The sixth generation Honda CR-V makes plenty of sense for family customers in search of a quality mid-sized Hybrid SUV. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

In a sign of the times, it's now possible to plug your Honda CR-V in. That's because the sixth generation version of this model gains a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain to sell alongside the full-Hybrid e:HEV engine most will prefer. Either way, this car has been completely re-designed for a new era, but it's essential character hasn't changed too much.

Background

Honda's CR-V has long been one of the world's strongest selling SUVs. Sometimes, in a market full of more extrovert rivals, we've wondered why. After all, this has never really been a contender that's jumped out at you from the spec sheet. No. You have to drive it. Use it. Fill it with family. Many of those experienced in doing just that probably won't even look at the alternatives before replacing their third, fourth or fifth generation CR-Vs with this MK6 model. Like its predecessors, this crossover, according to its maker, offers a depth of engineering that many other rivals just don't have. It always has, ever since the original version of this 'Compact Recreational Vehicle' pretty much invented its segment back in 1995, with subsequent models in 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2016 being pushed ever-more up-market. This MK6 CR-V took a bit of time to get to British shores, the car launched in the US in 2022. Unsurprisingly, the core e:HEV model is a full-Hybrid, but new for this sixth generation design is the option of Plug-in Hybrid power, allowing this Honda to better match its arch rival, Toyota's RAV4. Compared to the previous model, this redesigned CR-V is bigger, smarter and better connected too. Sounds promising.

Driving Experience

It's quite EV-like away from rest - in fact it'll be totally EV-like if you've chosen the top e:PHEV version (Honda's first Plug-in Hybrid) and the 17.7kWh battery's been charged for a claimed 50 miles of range. Which, unless you advise the drive system otherwise, will always be prioritised before the long stroke Atkinson cycle 2.0-litre engine cuts in. Obviously, it'll cut in a lot sooner if your choice of CR-V is the more affordable non-plug-in self charging Hybrid e:HEV model because that variant's drive battery is just 1.06kWh in size. As with the PHEV, there's a 2-motor hybrid system with a 2-speed auto transmission and an output of 181bhp. This time round, the e:HEV Hybrid only comes with 4WD - in contrast to the e:PHEV model, where the system only drives the front wheels. There are four main drive modes - 'Snow', 'Econ', 'Normal' and 'Sport', the latter adding what Honda hopes is a sporty buzz to proceedings. The PHEV version adds two further settings, 'EV' and 'Tow', the latter reflecting the fact that you'd need the Plug-in Hybrid version with its 1,500kg braked towing weight (double that of the e:HEV) if you were to need to pull anything along with this car. There's a pleasingly 'big car' feel to progress with both models, aided by the frequently-selective dampers - and perhaps by this model line's ever-increasing weight, nearly 2.0-tonnes in the PHEV model. Honda uses words like 'exhilarating' and 'sports car' when it comes to the handling of this SUV and we're not quite sure why because, as ever with this model line, the handling of this CR-V has been engineered to reduce the heartbeat rather than raise it. It doesn't feel in the least bit sporty, nor should it. But there are dynamic positives too - and for a typical CR-V owner, they'll probably be more significant. As long as you control yourself with the throttle pedal, refinement is excellent and the various power sources blend in and out very unobtrusively. The mixture between friction and regenerative braking is expertly judged. Body roll's decently controlled through the bends. And the lower window line and thin pillars make the car easy to manoeuvre in urban conditions.

Design and Build

This sixth generation CR-V has what Honda calls 'a stronger more aggressive presence', it's looks apparently inspired by US market products like the Ridgeline pick-up truck and the Passport SUV. It certainly bigger in every dimension than its predecessor, 80mm longer and 10mm wider. Most of the usual visual differences are at the front, where there's a more complex honeycomb grille flanked by narrower LED headlights. More familiar is the profile with its CR-V signature tick in the lower window line around the C-pillar, plus there are the usual high-mounted taillights. Inside up-front, the dashboard architecture is mostly borrowed from the current Civic hatch, which is great if you like clean, ergonomic design: but not so good if for the money being asked here, you were (understandably) hoping for something a bit more premium. Still, it's more than a match for the cabin of a rival RAV4 and there's standard leather upholstery and a clear 9-inch central infotainment screen. Through the 3-spoke wheel, you view a 10.2inch digital dial display and there's a wide centre console with the usual USB ports. Arguably though, the more significant changes lie further back. This time round, Honda has stretched the wheelbase by 40mm, which has delivered 15mm more legroom at the back. The previous generation model was launched with a seven-seat third row option, but we won't see that this time. As for luggage space, the e:HEV Hybrid version offers a large 587-litre boot (90-litres more than before). Unusually, the Plug-in Hybrid variant offers even more trunk space (617-litres) because its battery is located under the rear seat, rather than under the floor.

Market and Model

Extra technology has to be accompanied by plumper pricing, which is why you can expect to have to assign a £46,000 budget for this CR-V in e:HEV self-charging Hybrid form - that's with base 'Elegance' trim: the plusher 'Advance' variant you're more likely to want costs closer to £49,000. You'll need more like £54,000 for the Plug-in Hybrid version (which only comes in top 'Advance'-spec). 'Advance' trim gets you standard kit like leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and, on the PHEV variant, self-parking tech. All CR-Vs get a very high standard of safety kit, with the 'Honda Sensing' package offering one of the most comprehensive suite of active safety and driver assistive technologies in the class, combining radar and camera tech. Included are 'Forward Collision Warning', a 'Collision Mitigating Braking' system, a 'Lane Keep Assist' system, 'Lane Departure Warning', 'Road Departure Mitigation' and 'Traffic Sign Recognition'. The basic design is pretty safe too, thanks to Honda's 'ACE' 'Advanced Compatibility Engineering' body structure design technology, which employs a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly.

Cost of Ownership

Not all recent Honda e:HEV hybrids have impressed us with their efficiency. The brand's slightly smaller HR-V wasn't as frugal as we expected. But the latest Civic e:HEV was much better and we expect the regular efficiency figures of the CR-V e:HEV to be not far off that. Expect 42.8mpg on the combined cycle and a CO2 return of 150g/km. The Plug-in Hybrid version (which manages 353.1mpg and 18g/km) is rated at an EV range of 51 miles from its 17.7kWh battery when fully charged (which takes 2.5 hours at an 11kW charger). That range figure potentially drops the car into the 8% Benefit-in-Kind tax band, which would make the CR-V PHEV one of Honda's most appealing models for company user-choosers. The PHEV version charges in 2.5 hours at a 6.8kW charger. What else? Well the three year, 90,000-mile warranty is better than the package you get from many competitors. In addition, surface corrosion is covered for three years, exhaust corrosion is covered for five years, chassis corrosion is covered for ten years and structural corrosion for twelve years. The brand makes it possible to budget ahead for scheduled maintenance with a fixed-price scheme called 'Five' that covers servicing for a total of five years. It also adds an extra two years of maintenance, an extended warranty for this period and roadside assistance breakdown cover should the unexpected happen. This can also be transferred to a new owner if you sell the car before the service plan has expired.

Summary

It's easy to imagine yourself as target market for a car like this sixth generation CR-V. You've a couple of kids, an active lifestyle and an aversion to rather dull large estate cars. The thing is though, you've also an aversion to the kind of mid-sized SUV soft roaders that such a mindset would normally direct you towards. Understandably perhaps, you think they're all rather pretentious and silly. But this car isn't. In fact, whether you choose the e:HEV Hybrid version or the PHEV, it's as sensible as family segment lifestyle-orientated SUV motoring gets. A car for people who look at what a vehicle can do for them rather than what it says about them. End use you see, has been the over-riding design parameter here, not cutting-edge styling, clever gadgetry, irrelevant pin-sharp handling or pointlessly powerful engines. As a result, it's an extremely easy thing to live with, the kind of car you'll own, then wonder how you managed without. That may not be a recipe for media headlines but it's an approach that other brands could certainly learn from, explaining why so many CR-Vs are bought by folk who previously owned one. These are people who'll probably stick with Honda into this sixth generation version. It builds upon everything this long-running model line stands for - progressive design, an ergonomically excellent cabin, practicality, comfort and class-leading levels of safety. The interior still doesn't quite have the premium feel you'd get from a posh brand. Despite the fact that Honda wants to price this model at premium levels. But ultimately, this car remains distinctively different, distinctively... CR-V. Which ultimately, might very well be all you need.

Body Glass

Rain sensor

Rear wiper

Privacy glass

Front and rear electric windows

Auto wipers

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Hill descent control

Brake assist function

Hill start assist

Electronic parking brake with auto hold

Collision mitigation braking system

Low speed brake system

Paddle deceleration control

Front and rear collision mitigation throttle control

Chassis/Suspension

Vehicle stability assist

Amplitude reactive damper

Communication

Bluetooth hands free telephone connection

Wireless charging

E-call

eCall emergency call system

Wireless apple carplay

Driver Aids

Electric power steering

Lane departure warning system

Lane keep assist system

Emergency stop signalling system

Forward collision warning

Traffic sign recognition

Adjustable speed limiter

Active lane change assist

Crossing traffic warning front

Road departure mitigation

Driver attention monitoring system

4 x front and 4 x rear parking sensors

Low speed following

Agile handling assist

Intelligent speed limiter

Lead car departure notification system

Lane change collision mitigation

Lane watch

Drive mode (Econ, Normal, Snow, Sport)

HEV mode

Honda 360 sensing

Adaptive cruise control with Cornering speed assist

Driver Convenience

Power meter

Handfree power tailgate with kick sensor and walk away close

Driver Information

Head up Display

Traffic jam assist

BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Monitor

10.2" Multi information display

Honda CONNECT with Navigation 9" touchscreen, AM/FM/DAB, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, live traffic info

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors

Electrically folding door mirrors

Exterior mirror tilt for reverse

Multi view camera system in door mirrors

Entertainment

Front tweeters

Steering wheel mounted controls

12 speakers

Subwoofer

Dashboard centre speaker

Bose premium sound system

DAB+ radio

Centre speakers

1X USB (A/2.5A) and 1x Charger (C/3A) on Front

Rear USB 2x Charger (C/3A)

Exterior Body Features

Roof rails

Body colour door handles

Body colour bumpers

Panoramic opening glass sunroof

Exhaust pipe finisher

Body coloured shark fin antenna

Rear side wing doors

Low gloss black window garnish

Chrome + black paint grille

Body colour plus material colour roof spoiler

Exterior Lights

Welcome home function

LED daytime running lights

LED Headlights

LED rear lights

LED front fog lights

Auto headlights

LED 3rd brake light

Adaptive driving beam

Front LED Indicator lights

Auto Headlight Adjuster

Active cornering lights

Headlight auto on/off timer

Front turn type led with sequential

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone automatic climate control

Air conditioning - Rear vent

Interior Features

Front centre armrest

Leather upholstery

Rear centre armrest

Tonneau cover

Heated steering wheel

Tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel

Instrument panel with garnish wood film

Driver and front passenger seat armrests

Light roof lining

Sunglasses holder with mirror

Hybrid emblem

Luggage floor box

Meter illumination

Cargo net hooks

Platinum chrome interior door handles

Accessory sockets in Front & Trunk

Film hairline interior panels

Synthetic headrest

Normal pedals

Genuine leather steering wheel

Interior Lights

Rear reading lights

Courtesy lights

Front map lights

Trunk light

Ambient light in roof

Front and rear ambient light (door handle&door line) and front cup holder

Footwell ambient interior light front and rear

Packs

Exclusive styling pack - CR-V

Safety

Driver airbag

Front passenger airbag

Rear side airbags

Front side airbags

Front and rear curtain airbags

5 x 3 point seatbelts

Anti-whiplash front headrests

Deflation detection system

Driver SRS airbag (single stage inflation)

Passenger SRS airbag with cut off switch

Front and rear seat belts with emergency locking retractor (ELR)

Front centre airbag

Manual child lock in rear doors

Knee airbags (DR) and (AS)

Seats

Heated front seats

Heated rear seats

Rear headrests

Reclining rear seats

Driver/passenger front seatback pockets

60/40 split folding rear seat

8 way electrically adjustable drivers seat + mirror memory

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Single front passenger seat

I-Size ISO Fix Points

4 way driver lumbar support

Front ventilated seats

4 way electrically adjustable passenger seat without height adjust

Security

Immobiliser

Security alarm

Honda super locks

Smart entry + Smart start

Selectable door unlock

Ultrasonic security sensor

Mirrors and windows key fob operation

Tilt sensors

Remote central locking with 2 key fobs

Towing

Trailer stability assist

Vanity Mirrors

Driver/passenger sunvisors and vanity mirrors

Driver/passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels - Spare

Flat tyre solution temper tyre/repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Battery Capacity in kWh: 1.04

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 137

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 151

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 183

Noise Level dB(A): 64

CO: 0.14

HC: 0.011

NOx: 0.009

HC+NOx: N

Particles: 0.0002

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 129

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 133

Engine and Drive Train

Fuel Delivery: DIRECT INJECTION

Gears: 1 SPEED

Transmission: AUTO

Compression Ratio: 13.9:1

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Catalytic Convertor: No

Camshaft: DOHC

Number of Valves: 16

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Cylinders: 4

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 96.7

CC: 1993

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 81

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - High: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 47.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 42.8

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6.6

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 34.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 6

WLTP - MPG - Low: 49.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 5.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 5.9

General

Service Interval Mileage: 12500

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 34E

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 86

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 85

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 76

NCAP Safety Assist %: 67

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 4

Badge Power: 184

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 6

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Coin Description: eHEV

Coin Series: Advance

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 90000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Performance

Engine Torque - RPM: 4500

Engine Torque - NM: 335

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 247

Top Speed: 116

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 62 mph (secs): 9.5

Engine Power - BHP: 184

Engine Power - RPM: 6100

Engine Power - KW: 135

Engine Torque - MKG: 34.2

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Rear: 235/60 R18

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Tyre Size Front: 235/60 R18

Wheel Style: N

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4706

Height (including roof rails): N

Height: 1684

Width (including mirrors): 2153

Wheelbase: 2700

Width: 1942

Weight and Capacities

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.4

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1634

Max. Roof Load: 83

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 579

Max. Loading Weight: 532

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 600

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 750

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 57

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2350

Minimum Kerbweight: 1818

Exterior Body Features

Premium paint

Premium plus paint

Packs

Aero pack - CR-V EHEV

Illumination pack with doorstep garnishes - CR-V

Premium pack with boot sill decoration - CR-V

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Crystal black

Paint - Special

Premium plus paint - Crystal red

Premium paint - Platinum white

Premium plus paint - Diamond dust pearl

Premium paint - Canyon blue

Towing

Detachable towbar with 13 pin trailer harness, maximum towing capacity 750kg and vertical load capacity 75kg

Trim - Leather

Leather - Black

Wheels - Alloy

18" Diamond cut A-surface alloy wheels with gunpowder black windows and shiny clear coat

18" full paint jet black finish alloy wheels