The first Honda CR-V was launched more than 20 years ago, helping to define a new category for a generation of family buyers and later becoming Australia’s most popular mid-size SUV. Newly introduced for its fifth iteration, the CR-V faces stiff competition from a host of competitors in a segment which has grown by close to 20 per cent so far this year. Can the newest CR-V reclaim its spot as an SUV innovator?
The Honda CR-V has been a stalwart of the SUV set since its global introduction in 1995. Sold in more than 130 countries, over nine million units have been sold globally, including 170,000 in Australia.
The fifth generation is an all-new package which Honda says has been designed to offer increased appeal to Australian families. Focusing on fuel efficiency, manoeuvrability and function, the CR-V needs to be a good thing to compete against the myriad medium SUV choice now available to family buyers.
Reflecting the breadth of offerings in the medium SUV segment, the CR-V’s five model line-up includes a seven-seat option for the first time and a choice of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models.
There’s no choice when it comes to powertrain, however, as the range is being introduced with a single petrol engine – a turbocharged 1.5-litre 140kW VTEC four-cylindert, paired with a continuously variable transmission.
Engine and economy
It’s the same engine 1.5-litre engine used in the Honda Civic but has been upgraded with a larger turbocharger to boost its power and performance in order to pull the heavier SUV frame.
In the Civic the powerplant generates 127kW and 220Nm but in the new CR-V, power and torque are increased to 140kW and 240Nm.
The increased power is needed as the new CR-V, with the exception of the range-topping all-wheel drive model, is heavier than the outgoing model. The seven-seat two-wheel drive VTI-L is the heaviest of all the models, weighing in at 1642kg.
Despite the weight, Honda claims relatively frugal fuel economy, from just 7.0L/100km in the entry-level CR-V VTi 2WD to 7.4L/100km for the all-wheel drive variants.
Space and accommodation
Dimensionally, the CR-V is altered in all measures. It is longer and wider with its wheelbase extended by 40mm to 2660mm. Ground clearance is improved on all variants, with all-wheel drive models offering an extra 38mm.
Interior space has been maximised, with second-row passengers the big beneficiaries. There’s now an additional 65mm of knee clearance in the second row – and even with the driver’s seat set up for a tall driver, there still plenty of room to move.
There’s also second row vents and two USBs to save siblings arguing about who gets to charge their tablet. Head room is decent in the five-seat models but reduced for tall occupants in the seven-seat model VTi-L model.
The trade-off in the greater passenger cabin space is a slight loss of luggage volume so while the boot space is also longer, overall capacity is reduced in volume terms.
Five-seat models see maximum luggage capacity reduced by 36 litres to 1120, while the new seven-seat model has a maximum luggage capacity of 967 -- reduced, of course, for the extra row of seats and the need to include a sliding second row.
Third-row access in the VTi-L is easy by compact seven-seat terms. The second row slides fore and aft and seatbacks fold and tumble in a 60:40 configuration. Some origami will be required with child car seats, however, as roof mounted anchors for the second row will hamper seat folding.
Third-row legroom is extremely tight, so this is definitely a space for the smaller members of the tribe. But third-row air-vents, a panoramic sunroof and a light coloured headliner save the space from feeling too oppressive.
Tech and features
Every CR-V model comes standard with a host of family-friendly technology and features. Each model from the entry VTi front-drive model is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, presented on an attractive and functional 7.0-inch colour touch-screen display.
All models also receive features including dual-zone climate-control, keyless entry and push-button start and reverse camera. With the exception of the base model, the CR-V is equipped with an electric tailgate with high adjustment.
This means that six-footers can avoid hitting their head on a low-slung tailgate while families can set up their tailgate for easier operation by children.
Honda also understands the needs of Australian families to feel confident to keep motoring during road trips in the country. It is one of the few manufacturers to include a full-size alloy spare in the boot so there’s no compromise in the form of a temporary, speed-limited spare.
Honda Sensing, a package of driver assistance technologies which include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, is also available on the CR-V for the first time.
However, at this stage the important safety technology is the realm of the cashed-up buyer and only available on the top-grade VTi-LX AWD model.
It’s disappointing to see a family SUV launching into market without the inclusion of autonomous emergency braking as a standard feature across the range. Honda claims its technology is available as part of a suite, and individual elements can’t be separated out for economic and engineering reasons.
It promises the technology will become available on other CR-V variants in due course, so if driver assistance tech is important to you, then you may be better to wait – it’s just not clear how long it will take to trickle down to the volume models.
Driving performance
Behind the wheel of the CR-V is a comfortable place to be. It’s easy to set up a good driving position and visibility is excellent.
The CR-Vs new styling and engineering changes have afforded a reduction in the width of the A-pillar, so there’s no chunky blind spot to obscure the view in traffic or on roundabouts.
Great visibility carries on throughout the rest of the cabin. Large windows provide ideal all around vision, while the configurable rear camera and Lanewatch camera (available on the VTi-S models upwards) make manoeuvring in tight spots much easier.
Performance of the VTEC engine is solid, with strong low-down torque generating plenty of grunt to get the CR-V moving. It’s no sporty performer but neither is it a slouch – it’s a good all-round combination which is likely to have appeal for mainstream family buyers.
The CVT auto is well matched to the engine, and while it exhibits a trademark whine under heavy load, it’s a mature unit which does its best to mirror conventional transmission shift changes. Choose a model with paddle shifters, and you can engage much more with the car by managing changes manually.
In both front- and all-wheel drive variants the ride is soft and compliant. The suspension set-up is a dead giveaway that this is a family SUV first and foremost.
The CR-V’s all-wheel drive system starts in AWD mode but moderates to two-wheel when not required. This helps the vehicle maintain sold fuel economy figures.
A spin in the two-wheel drive variant on gravel roads demonstrated a car which is easy to handle and enjoyable to drive. Steering gives reasonable feedback and it’s easy to point and place the car.
Servicing and warranty
The CR-V is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty supported with transparent capped-price servicing. Unlike Suzuki’s recently introduced five-year warranty, Honda doesn’t require customers to return to a main dealer for servicing to access the extended warranty.
In a growing medium SUV segment where there are many great choices for family buyers, the CR-V needs to be many things to many families and it needs to represent good value.
It largely delivers. The pick of the range will be the well-specified five-seat VTi-S 2WD model. Retailing at $33,290 plus on-road costs, it offers the best of the economical 2WD performance combined with some of the better features available in the range.
Buyers looking for flexibility will like the opportunity for the occasional-use seven-seat VTi-L while top-shelf buyers will find everything they are looking for in the VTi-LX.
Is the CR-V a safe option for family buyers? Yes it is. Has it done enough to attract buyers away from the competition? Some head-to-head comparisons will help us settle that one.
2017 Honda CR-V VTi 2WD pricing and specifications:
Price: $30,690 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: CVT automatic
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBAg/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A
2017 Honda CR-V VTi-S 2WD pricing and specifications:
Price: $33,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: CVT automatic
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A
2017 Honda CR-V VTi-S AWD pricing and specifications:
Price: $35,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: CVT automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A
2017 Honda CR-V VTi-L (7-seat) 2WD pricing and specifications:
Price: $38,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: CVT automatic
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A
2017 Honda CR-V VTi-LX AWD pricing and specifications:
Price: $44,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: CVT automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A
Read about the competition in our most recent medium SUV comparison