The Honda CRV was introduced into Honda’s lineup as a compact crossover SUV in 1997 and remains popular today. Honda vehicles are known for their reliability and for having the features consumers expect from today’s SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Honda CRV?
The Honda CRV has a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds to 1,500 pounds depending on the model year. All Honda CRVs made since 2002 can tow up to 1,500 pounds.
There’s a bit more to know about Honda CR-V towing capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
Honda CRV Towing Capacity By Year
As we covered earlier, the current Honda CRV can tow a maximum of 1,500 lbs.
The Passport has been in production from 1997 through the present. We’ve listed out the maximum tow capacity by year below for reference.
Note that for each model year, there are many variables that affect the total towing capability of each vehicle year, so we recommend checking your specific CRV year and trim level in the links below for an in-depth guide and to get the most accurate information for that year.
Here’s the maximum Honda CR-V Towing Capacity by year:
2023 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2022 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2021 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2020 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2019 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2018 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2017 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2016 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2015 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2014 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2013 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2012 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2011 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2010 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2009 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2008 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2007 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2006 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2005 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2004 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2003 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2002 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2001 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2000 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,000 pounds
1999 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,000 pounds
1998 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,000 pounds
1997 Honda CRV Tow Capacity: 1,000 pounds
Honda CRV Hybrid Towing Capacity
The 2023 Honda CRV Hybrid can tow 1,000 pounds.
Previous year models of the CRV Hybrid can tow 850 pounds.
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Honda CRV Diesel in a towing test:
Honda CRV Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Honda CRV Braked Tow Capacity: 1,000 lbs – 1,500 lbs.
Honda CRV Unbraked Tow Capacity: 1,000 lbs.
Honda CRV Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Honda CRV tow capacity.
Model Year
The CRV’s tow capability varied a bit by year and generation.
The tow capability of the Honda CRV stayed steady from 2003-2020, but earlier years had a slightly lower towing capacity.
Engine Type
Whether your Honda CRV is a gas engine, diesel, or hybrid can all impact how much weight the vehicle can tow.
Honda CRV Engine Specs
There are two engine options for the Honda CRV that are new in 2023.
1.5 Liter Turbo 4-Cylinder Engine (2023 CRV)
The 2023 Honda CRV gas engine is a 1.5 Liter 4-Cylinder turbocharged engine.
This engine produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb.-ft of torque.
2.0 Liter 4-Cylinder Hybrid Engine (2023 CRV Hybrid)
The 2023 Honda CRV hybrid engine is a 2.0 Liter 4-Cylinder hybrid engine with two electric motors.
This engine produces 204 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft of torque.
Honda CRV Tow Package Info
Does The Honda CRV Have A Tow Package?
Honda offers a factory-installed CRV trailer hitch.
It is available on the LX, Special Edition, EX, EX-L, and Touring gas models (2022), and includes the following:
- Honda CRV factory Class II receiver trailer hitch
- Draw bar, retaining pin, and clip
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Honda CRV?
If you plan on towing anything with your Honda CRV, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Honda CRV Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Honda CRV uses a Class 2 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class II Honda CRV trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 350 lbs. tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Honda CR-V
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your CRV:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Honda CRV Trailer Hitch Installation
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your CRV, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Honda CRV trailer hitch installation:
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With A Honda CRV?
The Honda CRV does not allow for bumper towing, so you’ll need to use a frame mounted hitch.
How Do I Know If My Honda CRV Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your CRV to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your CRV.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Honda CRV Owner’s Manuals on Honda’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with a Honda CRV.
