Used Honda CR-V for Sale near Montreal

Honda CR-V generations to know in Quebec

The CR-V is Honda’s best-selling compact SUV, and you see it everywhere on the roads of the North Shore and the Laurentians. Used, two generations dominate the Quebec market. The 5th generation (2017 to 2022) was a turning point: it introduced the 1.5 L turbo engine on most versions, a noticeably roomier cabin and one of the most generous cargo areas in its class. The 6th generation (2023 and newer) bets on a boxier style, a more upscale interior finish and a hybrid version well suited to our mixed city and highway driving.

On 2017-2018 models, the naturally aspirated 2.4 L was still offered on the base LX, while the turbo powered the EX, EX-L and Touring. From 2020, the turbo became standard across the range. On a used budget, the 5th generation offers the best combination of space, reliability and price today.

Reliability and known issues, generation by generation

The CR-V has an excellent reputation for longevity, but a few points deserve an honest check when buying used. The best documented one concerns the 1.5 L turbo engine of 2017-2018 models: in cold climates like ours, some owners have reported fuel diluting the oil (gasoline mixing with the oil), especially on short trips where the engine never fully warms up. Honda has released corrective software updates. It’s precisely the kind of history to validate with the maintenance log and a cold-start test drive.

• 2017-2018 turbo: check the oil level and any smell of gasoline in the oil, and confirm that recalls and updates have been applied.
• 2017-2019: air conditioning sometimes temperamental on certain production batches; test how cold the A/C blows in hot weather.
• CVT transmission: robust but sensitive to maintenance, since neglected fluid wears the gearbox out prematurely.
• 2020-2022: the most refined years of the 5th generation, with few major mechanical complaints.

None of this is a dealbreaker: a well-maintained CR-V easily passes 250,000 km. The key is the history.

What we check on a used CR-V

Before delivering a CR-V, we focus on the sensitive points of an SUV that has been through our winters. Honda’s Real Time AWD is a responsive and reliable system, but its rear differential uses a specific fluid that needs to be replaced periodically, a service that’s often forgotten and can cause chatter in tight turns. We check it systematically.

• Condition of the underbody, signs of corrosion (road salt) on the frame rails and brake lines.
• Operation of the Real Time AWD and its rear differential fluid.
• CVT behaviour when cold, with no jerking or hesitation.
• Brake pad wear, condition of the shocks, alignment.
• Maintenance log and Honda recalls completed.

We always encourage a third-party pre-purchase mechanical inspection: it’s your best insurance, and a good CR-V has nothing to hide.

Maintenance costs and winter driving

The CR-V is among the least expensive compact SUVs to maintain. Parts are plentiful and affordable in Quebec, and Honda mechanics are familiar to shops. The 1.5 L turbo mainly calls for rigour with oil changes (interval respected, oil of the right specification), all the more so in winter when dilution is more likely. For the all-wheel drive, plan on replacing the rear differential fluid according to Honda’s schedule.

In winter, the Real Time AWD combined with a good set of winter tires, mandatory in Quebec from December 1 to March 15, makes for a reassuring vehicle on snow and ice. The CR-V’s ground clearance and visibility make it an excellent companion on North Shore roads.

Why buy your CR-V from BonAuto

At BonAuto, in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, every CR-V is inspected and presented with its history. We operate with a valid OPC licence, and the legal warranty set out in the Consumer Protection Act applies depending on the age and mileage of the vehicle. No pressure: we explain the real condition of the mechanics and answer your questions.

To plan your purchase, use our used vehicle tax calculator (GST 5% + QST 9.975% at a dealership, with the trade-in reducing the taxable amount). Imperfect credit? We can help with financing suited to bad credit. And if the exact CR-V you’re looking for isn’t in stock, see all our used Honda vehicles or ask us to find it for you.