The 2002 Honda CR-V with the common 2.0-liter engine and automatic transmission typically achieves about 22 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway, for roughly 23 mpg combined. Real-world results vary based on drivetrain, maintenance, and driving conditions.
Context and what to expect
For the 2002 CR-V, the EPA ratings reflect the U.S. market configuration and the engine-transmission pairings Honda offered at the time. The model was available with two-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and most US-specs used a 4-speed automatic transmission. These factors influence the official mileage estimates you’ll see cited in brochures and older reviews.
EPA-estimated mpg by configuration
Below are the commonly cited EPA estimates for the U.S.-market 2002 CR-V with the 2.0-liter engine and automatic transmission. The numbers are typical baselines and individual results vary by driving conditions.
- 2WD with automatic transmission: about 22 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (roughly 23 mpg combined).
- AWD (4WD) with automatic transmission: about 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (roughly 23 mpg combined).
Note: These figures refer to EPA estimates and represent idealized conditions. Real-world fuel economy can differ due to factors such as traffic patterns, terrain, payload, tire maintenance, and overall vehicle condition.
Real-world considerations
Owners and reviewers from the era often observed that highway mileage could reach the upper 20s with steady, light-traffic driving, while city driving tended to pull the average down. Maintenance practices like proper tire inflation, timely engine tune-ups, and appropriate air filter replacements can influence mpg, especially in an older vehicle where efficiency has already aged with time.
Summary
For a 2002 Honda CR-V, expect roughly 22 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on highways with the typical 2.0-liter engine and automatic transmission; AWD models usually show similar highway mileage with slightly lower city figures. The average across configurations sits around 23 mpg combined, with real-world results varying by driving style and condition.