With its spacious interior, long list of standard features, and efficient hybrid powertrain, the new Honda CR-V will make every journey a breeze.
In this review…
The Honda CR-V has been a staple in Honda’s range long before SUVs became en vogue. Launched in 1995, it’s now entered its fifth generation and has shed its crossover skin entirely. Plus, it now has ten toes in the world of hybrid technology.
The new Honda CR-V inherits the crown for the UK’s most popular full-sized SUV, but now there is a litany of challengers. The Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, and not to mention its bitter rival the Toyota RAV4. Does the new facelift and hybrid motor put the Honda CR-V back in pole position? We look at its new design, interior, drive and PHEV performance to find out.
Design & Interior
From the outside, the new Honda CR-V looks to have not reinvented the wheel. With chrome-tinged bodywork with a more pronounced front bumper, it looks as well-built as it is. Moreover, the wheelbase has increased to make it look more brawny, and it impacts the ride position inside for the better.
As many SUVs race off into the future for their interior design, the Honda CR-V has kept it simple, traditional and comfortable. Front-row passengers now have more headroom and hip room, and rear passengers get two inches more legroom. The tech is all designed to make the driving experience easier, too, from the seven-inch full-colour instrument cluster to the touchscreen centre console that hooks up to your smartphone through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
PHEV Specs and Performance
Honda’s penchant for pioneering new ideas comes into play when looking at the PHEV technology of the new CR-V. Its 2.0-litre petrol engine is backed by two electric motors that are implemented with Honda’s new e:HEV self-charging technology, which draws enough power from regenerative braking to eliminate the need to charge it from the mains. It’s managed by an intelligent system that automatically switches between three driving modes – EV, Hybrid, and Engine. You can control it yourself, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to lift a finger to get the best drive possible.
Honda has cleverly undersold the fuel economy of the new CR-V, delivering a claimed 42.2mpg on front-wheel drive models and 39.2mpg on all-wheel-drive models. Too often, manufacturers make bold claims that are based on the very best conditions that you will never realistically drive under, and the result is disappointment and distrust. But with the CR-V, these MPG figures match what you’ll see on the roads, and you’ll never feel like you were sold just a promise.
Drive
This is a car that makes school runs, work commutes and shopping trips as relaxing as possible. Fresh innovations such as hydraulic bushings make the drive incredibly comfortable on uneven, pothole-ridden roads. You’re not going to be bounced around or rolled about in the corners, and instead, you’re able to sit back and enjoy the drive.
The new Honda CR-V is a supreme pick for those looking for a comfortable, fuel-efficient, and stylish SUV. With its spacious interior, long list of standard features, and efficient hybrid powertrain, this newly-upgraded model will make every journey a breeze.
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