Honda CR-V News

Cars without back windows? Cameras instead of mirrors? Electric cars that sound like petrol ones? Here's our Top 5 things car makers have fixed that weren't broken.

Following preliminary sales results announced in February, JATO dynamics has confirmed that the Tesla Model Y was the world’s best selling car in 2023. This historic statistic marks the first time an electric car has been the most popular vehicle globally. It achieved 1,223,000 sales for a huge 64 per cent improvement on 2022 to beat previous winners such as the Toyota RAV4 (1,075,000) and Honda CR-V (846,000).Although Model Y’s lead is perhaps not surprising to Oceanic, US or European readers, JATO dynamics analyst Felipe Munoz points out the astounding achievement given the Model Y’s lower demand in emerging markets. The strength of Japanese makers in general, and the RAV4 and CR-V in particular, is that they are not only popular in markets like the United States, Australia and Europe but are offered in lower cost guises that can succeed in growth markets including India (4.13 million sales), Brazil (2.12 million) and Iran (1.43 million).Following the CR-V came the Toyota Corolla sedan (803,000), Corolla Cross small SUV (715,000) and Camry sedan (650,000).The world’s most popular pick-up truck was the Ford F-150 (623,000) closely followed by the Toyota HiLux (605,000). In ninth spot was the Nissan Sentra (534,000) with the Tesla Model 3 (508,000) sneaking into the top 10. Australia’s top 10 featured the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max all ahead of the fourth-place Toyota RAV4. The Model Y took sixth spot locally trailing another Chinese-made SUV, the MG ZS. There was not a single passenger car in our top-10 – all were either SUVs or light commercial vehicles. It’s also worth noting our new-car market is forecast around 1.2 million units this year – less than the Model Y on its own globally.But Tesla may not remain at the top of the tree this year, and it will certainly become more challenging come 2025. Its Model 3 and Model Y are both due a facelift if they are to stay competitive in mature markets. Additionally, there is so much growth coming from what Jato has defined as emerging markets that the Model Y and Model 3 are not well-placed to capture. In total, these countries accounted for 22 per cent of new vehicle sales last year. The other looming threat for Tesla is China. For the first time in 2023, Chinese brands sold more cars than United States brands. The highest selling model was the BYD Qin sedan in 12th followed by the Song Plus – known as the Sealion 6 here – in 19th spot. Japan remained at the top of the tree, with 29.1 per cent of all new vehicle sales coming from the country’s marques and European brands accounting for 24.9 per cent. Top 10 best selling vehicles in the world  

Honda Australia now offers blind-spot monitoring (BSM) and rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) as $400-$800 options on lower trim versions of its CR-V and ZR-V mid-size SUVs.Buyers are able to order the new variants now, with them complementing the existing range. There are no other price changes.The additional safety equipment will aid Honda's pair of SUVs in the fight against the Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan.For the ZR-V, the VTi X remains price leader at $39,500 drive-away while the new RCTA and BSM equipped VTi X+ increases that to $39,900.The mid-spec VTi L remains at $42,500 and the VTi L+ ($42,900) retains the same $400 price increase.The Higher trim VTi LX and e:HEV LX variants were already fitted as standard with the tech and therefore do not change.Only the base CR-V VTi X ($43,900 drive-away) was previously not fitted with the equipment. In five-seat guise, the VTi X+ is $800 dearer at $44,700. The seven-seat version is not available with the extra pack.All the additional variants use Honda's 140kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder paired with a CVT automatic. The upper trim 'e:HEV' hybrid models are already equipped with the safety equipment.Honda Australia has not said the ZR-V VTi X, VTi LX or CR-V VTi X will be discontinued however it did mention that "stock availability of these variants will be limited."There is also an end of financial year offer of an eight-year and unlimited kilometre warranty as well as eight years of premium roadside assist for those who order any ZR-V, a 2023 build CR-V petrol or 2024 build CR-V hybrid.

Honda Australia is about to seriously ramp up its hybrid offering, with the focus on more affordable petrol-electric grades of key models.

Will you next car be hybrid, electric... or hydrogen? Honda has revealed its hydrogen CR-V - the CR-V e:FCEV.

Is it really the end of 2023 already? How did that happen so fast?? Well, it's time once again to review my year in cars and whittle down everything I have driven into a short list of five of my top picks.

Much like most other manufacturers, Honda’s stock levels have been up and down since the pandemic, and while supply has improved on some key models, it’s the hybrids and hot hatches that still have lengthy wait lists.

If you’ve bought a new car recently you’re probably aware of how insanely competitive the Australian new-vehicle market is. Right now there are just shy of 50 car brands all vying for your attention, and there are more on the way.

Honda’s new-generation CR-V will hit Australian later this year in a seven-variant line-up that is geared towards stealing sales away from the Mazda CX-8, Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Honda Australia is confident that the arrival of the all-new ZR-V and new-generation CR-V will lead it back to sales success.