Best Honda CR-V Battery – Buyer’s Guide

When your battery needs to be replaced, most Honda CR-Vs use a group 51R battery, but some 2014-2016 models have an option to use Group 35 batteries as well. This guide will help you choose the right Honda CR-V battery replacement for you.

Best Choice

ACDelco ACDB24R Advantage AGM Automotive Battery

The Best Honda CR-V Battery

This battery uses AGM technology, making it resistant to road vibration damage and provides better conductivity than traditional flooded batteries. It used calcium alloy to produce a corrosion-resistant grid and increases battery life.

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Honda CR-V Battery Comparison Table

This quick comparison chart gives you a summary of the specifications of the batteries chosen for this review.

Image	Product
Best Choice	ACDelco ACDB24R Advantage AGM Automotive Battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 325, Reserve Capacity (RC): 70, Amp-Hours (AH): 45 Battery Group: 51 Type: AGM Warranty: 24 Best Budget Battery Check Price	Check Price
Best Value	Optima Batteries 8071-167 D51 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 450, Reserve Capacity (RC): 66, Amp-Hours (AH): 38 Battery Group: 51 Type: AGM Warranty: 36 Best Dual-Purpose Battery Check Price	Check Price
Also Great	Optima Batteries 8073-167 D51R YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 450, Reserve Capacity (RC): 66, Amp-Hours (AH): 38 Battery Group: 51R Type: AGM Warranty: 36 Best for Vibration Resistance and Durability Check Price	Check Price
Good Choice	Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 720, Reserve Capacity (RC): 90, Amp-Hours (AH): 44 Battery Group: 35 Type: AGM Warranty: 36 Best for Cold Weather Check Price	Check Price
Good Choice	Optima Batteries 8040-218 D35 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 620, Reserve Capacity (RC): 98, Amp-Hours (AH): 48 Battery Group: 35 Type: AGM Warranty: 36 Best Reserve Capacity Check Price	Check Price

Product Reviews

Now that you have a good idea of the specifications of our top five picks for Honda CR-V batteries. Let us examine them more closely. Each of these batteries is a good battery replacement choice for Honda CR-V models, but some of them are better in one area or another. Finding the right one for you depends on your weather, the type of driving you do, and other factors that will affect battery life and efficiency. Let’s explore each of them a little further.

1. ACDelco ACDB24R Advantage AGM Group 51 Battery — Best Budget Battery

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ACDelco is a brand that many people turn to when they want a battery with a long life and at an affordable price. This battery uses absorbent glass mat technology, making it resistant to road vibration damage and provides better conductivity than traditional flooded batteries. They also used calcium alloy to produce a corrosion-resistant grid and increases battery life. The battery has an excellent storage life when stored above 30°F.

Why We Recommend this Battery

ACDelco batteries are a brand known for reliability and long life. They make an affordable option for a top-quality battery. This battery is maintenance-free. Glass mat batteries are superior to traditional flooded batteries. The case is tough and spill-proof. Overall, this is an excellent Honda CR-V battery replacement that you can expect to get you through the worst cold mornings and start reliably.

• Durable, vibration resistant construction

• Lightweight

• Efficient, AGM design

• Brand known for reliability

• Discharges when stored below recommended temperatures

• Must use an AGM approved battery charger

2. Optima 8071-167 D51 Yellowtop Dual-Purpose Battery — Best Dual-Purpose Battery

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Optima batteries are an excellent choice for their reliable and consistent performance. The case is heavy-duty vibration-resistant polypropylene. This material helps to preserve the life of the battery by protecting it from road vibration and shocks. It provides excellent starting power, even in the coldest weather.

Why We Recommend this Battery

This battery has both cranking power for starting, and it has deep-cycle power for running electronics. The secret to this battery’s power is the use of spiral-wound cells that contain two 99.99% lead plates that have a coating of lead oxide. This improves electrical conductivity and gives it superior power and the ability to withstand harsh conditions. Optima batteries are precision-manufactured, which makes them able to start in temperature extremes when it is critical. This battery is spill-proof and can withstand over 300 charge/discharge cycles.

• Excellent for cold weather

• Durable polypropylene case

• Long life and vibration resistant

• Lightweight

• Both starting and deep-cycle capability

• Good cars with lots of electronics

• Shipped fully charged, but might need a top-off

• No carry handle

3. Optima 8073-167 D51R Yellowtop Dual-Purpose Battery — Best for Vibration Resistance and Durability

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One thing that sets this Optima battery apart is the technology allows it to have a long storage life. This makes it excellent for recreational battery, or for those who place their Honda CR-V in long-term storage for extended periods. Optima spiral cell technology and high-purity lead plates create the optimal environment for both cold-cranking amps and deep-cycle applications. It will start your Honda CR-V in cold weather, and you can enjoy all of your favorite electronics without having to worry about your battery.

Why We Recommend this Battery

Optima uses technology that goes beyond AGM in its longevity and performance. It is spill-proof and can be installed in any position, except completely upside down. Optima uses superior manufacturing processes with attention to quality. This is the reason why this battery has such a long life and does not drain quickly in storage. Optima batteries have an excellent reputation for dependability, which is important for an SUV battery that must be reliable in cold weather.

• Excellent for storage

• Both starting and deep-cycle power

• Superior spiral cell technology

• Durable case, vibration resistant

• Long battery life

• No carrier handle

• Must use deep-cycle charger to avoid overheating issues

• Tends to die without warning at end of life

4. Optima 8020-164 35 Redtop Starting Battery — Best for Cold Weather

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Optima Redtop series are some of the toughest batteries on the market and are known for their ability to withstand shocks and vibration. This makes it perfect for those who like to take their Honda CR-V on a few off-road adventures. The Optima Redtop is designed to deliver powerful cranking amps.

This battery is used for trucks and cars that must have a powerful starting battery. For the average Honda CR-V driver, this means a reliable start every time. This battery is maintenance-free and has up to double the life of the average battery on the market.

Why We Recommend this Battery

This battery uses spiral cell technology, which allows it to have a fast recharge time. It also has an excellent storage time and impressive power delivery. The Optima is a favorite battery for trucks, race cars, and hot rods. This starting power makes it an excellent choice for an SUV that needs reliable power delivery under harsh conditions. This is the best battery on the list if you live in a cold climate and need a battery to start on cold mornings. It also has an extended, 90-minute reserve capacity, which means that you have time to get help if the alternator fails.

This battery is specialized for starting ability, but it might not be the best choice for a Honda CR-V that uses a heavy electronics load. The best use for this battery would be a vehicle where starting reliability is essential, but it is not the best for deep-cycle discharging and operating electronic devices. It is the best if your Honda CR-V is a basic model that needs to reliably get you where you are going, but that does not have as many high-end options.

• 720 cold cranking amps for cold weather starting

• Tough, vibration-resistant case

• Long, 90-minute reserve capacity

• Leak-proof design

• Long storage life

• No carrying handles

• Not designed for deep-cycle applications

5. Optima 8040-218 D35 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery — Best Reserve Capacity

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For Honda’s that use a group 35 battery, this one is an excellent choice. It can store up to 48-amp hours and has a 98-minute reserve capacity. It has SAE posts and long battery life. This battery is designed to withstand over 300 discharge and recharge cycles, but it typically lasts for many more. This battery has both starting and deep-cycle capabilities. It will start your Honda CR-V in the cold weather and handle the electronic load of its sensors, premium stereo, and electronics-laden amenities.

Why We Recommend this Battery

This battery is spill-proof and maintenance-free. It has a heavy polypropylene case and is durable enough to be vibration resistant for off-road use, and has a fast recharge cycle. It is a good balance between excellent cold-cranking amps and deep-cycle use. Optima batteries have a reputation as batteries that last.

• 98-minute reserve capacity

• Heavy-duty polypropylene case

• Shock and vibration resistant

• Good for deep-cycle and starting battery

• Good choice for cold weather

• Good for off-road use

• No handle for carrying and lifting

• Only suitable for certain Honda CR-V models

Buyer's Guide and FAQ

Honda CR-V Battery

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THE BEST IN 2023

Before purchasing your next battery, it is important to understand terms meaning and how they affect battery performance.

The Honda CR-V is one of the best-selling compact SUVs in the United States. It has the power and cargo space of an SUV with a comfortable sedan’s interior and ride.

The first Honda CR-V was released in the United States in 1997. In 2017, the Honda CR-V entered its fifth generation with a significant redesign, includes sophisticated electronics, premium stereo systems, heated seats, and dual-zone climate control. Honda’s Sensing suite of advanced driver assist technology depends on an array of sensors that are always on. Therefore, the battery for Honda CR-V models must handle the electronic load. Now, let us answer some of the questions you might have about choosing the right battery for Honda CR-V models.

FAQ

What battery size does a Honda CR-V take?

The most common Honda CR-V battery group is a 51R. Some 2014-2016 Honda CR-V models take Group 35 batteries. Many of the Honda CR-Vs that require a group 35 battery are made for the Canadian market, but you can find some of them in the United States. This battery difference is that group 35 batteries are better-suited for colder weather where cold-cranking power is necessary.

Group 35 batteries are slightly wider than 51R batteries, which means that they might not fit in a battery tray for a 51R. It is possible to purchase a universal battery tray that will accommodate different battery sizes. Even if you can get a different battery dimension to fit, it is not always a good idea because it can potentially damage the electronics and alternator.

The best source of information about the best battery for your Honda CR-V is your Owner’s Manual. If you decide to go with a similar battery, you should make sure that it has the minimum recommended cold-cranking amps. You should not exceed the recommended amps; otherwise, it could cause power surges that can damage your onboard computers and cause fuses to blow.

What is the best battery for a Honda CR-V?

You can find a wide range of group 51R or 35 batteries on the market by many different brands. This review favors ACDelco and Optima because they use advanced technology that provides better power, storage, reserve capacity, and cold-cranking amps. ACDelco uses AGM technology and is an advancement over flooded batteries. Optima batteries take this one step further with spiral cell design and lead oxide coated lead plates.

ACDelco batteries are cheaper than Optima, but the Optima brand is known for its storage ability and longer life. The one you choose depends on what is more important to you and how you use your vehicle. Other brands make excellent choices, but these two brands consistently get good reviews and are known for their performance.

How many cold-cranking amps do I need for my CRV?

Each engine option and generation of Honda CR-V affects the cold-cranking amps needed to start the engine. Many people are surprised to see some recommended batteries for Honda CR-Vs rated at around 325 cold-cranking amps. This will start some of the smaller engines offered.

A majority of the Honda CR-Vs use 51R batteries rated at 500 cold-cranking amps. It is usually suggested that you get a battery with more cold-cranking amps than the minimum requirements. This is especially true if you live in a colder climate. Having more cold-cranking amps can help your Honda CR-V start as it gets a few years of age under the hood.

How long do Honda CRV batteries last? How do I know when my battery is broken?

Most Honda CR-V batteries come with a 36-month warranty, but some offer a 48-month warranty. It is not uncommon for a battery to last for five years. Several things can reduce your battery life, and there are some things that you can do to preserve its life. Here are some tips to make your battery last longer.

• Do not let the battery drain completely
• Turn off electronics before starting the car
• Inspect the battery posts and clean when needed
• Test the battery to detect problems before symptoms occur
• Turn off the lights when the car is not running
• Do not leave your phone on charge in the car overnight
• Once a week go on a long drive

Unless you test your battery regularly, the most common battery failure sign is when it will not start. Sometimes, the engine will stall, or electronics will start to fail intermittently. Many times, your battery will give you no sign at all until it suddenly fails. It is a good idea to have your battery checked on a regular basis, especially if it is a few years old or your Honda CR-V is an older model.

How can I replace a battery in CR-V?

Replacing the battery in your Honda CR-V is a simple process. Before you begin, make sure that the car is on level ground and the emergency brake is on. Here are the steps:

• Remove the battery cable connectors by loosening the screws. Always remove the negative (black) connector first to prevent sparks.
• Remove the battery holder bracket. Some have two brackets that should be removed.
• Firmly grab the battery on both sides and pull it straight up.
• Place the new battery onto the battery holder.
• Replace the battery holder brackets.
• Reconnect the battery connectors, replacing the negative (black) terminal first.
• Tighten the connector screws until they are secure and can’t be pulled off easily.
• Start the car to make sure that everything works.

Final Word

The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular compact SUVs, and now, you have our favorite picks for a replacement battery. All of the batteries on the list have different characteristics that make them excellent choices for your Honda CR-V. If you live in a cold climate, then maximum cold-cranking amps should be your priority.

New Honda CR-Vs are loaded with the latest electronics. For this reason, deep-cycle capabilities are as important as starting amps. Our favorites are those that have both maximum cold-cranking amps and deep-cycle capabilities. When it comes to power and cold-cranking capability, Optima is a brand that offers both. We like the advanced technology of the Optima brand that represents the next evolutionary step in battery technology. If you are looking for a more affordable option, ACDelco is a good choice, too.

Eric Strong

Eric Strong works in the automotive repair industry more than 12 years. His work included repairing electrical systems in various vehicle systems. A hybrid electric car battery replacement experience expanded his understanding of automotive battery technology. Read More…