Hey guys! Let's dive deep into the 2010 Honda CRV EX-L Sport Utility, a vehicle known for its reliability and practicality. If you're in the market for a used SUV, or just curious about this model, you’ve come to the right place. We'll cover everything from its performance and features to its pros and cons, giving you a comprehensive overview. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Overview of the 2010 Honda CRV EX-L

The 2010 Honda CRV EX-L is a compact SUV that’s part of the CRV's third generation, which spanned from 2007 to 2011. The EX-L trim sits at the top of the CRV lineup, offering a blend of comfort, convenience, and practicality that makes it a popular choice for families and individuals alike. This model year is particularly noteworthy because it received a mid-cycle refresh, which included some styling updates and feature enhancements.

When we talk about the Honda CRV, we're talking about a vehicle with a solid reputation for reliability. It consistently ranks high in consumer reports and owner satisfaction surveys. The 2010 EX-L model carries on this tradition, offering a well-rounded package that balances fuel efficiency, passenger space, and cargo capacity. It's an SUV that's equally at home on city streets and weekend getaways, making it a versatile option for a wide range of lifestyles.

Key Features and Specs

Let’s break down some of the key features and specifications of the 2010 CRV EX-L:

• Engine: The 2010 CRV EX-L is powered by a 2.4-liter inline-4 engine. This engine produces around 180 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate power for most driving situations. It’s not a powerhouse, but it offers a smooth and responsive driving experience.
• Transmission: A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard, which helps to deliver power efficiently to the wheels. The transmission is known for its smooth shifts and reliability, contributing to the overall comfortable driving experience.
• Fuel Economy: One of the standout features of the 2010 CRV EX-L is its fuel efficiency. It gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel-drive version gets slightly lower numbers but still respectable for an SUV of this size. These figures make it an economical choice for daily commuting and long trips.
• Interior: The EX-L trim comes with leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a premium audio system, adding a touch of luxury to the CRV’s practical nature. The interior is well-designed with user-friendly controls and plenty of storage spaces. The rear seats can be folded down to expand cargo capacity, making it easy to haul larger items.
• Safety: Safety is a strong point for the 2010 CRV EX-L. It comes standard with features like anti-lock brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. The CRV also performs well in crash tests, earning good ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This gives drivers and passengers peace of mind knowing they are in a safe vehicle.

Exterior and Interior Design

Let’s talk a bit about the design of the 2010 Honda CRV EX-L. The exterior received a facelift in 2010, giving it a more modern and refined look compared to earlier models in the third generation. The changes included a new grille, front bumper, and taillight design. The overall appearance is clean and understated, which appeals to buyers looking for a practical and stylish SUV.

Inside, the CRV EX-L offers a comfortable and functional cabin. The leather seats are a nice touch, providing a more upscale feel compared to the cloth seats in lower trims. The dashboard layout is intuitive, with controls that are easy to reach and use. The cabin is also surprisingly spacious, with plenty of headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. This makes it a great choice for families or anyone who frequently carries passengers.

Performance and Handling

The 2010 Honda CRV EX-L delivers a balanced performance that's well-suited for everyday driving. The 2.4-liter engine provides enough power for city and highway driving, and the 5-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and efficiently. While it’s not the quickest SUV on the market, the CRV EX-L offers a confident and comfortable driving experience.

Driving Experience

The driving experience in the 2010 CRV EX-L is characterized by its smooth ride and responsive handling. The suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and road imperfections, providing a comfortable ride for both the driver and passengers. The steering is light and precise, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and parking lots.

One thing to keep in mind is that the CRV EX-L is not designed for off-road adventures. It's primarily a road-focused SUV, and the all-wheel-drive system is more for added traction in inclement weather rather than serious off-roading. However, for typical driving conditions, the CRV EX-L performs admirably.

Engine and Transmission

As mentioned earlier, the 2010 CRV EX-L is powered by a 2.4-liter inline-4 engine producing 180 horsepower. This engine is known for its reliability and efficiency, making it a solid choice for a compact SUV. The 5-speed automatic transmission is a good match for the engine, providing smooth and timely shifts.

While some newer SUVs offer more gears or even continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), the 5-speed automatic in the 2010 CRV EX-L is a proven and dependable unit. It contributes to the overall reliability of the vehicle and helps to deliver decent fuel economy.

Interior Comfort and Technology

The interior of the 2010 Honda CRV EX-L is where it really shines. The EX-L trim is the top-of-the-line model, so it comes with a host of features that enhance comfort and convenience. Let's take a closer look at what the interior has to offer.

Seating and Space

The seats in the 2010 CRV EX-L are upholstered in leather, which adds a touch of luxury to the cabin. The front seats are heated, a feature that’s especially appreciated on cold mornings. Both front and rear seats offer good support and cushioning, making long drives more comfortable.

Space is another strong point for the CRV EX-L. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom in both rows of seats, so even taller passengers will feel comfortable. The rear seats can also be folded down to expand the cargo area, providing ample space for luggage, groceries, or other items. This flexibility makes the CRV EX-L a practical choice for a variety of needs.

Technology and Features

The 2010 CRV EX-L comes with a range of technology features that enhance the driving experience. Standard features include a premium audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, and an auxiliary input jack. The audio system delivers good sound quality, making it enjoyable to listen to music or podcasts on the go.

Other notable features include a sunroof, which lets in plenty of natural light, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system, which allows the driver and front passenger to set their preferred temperatures. The EX-L also comes with a multi-information display that provides important vehicle information, such as fuel economy and trip data.

While the 2010 CRV EX-L doesn’t have some of the advanced technology features found in newer vehicles, such as a touchscreen infotainment system or smartphone integration, it offers a solid set of features that meet the needs of most drivers.

Safety Features and Ratings

Safety is a critical consideration when buying any vehicle, and the 2010 Honda CRV EX-L performs well in this area. It comes with a comprehensive set of safety features and has earned good ratings from leading safety organizations.

Standard Safety Features

The 2010 CRV EX-L comes standard with a variety of safety features, including:

• Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Front-seat side airbags
• Full-length side curtain airbags
• Active front head restraints

These features work together to help prevent accidents and protect occupants in the event of a collision. The anti-lock brakes help to maintain steering control during hard braking, while stability control helps to prevent skidding. The airbags provide cushioning in a crash, and the active head restraints help to reduce the risk of whiplash injuries.

Safety Ratings

The 2010 Honda CRV EX-L has earned good safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The NHTSA gave the CRV EX-L an overall rating of four out of five stars, with five stars for side-impact protection and four stars for frontal-impact and rollover protection.

The IIHS named the 2010 CRV a