The folk at Honda, it seems, have long memories. Back in 1995 the Japanese company
developed one of the first compact sports utility vehicles on the market – the
Comfortable Runabout Vehicle, or CR-V, as we know it.
Landing Down Under in 1997, in the 30 years since, the CR-V has sold almost a quarter
of a million units here and won numerous awards, including Australian Car of the Year in
2023. Why wouldn’t anyone wish to continue to bask in the glow of such storied
ancestry? Welcome to the 30th anniversary Honda CR-V.
Down the years, the car underwent major changes in packaging and safety, as well as
morphing into a sportier silhouette. Complementing this were functional innovations
paired with leading-edge driving dynamics, courtesy of permanent all-wheel drive,
making sure CR-V handling stayed composed in all conditions.
Has the latest iteration got the chops of its predecessors? Offering five or seven seats,
the latest squad is made up of seven members in two- or all-wheel drive and introduces
to customers a flagship hybrid model, the e: HEV RS.
Only offered in front-wheel drive the test RS five-seater was done up to the nines, which
tipped the price above 60 grand on the road, $15,000 above the entry level model.
The CR-V comes with Honda’s eight-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, eight-year
roadside assist, plus eight years battery warranty, as well as Honda’s One-Price
Promise.
STYLING
Just a dusting of creativity here. As befits a hi-tech sporty character, the e: HEV RS
boasts a unique design all round, highlighted by distinctive body coloured front and rear
bumpers, black front grille with RS emblem.
INTERIOR
Following on from the outside additions, the furniture is dressed up in black leather seat
trim with red stitching. Spacious comfortable rear seats can be reconfigured. A
panoramic sunroof adds a fresh feeling of the outdoors for occupants.
The spacious cabin features a flat rear floor and large boot with cargo space ranging
from 581 to1636 litres depending on the position of the seat backs – folded or upright.
Loading is made easy by a hands-free power tailgate.
INFOTAINMENT
In 2017, the fifth generation had already taken a hi-tech leap with Honda Sensing
debuting with active safety and driver assist features. Among innovations now on offer
is hook-up to Honda Connect giving drivers the ability to remotely lock and unlock their
car, set cabin temperatures, view vehicle status and locate it, all from a mobile phone.
A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster nestles on the dash in front of the driver, displays
for battery and fuel levels. There are various display options including faux analogue
dials.
The infotainment screen has been increased in size to nine inches, from seven,
resulting in a sharper display. Physical switches provide access to the climate control,
with vents hidden behind honeycomb dash trim.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The Honda CR-V e: HEV makes use of a 2-litre Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder engine
producing 109kW and 182Nm, plus twin electric motors adding up to combined power of
135kW and torque: of 335Nm.
This combination is mated with an E-CVT automatic transmission driving the front
wheels. Honda claims fuel consumption of 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined
urban/highway cycle.
SAFETY
In line with other CRVs, the hybrid RS runs the latest version of Honda Sensing, which
includes active safety and driver assist features such as collision mitigation braking,
adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist and road departure
mitigation.
Together with this and 11 airbags the car has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on
2024 testing.
DRIVING
With no pretensions to be a true sports car, the electric torque, fine-tuned suspension
and responsive steering serve up a sassy family SUV. Indeed, the CR-V on test soaked
up the majority of gashes in neglected Australian road surfaces.
Balance was far from disturbed on fast(ish) bends (important to the family’s liking), while
outside noise was kept at bay by effective insulation.
The twin electric motors made for a win/win situation, the pair slipping in and out of
action seamlessly at low speeds, or when the car was cruising above 80km/h. The
petrol engine added a sporty yet harmonic note to proceedings.
Honda DNA came to the fore in the form of a driving position to provide greater visibility
in city going and on winding country roads, and optimal hip point to aid getting in and
out of the car.
SUMMARY
After 30-plus years the Honda CR-V, now in its sixth generation, is still generally driving
to the letter – a Comfortable, Runabout Vehicle – so here’s the customer dilemma.
Honda says this year the company will carry on evolving its hybrid powertrain across the
CR-V range. Will the wait to buy be worth it?
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 7
Safety – 8
Thirst – 6
Practicality – 6
Comfort – 6
Tech – 8
Value – 7
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Honda CR-V VTi X FWD $44,500
Honda CR-V VTi L FWD $48,800
Honda CR-V VTi X7 AWD $46,800
Honda CR-V VTi L7 AWD $53,000
Honda CR-V VTi L AWD $51,300
Honda CR-V VTi LX AWD $57,000
Honda CR-V e:HEV RS FWD $59,900
SPECIFICATIONS (Honda CR-V e: HEV RS 2-litre 4-cyl Hybrid, 6sp auto, FWD, SUV)
ENGINE
Configuration: four cylinders inline
Capacity: 1993cc
Engine power: 109kW
Engine torque: 182Nm
Combined power 135kW
Combined torque: 335Nm
Fuel type: Unleaded petrol 91 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 5.5L/100km
CO2 emissions 125g/km
DRIVELINE: E-CVT, FWD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4704mm
Width: 1866mm
Height: 1681mm
Wheelbase: 2701mm:
Turning circle: 12.0m
Kerb weight: 1771kg
Fuel tank: 57L
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Eight years unlimited kilometres
Eight years roadside assist, capped servicing (vehicle)
Eight years battery
