Honda CR-V Hybrid
THIRD REPORT Can petrol-electric SUV swing an existing owner?
THE older I get, the more I appreciate the knowledge and wisdom that comes with age. So I’ve enrolled a Honda CR-V expert, my stepfather Peter Woolger, to cast an eye over our long-termer. Peter is now on his fourth CR-V – before that he ran a Hondaengined Rover, and an Accord – so he knows a thing or two about the company’s products.
Peter has an eye for faults, having worked as a maintenance manager at Fulham and QPR’s football stadiums for 15 years, before doing the same job at a housing association for 25 years. It’s fair to say that if there’s a problem he’ll spot it. So what did he make of our hybrid CR-V?
First impressions were good, as Peter liked the interior. It felt familiar enough to his own 2017 CR-V, but a bit more upmarket. Already a fan of the CR-V ’s traditional high driving position and good visibility, Peter found our car comfortable and quickly felt at home. The larger infotainment screen ticked a big plus box on Peter’s wish list and the materials also got a mention.
Interestingly, they split opinion. I’m not a fan of the wood trim: to me it feels a bit fake and makes the interior less appealing. But Running costs 40.7mpg (on test) £73 fill-up
Peter and my mother Tina were fans and thought it looked smart set against the chrome trim. They felt it was right for the car, and I’m not going to argue with my mum!
Peter’s petrol CR-V is an auto, but he seemed to be confused about our car’s hybrid auto set-up. It’s simpler than his car, with no lever to put the car into drive, just a simple button to press, and then the brakes release themselves for a silent departure. The lack of noise also took him by surprise, and I think Peter would admit he found it a little unnerving at first. But after a matter of seconds it made sense and we were off for a couple of laps of our test track.
Peter fully expected a smooth ride – that’s one of the reasons why he has stuck with the CR-V – but he remarked on our hybrid’s quietness. I explained to him why it was so refined by showing him the car’s digital displays. At low to medium speeds, the petrol engine only ever tops up the battery to drive on EV power, creating that smooth, quiet, fuel-sipping experience.
Peter and Tina are retired and live in leafy Surrey, and their journeys are usually short and outside of rush hour, so hybrid power Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 497/1,697 litres
would suit them. They could improve on my average economy of 40.7mpg, too.
But there’s one burning question from the Woolger household still to be answered; Is there room for Peter’s golf clubs? With 497 litres of space, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact there’s also room for a cart, while lowering the seats means there’s 1,697 litres of space, which is ideal if Tina’s playing too.
The lack of boot lip in the CR-V makes loading a lot easier than in Peter’s current car, although he would like a powered tailgate. That means he’ll need to move up to a higher spec EX version, which would also add a head-up display.
Asked why he keeps buying CR-Vs, Peter singles out Honda engines. “All these years, they’ve never let me down,” he told us. So would he consider hybrid? “Yes, if they can do me a deal!” Peter can buy outright or upgrade when his current deal ends next year. And I think his head has been turned by the hybrid.
“With 497 litres of space there’s room in the back for Peter’s golf clubs and a cart, too”