Used Honda CR-V 2012: A Budget-Friendly Option with Surprising Capabilities

The All-New Honda CRV is Making Waves in the Market

However, for pre-owned car buyers, earlier generations of the CRV hold equal appeal. Priced at par with an entry-level hatchback, offering ample space, and powered by a 2.4-liter engine that outperforms most B-segment SUVs today, the 2012 Honda CRV is an ideal choice for budget-conscious buyers. We had a chat with Mr. Tan (34, Ha Long), to learn about his family’s 2012 Honda CRV.

Mr. Tan, would you please introduce your car to us?

Greetings to the readers of tinxe.vn! I’ve had this CRV for almost a year now. It’s my third car; before this, I drove a 2018 Toyota Vios. When I first got my driver’s license, I owned a 1988 Camry imported from the US, a pretty old model.

You started with a 1988 model, then upgraded to a 2018 car, and now you’re back to a 2012 model. It seems you prefer exploring older cars instead of buying new ones?

That’s not entirely true. I’m in my early 30s, so I still have a youthful spirit. I bought that Camry to practice driving, to gain experience when I first got my license. After I became comfortable driving, I bought the Vios.

When I was driving the 1988 Camry, I had to learn like a mechanic. But when I got the 2018 Vios, it was a different story; the car was very reliable, durable, and economical. I didn’t have to worry about much.

Why did you choose a 2012 Honda CRV after being so satisfied with your Toyota Vios?

The Vios was a spacious, reliable car with a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter engine, but it had some drawbacks typical of low-slung sedans. I needed an SUV to accommodate my family.

The Honda CRV may be 12 years old, but it’s an excellent value for money. Its current market price is only around 360-390 million VND, which is comparable to entry-level hatchbacks but offers ample space for a family of four, with a capacious trunk and storage compartments.

I live in a remote province, but spare parts and components are easy to find. When I order parts, they arrive from Hanoi within a day. The car is old, so I’m not too picky about the replacement parts, but I insist on genuine fluids like engine oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid.

This car has a 2.4-liter engine, which Honda has retained in subsequent generations of the CRV. The 2.4-liter engine may have a large displacement, but its combined fuel consumption is only 9 liters per 100 km, which is reasonable for an SUV with over 116,000 km on the odometer.

Compared to my old Vios, the running costs are almost identical.

Typically, buyers who own a 2018 model would upgrade to a higher-end vehicle or switch to a different model with similar features but larger dimensions, greater height, and more advanced technologies. However, you have opted for a significantly older model. Do you feel like you’re missing out?

Not at all. My philosophy is to buy a car that serves my work and family needs. This CRV cost 1.2 billion VND when it was new, but it can now be purchased for less than 400 million VND. Its value proposition is unbeatable.

The seats are comfortable, the visibility is excellent, and the cabin is spacious, so my family of four can travel comfortably together. It has dual-zone automatic climate control that cools the cabin down rapidly.

I wouldn’t choose the Chevrolet Trax or Ford EcoSport because they have cramped cabins, uncomfortable seats, and underpowered engines, making long journeys tiring. They would struggle with a full load or heavy cargo. I thoroughly researched this older CRV before making a decision.