Full of surprises. And kids. And luggage
Sensible you can take for granted with the Honda CR-V. But there’s much more to it than just practical family transport. By Alex Tapley
Honda CR-V i-MMD Hybrid SR AWD eCVT Month 8
The story so far
First hybrid version of the CR-V, now in its roomy fifth generation
Spacious and comfortable; undemanding; utterly reliable Hybrid o ers marginal advantages at best
Logbook
Price £34,470 (£35,320 as tested) Performance 1993cc hybrid four-cylinder, 144bhp, 9.2sec 0-62mph, 112mph
E ciency 51.4mpg (o cial) 36.9mpg (tested), 126g/km CO2 Energy cost 17.7p per mile Miles this month 511 Total miles 9763
Last summer, driving back from Wales after photographing our Sports Car Giant Test, I discovered a new dimension to the Honda CR-V Hybrid. It had spent a couple of days excelling as a workhorse. But now, on the A-roads between Snowdonia and Lincolnshire, it was proving itself to be a rapid cross-country weapon.
James Taylor and Mal Bailey in the Lamborghini Huracan Evo just couldn’t shake the red Honda from the rear-view mirror. Of course, in other, less congested, circumstances the Lambo would leave the CR-V standing. But life is mostly not about other, less congested, circumstances. Mostly you need something that helps you see over other trac, lets you sling heaps of clobber in the back, and keeps you comfortable for hundreds of miles at a time. And you need something that can hold high average speeds much more than you need something that can match the Lamborghini’s 2.9 seconds to 62mph.
Based on my seven months with the Honda, not long after a happy spell with a Peugeot 5008, I’m increasingly inclined to think that for family and work use an SUV is the way to go, in preference to an estate or hatch.
The hybrid aspect of our CR-V I’m not so convinced about, mind you. A decent diesel or petrol would probably have matched its average consumption. But my wife – whose journeys in the CR-V tended to be shorter and more likely to involve driving near schools – really appreciated the fact that you could stick it in electric mode and drive emissions-free, if only for a short distance at modest speed.
Part and parcel of the hybrid package is Honda’s eCVT system, which combines the role of gearbox with the job of juggling the petrol engine and electric motor. Although I’m no fan of conventional CVTs, I came to like this one. It feels so smooth that it’s almost like driving an electric car.
You might expect the ride to be compromised on an SUV, because of the weight and height, but you don’t get that with the CR-V. It absorbs pretty much everything, without being squidgy.
For me, Honda’s not a brand you’d shout about. But the CR-V’s a good-looking car; people who don’t get hung up on badges seem to like the way it looks. And it’s pretty nice inside, certainly in SR top-but-one spec with its leather upholstery and good selection of safety and convenience aids, if not in any way pushing the envelope.
The CR-V does what it’s meant to do very, very well, with utter dependability and no unnecessary complication. How many cars can you say that about?
Count the cost
Cost new £34,470 Part exchange
£26,950 Energy cost 15.8p per mile
Cost per mile including depreciation £1.49