Honda celebrates 30th birthday of the CR-V

Honda today marked the 30th anniversary of the Honda CR-V, a global SUV model of Honda that debuted with the market launch of the first-generation model in 1995.

CR-V sales started in Japan, but quickly expanded around the world, now sold in approximately 150 countries, with cumulative global sales exceeding 15 million units.

The CR-V, which originally stood for “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle,” was developed as an innovative SUV model under the concept of the “Creative Mover” series, which aimed to support people in creating more fun and enjoyable lifestyles, pioneering a new genre of “urban SUV” that offered excellent comfort and runabout capability.

In the 30 years since the initial launch in Japan in 1995, CR-V has gained and maintained popularity all around the world. While expanding sales into more markets, the CR-V continued to advance in line with the needs of the customer in each era.

In July 2024, the CR-V e:FCEV was launched as the first fuel cell vehicle with plug-in charging capability by a Japanese automaker. In August 2025, cumulative global unit sales of CR-V reached 15 million units. Based on total unit sales over the past ten years (2015-2024), the CR-V is the best-selling Honda automobile model, establishing itself as an important model representing the Honda SUV lineup.

In 2022, Honda launched the sixth-generation CR-V model lineup. The CR-V e:HEV, a hybrid variant featuring a comfortable cabin space and dynamic driving with the Honda two-motor hybrid system, has been well received by many customers around the world, mainly in North America and China, and is scheduled to be launched in Japan as well, in the near future.

Prior to the Japan launch, the CR-V e:HEV Prototype will be exhibited in the Honda booth at the Japan Mobility Show (Press days: Oct. 29 – 30, Public days: Oct. 31 – Nov. 9, 2025). Including CR-V models, Honda will continue to offer a lineup with a wide variety of mobility products and services that will contribute to making life more enjoyable for more customers around the world.