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The Honda CR-V has been a stalwart of the mid-size household SUV class for six generations now.
It was one of many early pioneers of the crossover SUV section when it was first launched to Australia in 1997 and, whereas as we speak’s CR-V has grown in measurement (and value), it has stayed true to its core philosophy ever since.
It’s a spacious, family-friendly soft-roader with a car-like driving character, whereas maintaining with the most recent in automotive applied sciences.
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That features a fuel-saving hybrid powertrain within the range-topping CR-V RS e:HEV we’re testing right here.
So, let’s check out the seven standout options of this flagship medium SUV.
1. Normal gear
The RS e:HEV sits on the high of the Honda CR-V vary, which incorporates seven totally different variants throughout 4 gear grades, and it’s the one variant that comes with a hybrid powertrain.
As such, it prices probably the most at $59,990 drive-away, however it additionally comes loaded with the best degree of ordinary gear together with:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED computerized headlights
- Panoramic sunroof
- Powered tailgate
- Keyless entry and push-button begin
- Twin-zone local weather management with rear air vents
- Energy-adjustable entrance seats with heating
- Black leather-appointed trim
- 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
- 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Android Auto with Google Assistant
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- DAB+ digital radio
- Embedded satellite-navigation
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 12-speaker Bose audio system
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Energetic noise cancelling
- Honda Join providers and smartphone app
Whereas the CR-V RS encompasses a distinctive hybrid powertrain (which we’ll clarify in additional element later), the remainder of the vary is powered by a standard 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with the selection of both front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive relying on the mannequin.
For these on a tighter funds, the vary kicks off at $41,900 drive-away for the entry-level VTi X+, after which steps as much as the mid-range VTi L that prices $49,300 drive-away. In what’s a rarity within the mid-size SUV section, each of those variants may also be had with a three-row seating configuration for a complete of seven seats.
The VTi L may also be had with all-wheel drive for $51,800 drive-away, whereas the VTi LX is completely supplied with all-paw traction – and an identical degree of equipment to the RS – for $57,500 drive-away.
All costs for Honda fashions embody on-road prices.
2. Spacious inside
One of many hallmark options of the CR-V that has remained true via all six generations is its intelligent use of house contained in the cabin.
The newest-generation isn’t any totally different, providing one of the versatile and roomy interiors in its class, making it a really perfect alternative for rising households.
The general design is comparatively conservative in comparison with a few of its newer, extra flamboyant rivals, with a easy T-shaped dashboard that integrates the digital instrument cluster underneath a standard cowl, whereas a tablet-style touchscreen for the infotainment system floats above the centre console, which itself homes a ‘regular’ gear selector behind a wi-fi charging pad and in entrance of dual cupholders. It’s all fairly commonplace stuff.
Besides there’s a a lot larger diploma of high quality in Honda’s alternative of supplies than you’ll discover in its alternate options, with soft-touch plastics that lend a way of inconspicuous luxurious all through the cabin. And all of the controls – together with the myriad of buttons, knobs and toggles – really feel extra strong and exact than these in lots of opponents. It’s this ingredient of construct high quality that justifies the CR-V’s premium pricetag.
However again to house. The CR-V is among the many roomiest within the mid-size SUV class, providing wonderful headroom all spherical, and above-average legroom for these within the again. The boot, which gives a beneficiant 581 litres of capability behind the second row, can be one of many largest in its class – and simply accessible because of the powered tailgate.
3. Intelligent rear seats
Other than how a lot house there’s within the again seat, the CR-V units the benchmark for flexibility because of what Honda calls Magic Seats.
The second row can transfer ahead and again to extend boot house or legroom, relying on necessities, and the seat backs can recline via three totally different settings. It additionally encompasses a flip-down centre armrest with extra cupholders for added consolation and comfort.
As in lots of automobiles, the 60:40-split and folding association permits for lengthy gadgets to be loaded whereas nonetheless sustaining seating for one or two occupants within the second row. Or each may be folded right down to create a cavernous house that measures 1636L in capability, and a totally flat flooring.
Uniquely – and within the actually magical half – the rear seat cushions may also flip upwards, permitting you to load taller gadgets like pot crops, for instance, at the back of the automobile. There’s nothing else prefer it.
4. Security that works
In contrast to another mid-size SUV mannequin ranges, through which high-spec mannequin grades include extra security gear, all variants of the Honda CR-V are geared up with the identical complete suite of superior crash avoidance and driver aids, together with:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with ahead collision warning
- Adaptive Cruise Management
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Holding Help
- Visitors Jam Help
- Visitors Signal Recognition
- Automated excessive beams
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear Cross Visitors Alert
- Driver consideration monitoring
All variants are additionally fitted with a full suite of 9 airbags that cowl all occupants in each five- and seven-seat configurations. Unusually on this class of auto, there are driver and entrance passenger knee baggage in addition to a centre airbag between the entrance seats to restrict the potential harm from head clashes between the driving force and entrance passenger within the occasion of a facet affect.
And whereas it ticks loads of containers, the true distinction between the CR-V and lots of of its cheaper rivals is clearly evident in how nicely built-in these security techniques are, to the purpose the place the driving force aids are nearly invisible.
That’s to not say they don’t work. On the contrary, as features just like the adaptive cruise management, automated braking and lane protecting help are so efficient that you simply solely discover them when you actually need them to intervene, which is precisely how they need to function.
Once more, it’s engineering high quality like this that additional justifies the CR-V’s value premium.
5. Seamless hybrid
Equally, what’s underneath the bonnet is extra spectacular in motion than it’s on paper.
The Honda CR-V RS e:HEV is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a constantly variable computerized transmission that includes a pair of electrical motors to extend energy and torque, and cut back gas consumption.
The powertrain generates most mixed outputs of 135kW of energy and 335Nm of torque, and consumes a claimed common of 5.5L/100km, that are fairly commonplace figures for a hybrid-powered mid-size SUV.
But it surely delivers the place it counts in the true world, providing an unrivalled degree of sophistication within the administration of its petrol and electrical motors.
The e-CVT transmission makes use of the first electrical motor not simply to get the automobile transferring away from a standstill and help underneath heavy acceleration, like different hybrid techniques, however it may well additionally change off the petrol engine at cruising speeds for brief intervals of time.
And the second motor is used extra like a generator to replenish the 1.1kWh battery pack whereas decelerating.
Positive, it’s not completely floor breaking stuff, however it’s so seamless in switching between the 2 energy sources that you would be able to barely register when the petrol motor chimes in. Once more, it’s the standard of Honda’s engineering experience that shines via right here.
6. Comfy journey
That very same degree of refinement is carried via to the dynamic character of the CR-V, too.
No, it’s not as sporting as its RS nomenclature (which is commonly used as an acronym for Race Sport by different automakers together with, most famously, Porsche) suggests. But it surely does drive precisely as you’d need and count on from a household runabout, providing surefooted dealing with, safe stability at freeway speeds, and well-weighted steering with wonderful on-centre really feel.
Along with that, it delivers a degree of consolation that makes its easy to drive, regardless of whether or not you’re trekking alongside potholed roads via the city jungle, making a long-distance household escape outdoors the town limits, or something in between. It’s a well-sorted automobile for nearly each situation.
And, because of lively noise cancelling know-how which emits white noise via the audio system to counteract pure frequencies from wind and street noise coming into the cabin, it’s whisper-quiet at nearly any pace, too.
7. Reasonably priced servicing
Whereas the CR-V RS e:HEV’s sticker value has some heavy lifting to do, Honda takes the sting out of the long-term possession expertise with one of the inexpensive upkeep packages round, with 5 years of capped-price servicing that prices simply $199 each year.
On high of that, and like all Honda fashions, the CR-V has a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee with free roadside help. That protection may be prolonged to eight years on the finish of the usual guarantee interval if the car has been maintained inside the Honda Service community and meets sure standards.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV
So, there you have got it… seven standout components of the hybrid-powered Honda CR-V flagship, which all add as much as create a benchmark family-friendly SUV.
Positive, it isn’t probably the most inexpensive in its class, which could take it out of competition for these on a tighter funds, however it is a automobile that actually proves you get what you pay for.
And, on this explicit case, its finest qualities lay far beneath the floor, which ought to make it a rewarding and dependable member of the family for a few years to return.
MORE: Discover the Honda showroom
