2012 Honda CR-V MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Honda CR-V is rated 25 to 26 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Honda CR-V · 2 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

26MPG combined

23 city 30 highway

$2,600 a year to fuel

2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic

Best version costs $1,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,600 to $2,700 a year. Compared with 2011, the best gas version is up 2 mpg.

Fewer complaints than a typical CR-V year

The 2012 drew 98 owner complaints in its first three years, against 229 for a typical CR-V year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, and 2023; best year: 2016. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every CR-V year ranked The 2012 CR-V's recalls and problems

Every 2012 CR-V version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic Best EPA listing: CR-V 2WD	26 mpg	23 / 30	$2,600
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 5-speed automatic EPA listing: CR-V 4WD	25 mpg	22 / 29	$2,700

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic	$2,579	$215	$12,894
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 5-speed automatic	$2,682	$223	$13,410

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Honda CR-V MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 24 to 30 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 30 since 2017. Hybrid: 38 to 40 mpg (2020 to 2026); 40 since 2023.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2012: gas 26 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Honda CR-V best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	24	–
2011	24	–
2012	26	–
2013	26	–
2014	26	–
2015	29	–
2016	29	–
2017	30	–
2018	30	–
2019	30	–
2020	30	38
2021	30	38
2022	30	38
2023	30	40
2024	30	40
2025	30	40
2026	30	40

Every CR-V year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 CR-V compares

2012 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Ford Escape Best: hybrid	32 mpg	25 mpg	$2,100
Honda CR-V This page Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Kia Sportage Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Toyota RAV4 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$1,000
Subaru Outback Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$3,400
Subaru Forester Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900

2012 CR-V recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 403 owner complaints for the 2012 CR-V.

Owners most often describe power steering problems (27 complaints, 7%), then shaking or vibration (22). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2012 CR-V recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2012 Honda CR-V's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 2.4L 4-cyl gets 26 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 25 with AWD.

Does the 2012 Honda CR-V need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2012 Honda CR-V version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2012 CR-V's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 26 mpg, up 2 from 24.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.