Honda CR-V Review, Specs & Performance

Honda CR-V in a nutshell

The new Honda CR-V is probably one of the best SUVs in its segment – the carmaker has created a luxurious interior that you would find on more expensive SUVs. The designers have gone to great pains to discover what drivers want and used the best points from an already great vehicle to meet that demand.

This new model is up against the Toyota RAV4, an excellent SUV with a great pedigree. Both car makers offer solid SUVs that have a strong following. The fuel economy figures are similar, and the ride is excellent for both models. We think the Honda has the edge because of the interior.

The Hyundai Tucson is also a competitor with a great offering and has won many awards as a result - the Tucson is also spacious and likely to be cheaper. Then there’s the Mazda CX-5, which we like here at FVL Towers, but while it is a good car, the new CR-V makes it feel a little dated. Lastly when looking for a mid-sized SUV, you can never rule out the Nissan Qashqai, it's one of our customer favourites, and with good reason. It'll be cheaper than the CR-V but doesn't have the hi-tech hybrid kit of this new model, or the fit and finish.

Honda CR-V - Engines & Economy

Engines

The new CR-V will come with two Hybrid variants. The E:PHEV (the plug-in one) and the E:HEV (no plugging-in required). Both models have a 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine which has been fine-tuned for increased efficiency, refinement and dynamic range performance.

We’ll start with the Plug-in hybrid, and it’s nothing short of impressive. It harnesses the same high-performance onboard electric motors as its e:HEV counterpart, offering remarkable acceleration, swift charging times and a competitive all-electric range.
That might not sound like everyone’s cup of tea, but with 51 miles of range, this plug-in SUV handles most daily commutes solely on electric power, and with petrol as back-up this could be a Holy Grail for some drivers.

As for the non-plug-in hybrid e:HEV, this showcases Honda’s most advanced version of their award-winning self-charging powertrain that’s also used in the acclaimed Civic hatchback.

Economy

This system integrates the petrol engine with two lightweight electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. The result is a potential range of 590 miles on a full tank of fuel and emissions of 128g/km. Although that range is a potential, we’ve driven the Civic Hybrid a lot, and it’s awe-inspiring on the fuel front.

The CVT gearbox is a smooth operator - though not everyone likes it - and Honda has added the sound of a conventional transmission. That sounds a tad weird or gimmicky, but it worked for us!
The power from a standing start is excellent, thanks to the electric motors.

EV Drive allows the CR-V to run on electric power only, for zero-emission driving. The battery needs enough charge, but this feature means low-cost motoring for commuters.

Hybrid Drive uses both the engine and the electric motors, with the engine acting as a generator to charge the battery. Engine Drive uses only the petrol engine, for high-speed cruising or when extra power is needed.

Behind the wheel, the result is a seamless transition between EV, Hybrid and Engine Drive modes, making it perfectly adaptable to any driving situation.

The CR-V e:HEV model boasts fuel efficiency of 42.8mpg, while the e:PHEV variant impresses with incredibly low CO2 emissions of just 18g/km.

Equipped with an electric motor output of 184ps, the new CR-V offers immediate acceleration, smooth handling and the serene quietness characteristic of electric vehicles.

Honda CR-V - Driving, Space & Equipment

Driving

Both models exemplify Honda’s commitment to dynamic and enjoyable driving experiences. We also like the clever all-wheel drive system that can distribute torque between the car’s rear and front wheels, depending on the road surface and the driver’s needs.

This improves traction and stability on slippery or uneven terrain, making the CR-V suitable for off-road adventures - though most drivers won’t be too keen on leaving the tarmac!

The CR-V has a range of driving modes that can adjust the throttle response, steering feel and suspension settings, depending on the driver’s preference.

Space

The Honda CR-V has a spacious and comfortable interior, with plenty of room for five passengers and their luggage. The boot capacity is 497 litres, which can be expanded to 1,694 litres by folding down the rear seats. The rear seats can also slide forward or backwards to create more legroom or cargo space.
We feel it’s clearly noticeable that Honda has spent considerable time designing a quality cabin with soft-touch materials and a minimalist design.

Equipment

The dashboard features a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless charging. The CR-V has a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, which displays vital information such as speed, fuel level and hybrid status.

All of the onboard tech is functional, well laid out and easy to use.
As you’d expect, nowadays, there are a host of safety and driver assistance features, such as blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, collision mitigation braking system, traffic sign recognition and a multi-angle rearview camera. So plenty to keep you safe and alert.

The CR-V has a head-up display; it’s a futuristic feature which projects important information such as speed limit and navigation directions onto the windscreen.

Summary

The bottom line is that the Honda CR-V is a stylish SUV that impresses:

• The build quality is excellent.
• There is plenty of space onboard.
• These economy figures offer a sound alternative in a very competitive segment.

Honda’s hybrid tech is very versatile and truly efficient that delivers on the value for money front if you can wait to switch to a full EV. We feel it will be ideal for families who need a reliable and spacious car that can handle different driving scenarios.

We recommend that the Honda CR-V be shortlisted and used as a standard for rivals to beat.