The core issue in my view with the 2.4L engine is that it is mated to a CVT, yet it's torque band (which is what drives a CVT) is much higher rpm then the 1.5T.
Setting aside the concerns about OD on the 1.5T, I personally would not buy the LX version because the 2.4L/CVT pairing is going to result in a vehicle you will constantly be over-throttling some in order to get the engine rpm where the CVT needs it. Now.. Honda may have tuned the engine and CVT well to avoid some of this, but in my view.. the number one feature you want in an engine when mated to a CVT is that the engine be torque rich at lower RPMs. This is the fundamental reason I passed on an HRV as my new vehicle (the powertrain is underpowered and noisy). There are other reasons to avoid the LX CRV as well... as it lacks many features that make the CRV standout against it's competition in the market. I think Consumer Reports got it right on their comparison testing between the 5th Gen CRV and the 2019 Rav4 ---> The low end Rav4 is superior to the low end CRV largely due to saftey systems being standard, whereas on the CRV they are a higher trim only feature (this will change in the next refresh, as it did with the Accord, but that is another topic entirely). All other trim levels though.. the CRV is far superior to the new Rav4.
As to the concerns about the 1.5T... there are concerns, there are some people reporting issues, and Honda has one or more TSBs open to address changes to the engine tuning (it's regional, limited to certain cold weather states UNLESS a problem is detected on a vehicle in a warm weather state...ie: the engine throwing error codes). Is it a big issue to be concerned about? Depends on who you talk to. Keep in mind... there are well over a million CRVs on the road with this engine, an engine that is a variant to the same powertrain in the Civic and Accord, and there are only a few hundred reports from owners on the NHTSA web site. Personally, I use the Civic enthusiast forums as my canary for issues with this engine (since the CRV engine is a very close configuration to the version in the Civic Si). There are some scattered reports of OD issues on Civics, but not enough to raise concern in my view.
There is a TSB for addressing the engine warming and OD concerns and Honda has stated that all new 2019s will have it applied before shipment from the factory. There is some skepticism by forum members here if the TSB actually addressed the OD problem or not.. it does appear to improve cabin heating though.
Here is the crux of the point for you regarding this engine ---> do you live in a cold weather climate state? If so.. then you need to carefully consider before buying because the bigger actual issue appears to be poor cabin heating and the engine never getting warm in very cold climate conditions (this was true also in China, where Honda recalled and retuned close to 400K, and I have not seen a repeat revolt from China consumers reported since the fix). The China Market demonstrates that Honda does have a grasp of the issue and has addressed it. Keep in mind the engine in China is sleightly different then the one in North America.... but it's the same core design.
While I think there are valid points and discussion to be made both ways on the issue of OD (which all DI engines are prone to exhibit to some degree).. on the matter of cabin heating in cold weather... that issue remains valid even with the TSB since I don't think owners have a full winter under their belt yet to prove the TSB fixed the issue. Personally, I am in the camp of let Honda sort it out and roll-out fixes if needed to owners with respect to the OD concerns. Honda has too much history of good engine design and reliability to get wrapped around the axle on one issue that may or may not be a reliability issue at all (there are opinions on this point, but no facts). It is worth noting that in addition to cold weather cold engine being a source of increased OD for this engine, there is also some evidence in forum discussion here that fuel blends (which vary regionally) may also be a factor (and if true, Honda can and should address this).
At the end of the day.... you will have to decide for yourself, and your personal location and circumstances, if the CRV is right for you... because you will not get an accurate consensus from any internet forum on this particular issue.
