9% vs. 10%), but both are among the most cost-efficient compact SUVs you can buy.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda CR-V?

For most buyers, no. The CR-V's 9% major repair probability is below the compact class average, and its 9/10 reliability score means you're statistically unlikely to need expensive unscheduled repairs. The exception: if you're buying a used 2017–2019 model, coverage is worth taking seriously given the documented engine issues from that generation. For 2020 and newer, self-insuring is the smarter financial move.

Is the Kia Sportage expensive to maintain?

The Sportage averages $462/year in maintenance — $59 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 19% is well below the class average of 30% — owners visit for unscheduled repairs far less often than most rivals. Major repair probability of 11% is at the class average. Low cost and low visit frequency make it a strong ownership value.

What is the best year for a Kia Sportage?

The 2022 Sportage (42 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety, 6 severe) is the standout used pick — the mature end of the fourth generation before the 2023 redesign. The new fifth-generation launch in 2023 had 177 complaints but settled quickly to 62 in 2024 and 46 in 2025. Avoid 2012-2013 and 2017, which saw complaint spikes tied to the Theta II engine recall era.

How much does Kia Sportage insurance cost?

Sportage insurance averages around $1,997/year, or about $166/month.

Is the Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $33/year cheaper — $429 versus $462 for the Sportage. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The Sportage's repair frequency of 19% is significantly lower than the RAV4's 26%, meaning fewer unscheduled shop visits despite the slightly higher annual maintenance figure.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Sportage?

Major repair probability of 11% at the class average, repair frequency well below it. Low-risk ownership. Extended warranty isn't strongly warranted for 2021+ models. For 2012-2013 and 2017 used models with documented engine recall history, coverage is worth taking seriously.

Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Honda CR-V — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the Kia Sportage if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Honda CR-V	Kia Sportage
Annual maintenance	$407winner	$462
5-year total cost	$2,035winner	$2,310
Reliability score	9 / 10winner	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	9%winner	11%
Cargo space	76.5 cu ftwinner	73.7 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$33,500	$30,900winner
Best years to buy	2013, 2014, 2015	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Honda CR-V	Kia Sportage
RepairPal score	9 / 10winner	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	190.9	185.7winner
Years to avoid	2017, 2018, 2019	2010, 2012, 2013
Value retained · 3 yr	86.7%winner	75.7%
Value retained · 5 yr	71.1%winner	56.8%
Value retained · 7 yr	58%winner	45%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Honda CR-V	Kia Sportage
Engine	19.3%winner	55.6%
Electrical	8.7%	6.1%winner
ADAS	16.6%	5.8%winner
Brakes	4.0%winner	8.5%
Steering	11.6%	1.5%winner
Fuel system	8.1%	1.1%winner
Tires/Wheels	2.0%	0.5%winner
Glass/Windows	3.4%	2.7%winner
Airbags	8.1%	2.5%winner
Lighting	—winner	1.0%
Seatbelt	1.0%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Honda CR-V	Kia Sportage
Avg annual premium	$1,951winner	$1,997

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Honda CR-V

$407/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Kia Sportage

$462/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The CR-V averages $407/year in maintenance costs — $114 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score and 9% major repair probability are both better than the class averages of 8 and 11% respectively. Repair frequency of 30% matches the segment average, but the combination of low cost per visit and a below-average major-repair risk makes it the strongest long-term ownership value in the compact class.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →