Honda CR-V VTi-L 2013 review

This popular SUV has been a family favourite over the past 17 years but the latest model must fire up and get the badge back in front of buyers.

Towards the end of last year sales were down nearly 40 per cent while at year's end it was 17.7 per cent down, with the new model lifting sales in the final two months.

The CR-V was seventh overall, with 4733 sales in the 100,000-unit category, well down on the Nissan X-Trail (16,066) and the rapidly rising Mazda CX-5 (15,861). Last month the CR-V increased sales by a healthy 133.1 per cent. So buyers are returning to the medium SUV which has been eagerly awaited. 

Value

Explore the 2013 Honda CR-V range

• Honda CR-V VTi-L 2013 review: road test
• Honda CR-V VTi 2WD 2013 review
• Honda CR-V VTi-L 2013 review: snapshot
• Honda CR-V VTi-L 2013 review
• Honda CR-V 2WD auto 2013 review
• Honda CR-V 2013 review

The manual front-drive-only base model is $29,990 drive away, with the auto $32,290. The test vehicle, the top of the range VTi-Luxury is $45,467 on the road. It's certainly better looking, quieter, more refined and more economical with a spacious, functional interior and good packaging.

But the 2.4-litre version with all-wheel-drive is more expensive, the drive train has been carried over and there is an outdated foot-operated parking brake.

The test vehicle was well equipped with hill start assist (HSA) and transmission shift lock (automatic transmission only), tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, trip computer, cruise control with steering wheel controls, a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, audio system with AM/FM radio, CD/DVD with MP3 and WMA capability and USB connectivity, Bluetooth and satellite navigation.

As well as roof rails, a luggage cover, an alarm, automatic headlights and wipers, fog lights, dual-zone climate control airconditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming mirror, HID headlights with cornering function and auto turn-off, an electric sunroof, smart key entry with push-button start, eight-way driver power seating adjustment with power lumbar support, four-way power adjustment passenger seat, four seat auto up/down windows - operated by the key fob - as well as leather seats.

Design

Hondas always have great interiors and the CR-V remains faithful to the brand. Most surfaces are soft to touch, the finishes are good quality and everything fits together nicely. The instrument cluster is well presented and classy, with a dominant speedo and the rev-counter to the left and other dials to the right.

A stylish sweep of wood-look trim lifts the dashboard appearance and the controls and knobs are laid out logically and are ergonomically sound. The centre console has a covered storage area, cup holders and a quality feel. There are plenty of cubby holes.

The smaller phone-size pockets above the main door storage areas are thoughtful but there's still no-where handy to put a smart phone in the centre console where the cup holders have to make do.

There's decent legroom and headroom and a folding centre armrest, complete with cup holders in the rear, as well as air vents. The boot is spacious with split-fold seats to maximise load capacity. A luggage cover keeps prying eyes away but must be retracted manually, unlike some that are hooked up to the tailgate.

A minor complaint is that the outer child-seat anchor points are mounted on the roof, meaning the top tether restricts the view in the rear-vision mirror.

Technology

The Thai-built wagon has the familiar 2.4-litre engine with honest if uninspiring performance. It's willing and generates 140kW on regular unleaded petrol.

Mid-range response is acceptable but there's more zing and noise at higher revs, with the engine's pitch changing at 5000rpm as the VTEC variable-valve timing system, pioneered by Honda, kicks in.

Like all Honda engines, it likes to rev but needs a bit more go lower down. Peak power is at 7000rpm, yet the auto shifts up at 6700rpm. If you want all the 140kW, you have to use the paddle shifters and hold it in gear.

The engine is hampered by only having five speeds instead of six, which would give it more flexibility. Fuel use is supposed to be 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres, but the reality in everyday driving is likely to be more than 10.

I managed 10.9 in a combination of suburban driving and a run to Innisfail, to Coquette Point, Etty Bay and Mourilyan Harbour. I also kept the green ECON button on - which adjusts the vehicle's throttle sensitivity, gear change points and airconditioning to save fuel.

Safety

There's stability and traction control, front airbags, side airbags and full-length curtain airbags with rollover sensors, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).

Driving

Mums will love the CR-V for its higher elevation on the road, its reversing camera and sensors to make manoeuvring easier. Despite the higher centre of gravity, it's generally well controlled over bumps and settles quickly but it will lean into corners when driven enthusiastically.

If you go too fast into a corner it will scrub wide, scrambling for grip, which - most of the time - is on par for a family SUV. The steering is a bit slow and a bit vague at the straight ahead but it is otherwise light enough and it lets you know what is going on at road level.

It's comfortable but a little bit jiggly on some surfaces. There's a nice blend of control and suppleness. The CR-V is firm but compliant. There's too much road and tyre noise on coarse bitumen surfaces and a bit of a hollow drumming sound from the rear compartment.

Verdict

The latest CR-V isn't a game-changer for the compact SUV segment but it's near the top. It offers solid value and a classy interior with lots of goodies.

The CR-V is easy to drive, is generally quiet, good looking and well built. The foot-operated parking brake is a nuisance, the engine a bit mediocre and its road and tyre noise is too high. 

CR-V owners will love the latest model and it should provide Honda with far more showroom appeal.