Honda CR-V (2018-2023) Review

If you’re not fussed about a diesel engine and don’t need to use seven seats regularly, the Honda CR-V is an extremely practical and comfortable family SUV. We like how refined the new hybrid models are, and it represents good value for money on the used market (even if it is a bit pricey when new).

Go for the hybrid model if you can, while deciding between two- or four-wheel-drive is down to your individual requirements. We’d suggest mid-level SE or SR trims represent the best value for money.

The Toyota RAV4 is the Honda CR-V’s arch-nemesis, also combining impressive practicality with hybrid power and a reputation for reliability. You could also consider a wide range of SUVs such as the Skoda Kodiaq, SEAT Tarraco, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, Peugeot 5008 and Mazda CX-5.

Overall and the finish of the Honda CR-V is good, but not excellent. There are some nice soft-touch plastics used in the cabin, as well as some leather effect materials used higher up. The smooth plastic on the central console is a little disappointing though and it's scratchy feel is a little bit of a let down. 

While there are some grumbles about the interior trim, the Honda CR-V is well put together, feeling nice and sturdy. 

The biggest weak point in the Honda CR-V’s interior is the infotainment. It's way behind the systems found in most rivals.

Entry-level S models get a 5.0-inch display (with no built-in sat nav), with models SE models and above getting a larger 7.0-inch touchscreen display and if we're honest, it's clunky and slow to respond. Just as bad is how unintuitive it is to use. Fortunately Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on SE models and above, allowing you to mirror some of your phone’s features and bypass the car’s annoying navigation system.

For audio, you get eight speakers as standard with the S, then nine speakers with SE models and beyond. S models only get a single USB socket, while SE models and beyond get four USB connections. 

The Honda CR-V measures 4600mm long and 1855mm wide, giving it roughly the same proportions as a Ford Kuga. 

Honda's been clever with the CR-V and managed to include plenty of useful storage areas - there's a large box under the central armrest for starters, while the large door pockets are great for stowing away large bottles and coffee cups. 

There's ample space upfront and rear passengers aren't short-changed either. There's loads of legroom even if you shove the front seats all the way back, while there's plenty of headroom as well. Petrol versions of the Honda CR-V could be spec'd with seven seats before Honda went hybrid-only with the CR-V, but it's not the best seven-seater out there to be honest, with space a bit thin on the ground compared to larger rivals. Best stick to the five seat variant as it works much better. 

Because the batteries sit underneath the boot, the Honda CR-V with the hybrid engine has had the boot space compromised a little. This sees the boot capacity of the CR-V reduced to 500 litres - 60 litres down on the now discontinued petrol model. 

The Honda CR-V always used to be a favourite amongst caravanners and it's been one of the best cars for towing you can buy, but Honda boldly ditched the diesel engine with the latest model.

The latest Honda CR-V launched with a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 173PS or a 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid engine with 184PS, though Honda's since ditched the 1.5-litre unit from the range, leaving the hybrid engine your only choice if you're buying new. However, expect to find a decent selection of petrol versions on the used market. 

Which ever one you pick, both are available with two- or four-wheel drive, while the 1.5-litre is available with manual or CVT automatic gearboxes. The 2.0-litre hybrid is only available as an auto.

With the Honda CR-V relying on the electric motor when driving at lower speeds, you'll find it a very calm and refined place to be. It pulls away effortlessly, while the transition to petrol-power is very smooth. 

Plant your foot down and you can expect the revs to soar and become quite audible in the cabin, but once it's settled into a cruise, there's no real engine noise to speak off. There's a bit of wind noise at these higher speeds though, and spec it with larger alloy wheels and you'll get a bit more road noise than usual.  

The Honda CR-V scored a five-star rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2019. Breaking down the result, and the CR-V scored 93% for adult occupant protection, 83% for child occupant protection, while pedestrian protection is rated at 70%.

The Honda CR-V also scored highly for the amount of safety tech that comes as standard. This includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation and an Intelligent Speed Limiter. On top of this, there's a suit of airbags to protect both front and rear occupants. SR models and up also get Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Monitoring.

It's probably no surprise to hear that Honda performs very well for reliability. That's underlined by the fact it ranks very highly in the annual HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index. 

Previous generations of CR-V have built up an enviable reputation for reliability and it looks like the latest CR-V will continue that trend, with no common issues of note so far. There's also a three year/90,000 mile warranty that comes with a new Honda CR-V, which also includes breakdown assistance. 

The cheapest new Honda CR-V to insure is the entry-level S trim model with a i-MMD Hybrid engine and eCVT gearbox. This falls into insurance group 22 - quite a bit more than something like the Ford Kuga, which is on insurance group 10 for the base Zetec model with the 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.

The good news though is that insurance premiums shouldn't go up that much if you plump for one of the better spec'd cars, with the CR-V in EX trim and with a now discontinued 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo power plant topping out at insurance group 25. The newer i-MMD Hybrid engine brings that down to insurance group 24 and while a little more than an equivalent Ford Kuga for example, it's still a long way from the highest Group 50. 

After the first year, car tax will set you back a flat rate of £155 a year for the standard CR-V, dropping to £145 for hybrid models. 

If you're tempted by a fully loaded EX model or go crazy with options on an CR-V in SR trim, it’s worth watching out for premium tax, too. Any car with a list price of more than £40,000 costs an extra £325 a year in road tax for the first five years (after the first year). It won't affect a lot of CR-Vs, but you'll want to keep an eye out for it on high-spec cars. 

The S trim level is the entry-level model in the Honda CR-V range. Highlights include 17-inch alloy wheels (18-inch on Hybrid models), a 5.0-inch media system with DAB radio and a host of safety systems (ranging from an autonomous emergency braking to a road departure mitigation system).

Most buyers will find the SE more appealing, with things like 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and a rear-view camera. There’s a seven-inch navigation system (complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), while a leather-wrapped steering wheel gear knob makes it feel a bit plusher inside.

Moving up the range, the SR adds highlights like leather seats (heated in the front), ambient interior lighting and privacy glass. Blind spot information and cross traffic monitor systems are both useful safety features, while keyless entry and start makes life a little easier.

Topping the range is the CR-V EX, which adds 19-inch alloy wheels (the Hybrid sticks with 18s), an opening panoramic glass sunroof, a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. It also gets an electric tailgate and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat.