Honda CR-V Reviews

There was a time when Honda was considered by some (and itself) to be the Japanese version of BMW. Sporty, prestige cars that were distinctive and high-end. How things changed.Frankly, Honda lost its mojo somewhere around the turn of the century, and while there have been glimpses of that former aspirational brand, many of Honda’s products in the meantime have been cannon-fodder stuff. And into that mix, you could probably toss the CR-V.It’s not that the CR-V was a bad car, just that it lacked the old sparkle. The fifth generation of the CR-V SUV failed to change that perception or Honda’s unenviable sales trajectory.A shift to Thailand production didn’t help, either, and somehow the CR-V has struggled along. Which is not to say it isn’t worth a look as a used-car buy, because in terms of ride quality, cabin fit and finish and interior space relative to its exterior dimensions it’s still a Honda. In other areas, not so much…Dubbed internally the 'RW' series CR-V, this car was available in Australia in a bewildering range of models and driveline layouts. That started with the entry-level VTi which was a five-seater, front-wheel drive variant. The range then moved up to the better equipped VTi-S, still with five seats, but a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The range-topper was the VTi-LX which was a five-seater and AWD only and then, just to confuse us, Honda also dropped the VTi-L into showrooms with its FWD platform but seven seats.Which ever variant you bought you got the same powertrain; a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine driving through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Unless, of course, you bought the most affordable model which Honda quietly slipped into showrooms in 2019. Called the Vi, this was a stripped-out version designed to get a car on to the market at under $30,000, As a result, the turbo engine was dropped in favour of a gutless, low-tech SOHC 2.0-litre, four-cylinder with but 113kW. Add the same CVT auto and you had a recipe for humdrum.

Honda’s CR-V has a long history in Australia. The mid-size family SUV doesn’t sell in the numbers it used to, but it’s one of the best cars in its class. And it just got more appealing. Honda has dropped all but two petrol grades and increased the number of hybrid grades from one to four. Is that enough to hold off the new Toyota RAV4?

After three months driving one of the most impressive hybrid family SUVs on the market we find a chink in its mighty armour.

The arguments for the Honda's CR-V e:HEV RS are stacking up in our second month behind the wheel and we now have a good understanding of how it performs its daily duties.

This Honda CR-V e:HEV RS is in the goldilocks zone for family SUVs.

The likeable Honda CR-V has long traded on good looks, impressive engineering, family-friendly practicality and value to lure buyers in.Now, the all-new sixth-gen version adds the e:HEV hybrid flagship to the mix, combining excellent economy and electrified performance to a substantially improved package.Is that enough to tempt buyers away from the evergreen Toyota RAV4 hybrid? We think so.

The Honda CR-V hit our shores in 1997 and it's been a popular mid-sized SUV for families ever since, but the recently launched 2024 sixth-generation version sees some much-needed updates to its technology, design and practicality. Will those changes keep it competitive in an increasingly competitive market?

Not only has the new CR-V grown in size - it has a 40-mm longer wheelbase - it also comes with a hybrid powertrain option for the first time. 

Honda has seriously stretched the new-gen CR-V over the old one to make room for another mid-size SUV - the ZR-V - in its line-up.

Honda has made the sixth-generation bigger than the old one and it now sits somewhere between the dimensions of a Toyota RAV4 and a Kia Sorento.