Honda CR-V Review 2024

Honda has refined the CR-V to create an efficient and practical family SUV, with the promise of any easy ownership experience included. If you want a car that will be affordable to run, offers plenty of space and is packed with technology, the Honda CR-V should be on your shortlist.

The only potential downsides are performance is nothing to write home about, plus list prices that can look quite expensive. Finding a used example negates the latter issue, though – and who really needs a rapid family SUV?

Choosing the best version of the Honda CR-V for you depends upon whether you have the option to charge an electrified vehicle at home.

If you can install a domestic wallbox then the Honda CR-V e:PHEV plug-in hybrid makes the most sense. This will allow you to take advantage of up to 50 miles of battery range before the petrol engine cuts in, and the accompanying low running costs.

The e:PHEV comes in only one trim level, with a generous amount of standard equipment, too.

Even if you cannot charge at home, the regular hybrid Honda CR-V e:HEV is certainly not a bad compromise. Although it cannot offer the same lengthy electric-only range, it will still be economical to run.

Of the two trim levels offered for the e:HEV, the standard Elegance model features ample equipment for most buyers.

There is no shortage of options when it comes to family SUVs, meaning the Honda CR-V has plenty of competition. Looking at rivals for the plug-in hybrid e:PHEV model, the CR-V is similar to the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-60, Lexus NX and BMW X3 (thanks to its premium pricing).

Competitors up against the regular hybrid Honda CR-V e:HEV include the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and the self-charging version of the Toyota RAV4. There is Honda’s own smaller ZR-V hybrid to consider as well.

The overall level of finish inside the Honda CR-V is robust, meaning it feels like it should survive whatever family life can throw at it. It’s sensible and logical, rather than over-styled and chintzy.

All of the switchgear is well dampened and solid, and there are enough soft-touch materials where needed to give an upmarket vibe. There is a lot of gloss black plastic, and some of the trim found lower down can feel a bit scratchy, but this is arguably the same in most modern SUVs.

Every model in the new CR-V range comes fitted with black leather upholstery as standard, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The steering wheel becomes heated in Advance and Advance Tech versions, too.

With a similar interior layout to the latest Honda Civic, it should come as no surprise that the new CR-V shares the same infotainment setup as the smaller hatchback.

This is a positive move, with the CR-V’s 9.0-inch Honda Connect infotainment touchscreen being clear and simple to use. Although the graphics may seem a little dated, the screen reacts quickly to inputs and is logical to use. Aiding this is a set of physical shortcut buttons, including a proper volume knob.

There are also physical buttons and knobs for the climate control air-con, meaning there is no delving into touchscreens just to change the temperature.

Honda fits a digital instrument panel as standard to all CR-V models. As with the infotainment screen, it is easy to use if a little lacking in visual flair.

All versions of the CR-V come with a DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus wireless smartphone charging and satellite navigation as standard.

An eight-speaker audio system is fitted to the CR-V Elegance, but the Advance and Advance Tech models come with a 12-speaker Bose Premium setup instead.

Compared to its predecessor, the latest Honda CR-V has grown in length by a substantial 106mm. This makes it 4706mm long, with a width of 1866mm, placing it at the larger end of the family SUV spectrum.

That extra length includes a longer wheelbase, with the promise of extra space for passengers. Curiously, Honda has resisted the urge to add a third row of seats to the CR-V, meaning it remains a five-seat-only option.

Room in the front of the CR-V is generous, with lots of legroom and a generous amount of headroom. There is a panoramic sunroof fitted as standard, but even this avoids being a problem for the tallest drivers, unlike in some rival SUVs.

In the rear, the CR-V is wide enough to accommodate three adults across the bench seat. There is a slight hump in the floor for the person in the middle, but otherwise headroom and legroom should be more than sufficient. The rear seats have multiple angles of backrest recline to select from, too.

Curiously, when it comes to boot space, the plug-in hybrid e:PHEV version of the CR-V actually has a greater cargo capacity. With the rear seats up, it can accommodate 635 litres of luggage, increasing to a potential 1728 litres with the back seats folded down.

In the e:HEV hybrid, the CR-V offers 596 litres of luggage space, or 1651 litres when the rear seats are dropped. This includes some useful underfloor storage, in addition to the multiple cubbies found throughout the cabin.

The hybrid e:HEV and plug-in hybrid e:PHEV versions of the Honda CR-V offer a variation on the theme of a similar powertrain.

Both feature a 2.0-litre petrol engine, which produces 148PS alone, and also acts as a generator for the electric motors. This result is a total power output of 184PS, which is lower than some of the CR-V’s main rivals.

In the Honda CR-V e:HEV hybrid, power is sent to all four wheels, offering the potential for a 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds. This does not tell the full story, though, as the instant torque from the electric motors makes the CR-V feel quicker on the road.

Although the plug-in hybrid CR-V e:PHEV uses a similar powertrain, with a larger 17.7kWh battery, it only sends its power to the front wheels. This has little impact on performance, with the same 0-62mph time quoted as for the regular hybrid model.

The e:PHEV also comes with a dedicated towing mode, which helps balance battery power when pulling heavy loads. This allows the plug-in hybrid CR-V to tow trailers weighing up to 1500kg.

Honda’s hybrid system is designed to enable the use of battery power alone at lower speeds. This means that, when driving around town, the CR-V can be very quiet and refined.

Unlike some other hybrid-powered SUVs, the design of the hybrid setup avoids the issues often seen with CVT automatic gearboxes. The car doesn’t cling onto engine revs to build power, keeping noise levels down.

Wind and road noise are well contained as well, making the CR-V a refined travelling companion on longer journeys.

Being so new, the latest Honda CR-V has not been subject to evaluation by the Euro NCAP safety organisation. However, the new model’s predecessors scored the maximum five-star rating, and it seems unlikely that Honda would take its eye off the ball here.

The list of standard safety equipment is extensive, thanks to Honda’s Sensing 360 package. Along with a host of airbags, there is also collision mitigation braking, lane-change collision mitigation, active lane-change assist, and lane-keeping assist.

You even get cornering speed assistance, which works with the adaptive cruise control system. This can detect bends in the road ahead, then reduce the car’s speed automatically to ensure safe progress.

Honda has a formidable reputation for quality and reliability, meaning the all-new CR-V is unlikely to cause many concerns. In the most recent Honest John Satisfaction Index, Honda was ranked in sixth place for reliability, ahead of Kia and Mazda.

New Honda cars come with a three-year or 90,000-mile warranty, although there are numerous offers around to extend this to five years instead.

There is also a separate five-year or 90,000-mile coverage for the IMA hybrid system, too.

When it comes to insurance, being expensive and high-tech naturally means that the Honda CR-V will cost more to cover than a simpler supermini.

Both trim levels of the Honda CR-V e:HEV are placed in group 34 (out of 50 groups in total) for insurance. For comparison, a hybrid Toyota RAV4 starts in group 25 for the entry-level model.

Opting for the Honda CR-V e:PHEV sees the insurance ranking upped to group 37 instead. A plug-in hybrid version of a Mazda CX-60 can be found in group 38 or 39, meaning the Honda is likely to be a little cheaper.

The rate of VED (annual road tax) for the Honda CR-V is determined by which powertrain you opt for. Both are above the £40,000 ‘luxury’ threshold, though, meaning they are subject to an additional £390 annual charge for five years after first being taxed.

Being a plug-in hybrid means the CR-V e:PHEV avoids any road tax charge for the first year. For the following five years it will cost £170, plus the extra £390, for a total of £560.

In e:HEV form, the Honda CR-V comes with a considerable first-year VED rate of £635. Following this, it will cost the same £560 as the plug-in model.

The Honda CR-V comes with a choice of two trim levels for the regular e:HEV hybrid.

Elegance is the starting point for the CR-V e:HEV, with 18-inch Shark Grey alloy wheels, LED lights with automatic high-beam, privacy glass, roof rails and a panoramic sunroof. 

There is also a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, a power-operated tailgate, dual-zone climate control and an interior finished in black leather. The front seats are heated, and come with eight-way electrical adjustment. Keyless entry and start are included, along with Honda’s Sensing 360 suite of safety systems.

A 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is fitted, with DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, sat nav, and live traffic information. Honda includes a digital instrument display and wireless smartphone charging as well.

Moving up to the Honda CR-V e:HEV Advance brings extra equipment, including headlights with adaptive driving beam, a multi-view parking camera and a Bose premium sound system. Heated outer rear seats are included, with the leather-wrapped steering wheel also heated. The driver’s seat also comes with a memory function for the power adjustment.

The Honda CR-V plug-in hybrid e:PHEV is sold only in Advance Tech trim, acting as a range-topping model.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels in Berlina Black, an exclusive black front grille, body-coloured bumpers and wheelarches, and a panoramic glass sunroof. The door mirrors are black and there is a high-gloss black finish for the window surrounds.

Other standard equipment includes front and rear parking sensors, a multi-view camera with Honda’s Parking Pilot system, a dark-coloured headlining and a Bose sound system. The Honda Connect infotainment system comes with integrated satellite navigation, too.