Honda CR-V review

Interior

Dashboard & tech

The inside of the Honda CR-V is all about function and ease of use. The dashboard is logically laid out, and all the controls are simple and within easy reach of the driver. It might not have the flair or premium feel of some rivals, but it’s a very user-friendly environment that’s easy to get along with.

Entry-level models come with essentials like Bluetooth and a DAB radio. From the SE Plus trim upwards (and on S-Navi models), you get the Honda Connect infotainment system, which includes a 7-inch touchscreen and, on many versions, a Garmin satellite navigation system. The material quality is durable and built to last, though you'll find a lot of hard plastics rather than soft-touch surfaces.

Comfort

The CR-V is a very comfortable car, especially on long journeys. The suspension is set up to be quite soft, so it does a great job of soaking up bumps and potholes, making for a smooth and relaxing ride. It’s an excellent motorway cruiser, where it feels quiet and composed.

The seats are supportive, and there’s plenty of adjustment for the driver to find a good, high-up driving position that gives a great view of the road. It’s a car that makes travelling long distances with the family feel effortless.

Quality

Honda has a fantastic reputation for build quality and reliability, and the CR-V feels like a car that’s built to last. While the interior might not feel as plush or upmarket as some premium rivals, everything feels solid and well put together. The plastics are hard-wearing and the switches operate with a reassuring click. It’s a cabin designed to withstand all the punishment a busy family can throw at it, year after year.

Practicality & boot space

Interior space

This is where the Honda CR-V really stands out from the crowd. It’s an incredibly spacious car inside. There’s plenty of head and legroom for passengers in the front and back, and thanks to a flat floor in the rear, even the middle-seat passenger has somewhere to put their feet.

The rear doors open wide, making it easy to get in and out, and it’s a doddle to fit bulky child seats. It’s one of the most accommodating and family-friendly cars in its class, making it a brilliant choice for those with growing children.

Boot space

The CR-V’s boot is simply huge. With 589 litres of space, it’s significantly larger than what you’ll find in many key rivals like the Nissan Qashqai. It’s more than big enough for a family’s holiday luggage, a large pushchair, or all the gear for a weekend camping trip.

A really clever feature is the one-touch folding rear seats. A simple pull of a lever in the boot is all it takes to fold the rear seats down completely flat, opening up a gargantuan 1,648-litre load bay that few compact SUVs can match.

Versatility

With its cavernous boot, clever folding seats, and roomy cabin, the CR-V is an incredibly versatile family car. It can switch from being a comfortable five-seat people carrier to a van-like load-lugger in seconds. Available with either two-wheel drive for better economy or four-wheel drive for extra grip in slippery conditions, it’s a car that’s ready for anything.

Driving

Driving experience

The CR-V is a car that prioritises comfort and ease of use over a sporty driving experience. The steering is light and the car is easy to manoeuvre, but it doesn't feel as sharp or engaging as rivals like the Mazda CX-5 or SEAT Ateca. You might notice some body roll if you go around corners quickly, as a result of the soft, comfort-focused suspension.

Where it really excels is in normal, everyday driving and on long motorway trips. Here, its comfortable ride and relaxed nature make it a very pleasant and stress-free companion. It’s a car that’s designed to get you and your family from A to B in comfort and safety, and it does that job brilliantly.

Performance

The fourth-generation CR-V was available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. The 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol engine produces 152bhp, but it needs to be worked quite hard. The diesel engines are a much better fit for a car of this size.

A 2.2-litre diesel was available in early models, but the 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel, introduced in 2015, is the star of the show. It was available in two power outputs: a 118bhp version for two-wheel-drive models, and a more powerful 157bhp twin-turbo version for four-wheel-drive models. This engine offers a great blend of strong performance and excellent fuel economy.

Running costs

Fuel economy & CO2 emissions

Running costs for the CR-V depend heavily on which engine you choose. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is quite thirsty, with an official fuel economy figure in the high 30s. The diesel engines are much more economical. The 1.6-litre i-DTEC is particularly impressive, with the lower-powered version capable of over 60mpg in official tests.

CO2 emissions are also much lower on the diesel models, which helps to keep annual road tax bills down. If you cover a lot of miles, the diesel is definitely the most cost-effective option.

Value for money

The CR-V is competitively priced against its rivals and represents good value, especially on the used market. Its reputation for reliability means it holds its value well, which is great news when you come to sell it on, but you can still get a huge amount of practical, dependable family transport for your money. Even entry-level models come with a decent amount of standard kit, including cruise control and Bluetooth.

Reliability & Warranty

This is arguably the CR-V’s biggest selling point. Honda has a world-class reputation for building incredibly reliable cars, and the CR-V is no exception. It’s a car that you can depend on to provide years of hassle-free motoring. When new, it came with a three-year, 90,000-mile warranty, which is more generous than the 60,000-mile limit offered by many manufacturers.

Safety

Safety features

The Honda CR-V is a very safe car, achieving the maximum five-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2013. It scored particularly well for adult occupant protection.

All models come with plenty of safety kit, including multiple airbags, electronic stability control, and a city-brake active system. Many models also came with an optional Advanced Driver Assistance System pack, which added cutting-edge features like collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It’s well worth looking for a used model with this pack fitted.

Trims & Engines

Trim levels

The CR-V was available in a good range of trim levels. The range starts with S, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control, and Bluetooth. S Navi adds a sat nav system. The popular SE Plus trim adds automatic lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, and the 7-inch touchscreen.

SR models add a touch of luxury with part-leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels and powerful HID headlights. The top-of-the-range EX trim is packed with features, including full leather upholstery, a panoramic glass roof, a powered tailgate, and smart keyless entry and start.

Engines

The engine lineup for this generation of CR-V is straightforward. The petrol option is a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine with 152bhp, available with a manual or automatic gearbox and with two or four-wheel drive.

The diesel range is centred around the excellent 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine. It came in two forms: a 118bhp version paired with two-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, or a more powerful 157bhp twin-turbo version for four-wheel-drive models, which was available with a manual or a smooth nine-speed automatic gearbox. Earlier cars were also available with an older 2.2-litre diesel engine.

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