Compare the2026 Jeep WranglerVS 2026 Honda CR-V

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Wrangler. But it costs extra on the CR-V.

Both the Wrangler and the CR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Wrangler is safer than the Honda CR-V:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Wrangler is much safer than the CR-V:

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Jeep Wrangler 4-door is safer than the CR-V:

There are over 2 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Wrangler’s warranty.

The Wrangler has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the CR-V AWD’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Wrangler has a standard 700-amp battery. The CR-V’s 410-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Wrangler second among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The CR-V isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Wrangler has more powerful engines than the CR-V:

As tested in Car and Driver the Wrangler Moab 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the CR-V Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Wrangler 392’s fuel efficiency. The CR-V doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Wrangler and the CR-V have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Wranglers have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Wrangler 2-door’s standard fuel tank has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CR-V (17.5 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Wrangler 4-door’s standard fuel tank has 7.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CR-V (21.5 vs. 14 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jeep Wrangler higher (6 out of 10) than the Honda CR-V (5 to 6). This means the Wrangler produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CR-V every 15,000 miles.

The Wrangler 392’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CR-V doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Wrangler’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CR-V:

The Wrangler Moab 392’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CR-V are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Wrangler has larger standard tires than the CR-V (245/75R17 vs. 235/60R18). The Wrangler 4-door Moab 392/Xteme 35’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CR-V (315/70R17 vs. 235/60R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Wrangler 4Xe has standard 20-inch wheels. The CR-V’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Wrangler has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CR-V doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Wrangler has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the CR-V; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Wrangler has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CR-V’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Wrangler Rubicon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The CR-V doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Wrangler has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The CR-V doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door’s wheelbase is 12.1 inches longer than on the CR-V (118.4 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Wrangler is 1.4 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CR-V.

The Wrangler’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.2% to 47.4%) than the CR-V’s (57.6% to 42.4%). This gives the Wrangler more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the CR-V Hybrid’s (32.7 feet vs. 37 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wrangler 2-door has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CR-V (9.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Wrangler Rubicon 4-door Xtreme 35’s minimum ground clearance is 4.7 inches higher than on the CR-V (12.9 vs. 8.2 inches).

The Wrangler’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the left swing out door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The CR-V’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Wrangler’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the CR-V’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Honda CR-V is only 1500 pounds. The Wrangler 4-door offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Wrangler can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Wrangler can be unhitched and driven around locally. The CR-V can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Wrangler uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CR-V doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Wrangler has a much higher standard payload capacity than the CR-V (1218 vs. 850 lbs.).

The Wrangler has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the CR-V (1327 vs. 850 lbs.).

The engine in the Wrangler is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CR-V. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Wrangler’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The CR-V has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Wrangler and the CR-V have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Wrangler is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CR-V prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Wrangler’s front power windows lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The CR-V’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

Compared to the Honda CR-V, the Jeep Wrangler eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the driver’s visor.

The Wrangler Rubicon/Willys/Sahara/High Altitude/Rubicon has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CR-V doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Honda CR-V isn’t available as a soft top.

Motor Trend selected the Wrangler as their 2019 Sport Utility of the Year. The CR-V was Sport Utility of the Year in 2018.