Whether you want to haul kayaks, a little sailboat, or a small cargo trailer with lightweight items, the 2025 Honda CR-V can get the job done. This compact SUV offers both a gas-powered engine and a hybrid version for increased fuel efficiency so you can tow all your gear on your next weekend getaway. Our team at Ciocca Honda in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, wrote this guide to show you everything you can haul with the new 2025 CR-V.
Introducing the 2025 Honda CR-V
Honda introduced the first CR-V compact SUV in 1997, and to this day, it remains one of Honda's most popular vehicles on the market. The 2025 CR-V is a two-row crossover that can fit up to five people comfortably and has a maximum cargo capacity of 76.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down. This capable and stylish SUV offers six trim levels:
- Gas-only trims: LX, EX, and EX-L
- Hybrid trims: Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid
All trim levels come standard with durable and comfortable materials, attractive features such as leather seats on the upper trims, an infotainment system with a 7- to 9-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and navigation.
Towing Capacity Explained
If you're wondering, "What is towing capacity?", it's the maximum amount of weight a vehicle can pull based on the manufacturer's recommendation, including the gross weight of the trailer and all cargo.
You can find the maximum towing capacity in your CR-V's owner's manual, on the driver's side door jamb, or by consulting our team. Exceeding the maximum towing capacity will strain the drivetrain and powertrain. If your Honda CR-V's towing capacity is higher than the total weight of the trailer or boat you're hauling, it should be safe to hitch up and tow.
Factors That Influence Towing Capacity
Manufacturers use several factors to determine the maximum towing capacity, including:
- Gross vehicle weight rating: This is the maximum loaded weight of the vehicle, including the weight of the vehicle itself, fuel, passengers, and cargo.
- Gross combined weight rating: This rating is the combined maximum weight of your vehicle with a trailer attached. It factors the weight of the vehicle, occupants, the trailer, and the cargo inside the trailer. This is the maximum towing weight of a vehicle.
- Gross trailer weight: This rating refers to the total weight of the trailer when empty.
- Tongue weight: This is the total amount of weight the vehicle can handle at the coupling point. This factor helps you load the trailer for the ideal balance without placing excessive downward force on the back of the towing vehicle.
Honda CR-V's Towing Abilities
Much of the Honda CR-V's towing ability depends on the weight of the trailer, its cargo, the number of occupants, and the amount of gear inside. The more weight you have inside the CR-V, the less towing capacity it will have. Before hitching a trailer, determine how much weight it can carry since this number will affect the overall maximum towing capacity. Consider how many passengers you'll have and how much water, food, supplies, and fuel you'll need to arrive at your destination.
Honda CR-V's Towing Capacity
The Honda CR-V's performance and powertrain options are a major factor in the CR-V's towing capacity. The 2025 CR-V's gas-only LX, EX, and EX-L models have a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with an output of 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. With this engine and the proper equipment, the 2025 CR-V can tow up to 1,500 pounds.
With the hybrid model, you get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine paired with dual motors for a combined output of 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid's towing capacity is 1,000 pounds.
Use Cases
While 1,000 or 1,500 pounds isn't a lot of weight to tow, there are several items you can haul. So, what can the Honda CR-V tow?
If you have the hybrid model with a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 pounds, you can tow items such as:
- Small aluminum boats or skiffs
- A small 5-by-8 cargo trailer
- A lightweight camping trailer
- An empty trailer with lightweight kayaks or paddleboards
You can tow a bit more with the gas engine's 1,500-pound capacity, including:
- A 700-pound trailer
- An aluminum boat with a motor
- More adventure gear or cargo
Because the empty trailer may weigh 200 to 700 pounds, that only leaves you the difference in towing capacity for all your cargo and gear. Be sure you have the right trailering equipment, including the hitch, wiring harness, trailer brakes, and controllers.
Comparison With Competitors
The 2025 Honda CR-V is a compact SUV, and the gas-only trims can tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. Some competitors require you to purchase a higher trim to get the maximum towing capacity. For example:
- The Toyota RAV4 starts at 1,500 pounds and goes up with more expensive trims.
- The Ford Escape starts at 1,500 pounds and has a higher towing capacity, but you'll have to pay more for the higher trims and equipment.
In comparison, the 2025 Honda CR-V offers an impressive towing capacity for a small crossover SUV without having to spend more for higher trims.
Visit Ciocca Honda for a Test-drive
If you're ready for an adventure with a new 2025 Honda CR-V, stop by Ciocca Honda in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to take one for a test drive and learn more about its unique features and towing capacity. Feel free to contact us for more information about all our automotive services, flexible finance options, and monthly and seasonal specials.
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