Choosing between the mid-tier trims of America’s favorite family SUV can feel incredibly overwhelming when you are staring at similar spec sheets. Here at Vroomdan, we understand that you want to maximize your hard-earned dollars while avoiding those dreaded dealership markups. Our comprehensive breakdown of the **2020 honda crv ex vs exl** highlights the crucial mechanical, technological, and luxury upgrades that will help you solve your buying dilemma today, leading you right into the hidden features that many owners don’t know about.
Your CR-V has a secret trick that starts the SUV when your key fob dies.
And 14 other things Honda never told you.
Dead fob fix · Global window down trick · The hidden folding picnic table · Walk Away Auto Lock · and 11 more.
▶ Read Now — Show Me Everything
bryansgarage.com · Bryan Mark
In This Guide
- The Ultimate Breakdown: Solving the primary interior, price, and standard feature differences immediately.
- Under-the-Hood Diagnostics: A mechanic’s look at the 1.5-liter Earth Dreams turbocharger.
- HondaLink System Reboots: Practical DIY steps to fix frozen screens without going to the shop.
- Maintenance Protocols: Simple garage hacks to preserve your SUV’s components and longevity.
The Ultimate Breakdown: 2020 Honda CRV EX vs EXL
Comparing the mid-range packages of the popular 5th gen crv can feel like trying to solve a complicated financial puzzle.
Many family buyers struggle to see the 2020 honda crv ex vs exl specs differences at a first glance.
You want to know if spending extra on the higher trim level makes physical and practical sense.
Let us address the financial aspect first to make your decision easier.
According to the latest 2020 honda crv kbb resale projections, the price gap has narrowed significantly on the pre-owned market.
If you look at the standard 2020 honda crv ex, you get a highly capable family SUV.
It is equipped with the standard 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine.
This motor produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque.
Step up to the luxury-focused 2020 honda crv exl, and you will find the exact same powertrain under the hood.
Therefore, your upgrade money does not purchase more horsepower or mechanical performance.
Instead, the premium is spent entirely on cabin comfort, premium materials, and daily convenience.
The most prominent visual difference lies in the seating upholstery.
The EX-L features premium leather-trimmed seats, whereas the EX relies on durable cloth upholstery.
If you have young kids or messy pets, the nightmare of scrubbing deep spills out of fabric seats might make leather feel like an absolute necessity.
When shopping for a used 2020 honda crv ex vs exl, you should pay close attention to wear on these leather surfaces.
Additionally, the EX-L adds a 2-position driver’s seat memory system.
This system is highly practical if you and your spouse regularly swap driving duties.
You will also appreciate the power tailgate on the EX-L model.
This automated feature is missing on the standard EX trim, which only offers a manual rear hatch.
For busy parents carrying heavy groceries, the absolute exhaustion of struggling with a heavy manual tailgate makes the power liftgate worth every single penny.
Let us look closely at the interior trim differences to understand the value.
The EX-L replaces the standard plastic shift knob with a luxurious leather-wrapped shift lever and steering wheel.
It also includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
This mirror automatically saves you from the blinding glare of high-beams behind you during late-night highway drives.
The passenger seat in the EX-L also receives a power-adjustment upgrade, giving your co-pilot four ways of electronic movement.
Understanding the actual difference between ex and exl crv 2020 will help you negotiate a fairer price at the dealership.
| Feature Description | 2020 Honda CR-V EX | 2020 Honda CR-V EX-L |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Upholstery | Premium Cloth | Leather-Trimmed Seating |
| Rear Liftgate | Manual Hatch | Programmable Power Tailgate |
| Driver Memory Seats | Not Available | 2-Position Memory Save |
| Passenger Front Seat | 4-Way Manual Adjust | 4-Way Power Adjust |
| Rearview Mirror | Manual Day/Night Flasher | Auto-Dimming Electronic Mirror |
| Steering Wheel & Shift Knob | Urethane Finish | Leather-Wrapped Trim |
| Audio Output System | 180-Watt, 6-Speaker Setup | 180-Watt, 8-Speaker Setup |
Our mechanic team notes that the sound quality also gets a slight boost in the higher tier.
While both trims utilize a 180-watt audio system, the EX-L uses eight speakers instead of six.
This provides a richer acoustic environment for your daily commutes.
Both models ride on identical 18-inch alloy wheels.
They also share identical suspension tunings and a curb weight that varies by only a few pounds.
Therefore, the actual ride quality and road handling remain identical.
You will enjoy the exact same fuel economy ratings on both setups.
Both front-wheel-drive configurations achieve an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
All-wheel-drive options drop these figures slightly to 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
If you are upgrading from the basic entry-level 2020 honda crv lx, either choice represents a massive step forward in everyday usability.
However, when looking closely at the popular 2020 crv ex vs exl lineup, the visual cabin refinement of the EX-L remains completely unmatched.
Mechanical Analysis: Understanding the 1.5L Turbo Engine Performance
Many drivers do not realize that both models feature the Honda L15B7 engine.
This direct-injection, turbocharged motor relies on advanced variable valve timing.
Our ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified mechanics have worked on hundreds of these 1.5-liter powerplants.
One common point of discussion in the CR-V Owners Club community is the potential for fuel dilution in the engine oil.
This issue occurs when unburnt gasoline passes by the piston rings and mixes with the oil in the crankcase.
It is especially common in cold climates during short, low-speed driving trips.
To avoid this problem, you must perform regular preventative maintenance.
We highly recommend changing your engine oil every 5,000 miles.
Always use a high-quality, fully synthetic 0W-20 motor oil to ensure proper lubrication.
This specific viscosity ensures rapid oil flow during freezing cold morning starts.
Never ignore a strong smell of gasoline when checking your oil dipstick.
If you notice this odor, the intense anxiety of potential engine wear can easily be solved with a quick oil change and a diagnostic check.
You should also let the engine reach full operating temperature on long highway runs.
This practice allows the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system to burn off any trapped fuel vapors naturally.
Another critical mechanical component is the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
This transmission provides seamless gear ratio adjustments to maximize your fuel efficiency.
However, it requires specialized fluid maintenance to prevent premature mechanical wear.
Honda specifies using only genuine Honda HCF-2 fluid in this transmission.
Do not let a generic repair shop put standard transmission oil in your vehicle.
Using the wrong fluid will destroy the internal steel belt and pulleys of your CVT.
Our mechanics always stress using OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts for your drivetrain to preserve reliability.
When comparing the mechanical longevity of the honda crv ex l vs ex 2020 models, both will easily pass 200,000 miles if properly serviced.
CR-V Cabin Electronics: How to Reboot Your HondaLink Display Audio
Both the EX and EX-L models share the same 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen interface.
This unit includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration for seamless smartphone connectivity.
Unfortunately, many owners experience occasional system freezes or connectivity dropouts.
You might plug your smartphone in only to see a completely blank black screen.
Dealing with a non-responsive screen during a long road trip is highly frustrating and ruins the mood for the entire family.
Before you schedule an expensive service appointment, you can execute a quick hard reboot of the system yourself.
This DIY trick can be completed in your driveway in less than two minutes.
First, start the vehicle and wait for the screen to show an error or remain frozen.
Press and hold the physical audio power button located on the top-left of the display unit.
Continue holding this button down for approximately ten seconds.
A pop-up menu will appear asking if you want to reboot the system.
Select “Yes” on the touchscreen to initiate a full hardware power cycle.
The system will shut down completely and reboot within thirty seconds.
This simple trick clears the system’s temporary memory cache and resolves most software conflicts.
If you want to dive deeper into upgrade options, the premium 2020 honda crv touring trim offers built-in navigation and wireless phone charging.
However, for the vast majority of owners, the standard 7-inch screen on the EX and EX-L is more than sufficient.
By understanding the physical differences between the 2020 crv ex vs ex l, you can avoid paying for extra technology you do not need.
Practical Application Guide & Maintenance Tips
Maintaining your SUV should not require a second mortgage or expensive mechanic bills.
You can easily handle several preventative maintenance tasks in your own garage.
For example, replacing the cabin air filter is a simple ten-minute job that requires no special tools.
This filter is located directly behind your glove box compartment.
To access it, open the glove box and squeeze the outer plastic tabs inward.
The glove box will swing down, exposing the black plastic filter tray.
Slide the tray out and replace the dirty filter with a fresh OEM element.
Doing this yourself will save you up to fifty dollars in dealership labor costs.
You can also maintain your battery connections to prevent key fob and electrical errors.
Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush and apply a thin coat of terminal protector.
This simple step prevents corrosion and ensures clean power delivery to the sensitive Honda Sensing safety suite.
The Honda Sensing suite relies on a camera mounted behind the rearview mirror and a radar sensor behind the front grille.
Always keep your windshield and front Honda emblem clean to ensure these systems function flawlessly.
If dirt blocks the radar sensor, the sudden panic of receiving a dash warning might make you think something is mechanically broken.
In reality, a quick wipe with a clean microfiber cloth is all it takes to restore full system function.
Overcoming Common DIY Mistakes
We often see home mechanics make minor mistakes that lead to expensive repair bills.
First, never use incorrect fluids when servicing your vehicle’s engine and transmission.
Your engine requires specific weight oils and your transmission demands genuine HCF-2 fluid to prevent belt slippage.
Second, do not break the plastic clips when removing trim panels during DIY repairs.
If you are working on the door panels or trunk lid, always use dedicated plastic trim removal tools.
Using a metal flathead screwdriver will scratch the paint and easily snap the delicate retention clips.
Third, never ignore software updates or DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) alerts for your vehicle’s engine control module.
While some updates require a dealer visit, the ultimate peace of mind of having your vehicle running on the latest factory calibrations is worth the effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2020 Honda CR-V EX have leather seats?
No, the EX trim comes exclusively with durable premium cloth seats.
If you want leather-trimmed seats, you must choose the EX-L or the Touring model.
Can I add a power tailgate to a 2020 Honda CR-V EX after purchasing?
While it is technically possible with aftermarket kits, it is highly complex and expensive.
Installing aftermarket power struts requires modifying your vehicle’s electrical wiring harness.
Our mechanic team recommends buying the EX-L trim if a power tailgate is a deal-breaker for you.
Is the fuel economy different between the EX and EX-L trims?
No, both trims share the identical 1.5L turbocharged engine and CVT transmission.
They share the exact same EPA fuel economy ratings for both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models.
What is the difference between the EX and EX-L audio systems?
The EX trim features a 6-speaker system, while the EX-L steps up to an 8-speaker configuration.
Both setups utilize the same 180-watt amplifier and 7-inch display screen.
“I’ve driven a CR-V for 4 years and didn’t know this existed.”
— The most common reaction when this article is shared
Did you know your backup camera has a hidden top-down ‘drone view’? Or that your cruise control automatically downshifts on steep mountain hills to save your brakes?
bryansgarage.com · Bryan Mark
Conclusion: The Ultimate Trim Verdict
Deciding between these two mid-tier trims comes down to your personal budget and love for premium comfort. Either choice guarantees a highly reliable, fuel-efficient, and practical SUV for your family’s daily driving needs. Ready to get the most out of your SUV? Check out more guides on Vroomdan or email us at **contact@vroomdan.com** — our team is here to help you discover more SUV secrets and maintenance guides.
Disclaimer: Always consult your official Honda Owner’s Manual before performing any DIY modifications. Information provided is for educational purposes and depends on specific vehicle model years, trim levels, and individual modifications.