Honda CR-V Hybrid: To the letter

What is it?

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?

What’s it cost?

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.

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.

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 from 7.0 to 9.0 inches, resulting in a sharper display.

Physical switches provide access to the climate control, with vents hidden behind honeycomb dash trim.

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.

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.

What’s it go like?

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 to 1636 litres depending on the position of the seat backs – folded or upright.

Loading is made easy by a hands-free power tailgate.

The Honda CR-V e: HEV makes use of a 2.0-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 5.5L/100km on the combined urban/highway cycle.

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.

What we like?

• Spacious cabin
• Outside noise kept at bay by effective insulation
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Fine-tuned suspension

What we don’t like?

• Pricey
• Front-wheel drive

The bottom line?

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?

 

CHECKOUT: Honda Civic e:HEV LX: Persistence pays off

CHECKOUT: 1972 Honda Z — big on style, small on performance