REVIEW | Why the Honda CR-V is difficult to justify for the money

The Honda CR-V at one point enjoyed a strong following in South Africa, but it may be pricing itself ever further into the ranks of the niche.

Launched in the mid 1990s, it was one of the early pioneers of the SUV/crossover genre that has grown into a high-volume cash cow, and provided good family practicality and gravel driving ability with reasonable affordability.

The sixth generation CR-V recently arrived in the country with prices that are hard to swallow and, controversially, the vehicle is no longer available with all-wheel drive.

The midsized seven-seater — or five-plus-two seater to be more accurate — is available in a pair of front-wheel drive models priced at R959,900 (1.5T Executive) and R1,039,900 (1.5T Exclusive), making it more expensive than all-wheel drive rivals such as the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Nissan X-Trail, which sell for under R900,000. It is priced similarly to the considerably larger Ford Everest, which is a full-sized seven seater with all-wheel drive and considerably more torque.

Previous CR-Vs were known for their styling conservatism but the new version comes out with a new party outfit that helps it stand out in a sea of SUVs. Its slim headlights and black hexagonal grille give it a more chiselled and athletic look than its predecessor, though there is less change at the rear, which retains familiar hook-shaped tail lamps.

The range-topping Exclusive has more assertive front and rear bumper designs, 19-inch alloy wheels with a machined diamond finish, and a panoramic sunroof.

An understated cabin is comprehensively equipped. (DENIS DROPPA)

Inside it has a sober and businesslike setting without the flashiness of some rivals, with dark wood panels providing subtle garnishing. What it lacks in razzle dazzle the CR-V makes up for in plushness and comfort with leather seats and padded armrests.

The front two rows of this seven-seater are spacious and the third row is ideally for a pair of children, though adults can squeeze in if the middle seats are pushed forward on their rails. The third row flips down to provide space for bulky items, and the boot has a full size spare wheel.

The 1.5T Exclusive is chock-a-block with executive features including a head-up display, and a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unlike many car brands that have fully embraced the sexiness but user-unfriendliness of fully-digital user interfaces, the CR-V retains convenient physical controls for functions such as the climate control and audio volume.

The new CR-V feels impressively solid. (DENIS DROPPA)

A digital instrument panel allows the driver to scroll through music playlists, navigation directions and other features via the multifunction steering wheel. Of the driver-assist features, my favourite is the blind spot view projected onto the infotainment screen when you activate the indicator.

The old normally aspirated 2.0l petrol engine is no longer available and both variants of the new CR-V are powered by the carryover 1.5l petrol turbo from its predecessor, as before paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Outputs of 140kW and 240Nm provide reasonably punchy performance, and though some CVTs can be horrible I found this gearbox to be one of the better exponents of the technology.

It doesn’t make the car drone on the open road, and has simulated gearshifts to feel like a regular auto gearbox, with paddles on the steering wheel if you want to shift manually. There is some “slipping clutch” effect when you floor the throttle but overall it’s a pleasant drivetrain that feels eager and refined.

The test vehicle averaged a frugal 7.8l/100km — not far off the factory-claimed 7.4l — though this included a lot of freeway driving over a weekend trip from Joburg to Dullstroom.

The car's blind spot is shown in the infotainment screen when changing lanes or turning. (DENIS DROPPA)

Along with a 15% stiffer body and updated underpinnings, the new CR-V has a retuned suspension system for a more comfortable ride over rough surfaces, combined with sportier handling. A revised dual-pinion electronic power steering system offers better feedback and improved straight-line stability.

The improved torsional rigidity stood out and the car feels as if it’s been carved from rock. This helps give it a very comfortable ride, particularly on scarred roads. The handling is clean too, though cornering prowess isn’t the first thing one looks for in an SUV.

As mentioned, the CR-V is more crossover than SUV as it’s only a front-wheel drive, compared to the old version which had an intelligent all-wheel drive system that transferred power between the front and rear axles to maximise traction. A useful 198mm ground clearance allows the new CR-V to climb pavements and tackle not-too-rough gravel, but it’s no off-road adventurer — a fact made clear by the wheelspin experienced when driving the test car up a steep gradient on a rutted dirt road.

The limited adventuring ability sticks in the throat when there are all-wheel drive rivals available for similar money or less, some of them with more space and power. As much as there is to like about the new Honda CR-V, there is little to justify its high price in a competitive segment.

Tech specs

Engine

Type: Four-cylinder petrol turbo
Capacity: 1.5l
Power: 140kW
Torque: 240Nm

Transmission

Type: Continuously variable automatic

Drivetrain

Type: Front-wheel drive

Performance

Top speed: n/a
0-100km/h: n/a
Fuel consumption: 7.4l/100km (claimed); 7.8l/100km (as tested)
Emissions: 177g/km

Standard features

Electronic stability control, ABS brakes, eight airbags, tyre pressure monitor, smart keyless entry with push button start, wireless smartphone charger, electrically adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, lane watch camera, rain sensor wipers, automatic headlights, parking camera, high beam assist, panoramic sunroof, infotainment system with Bluetooth, electric tail gate, climate control, head up display, navigation, front heated seats, lane change blind spot warning, hill descent control, LED daytime running lights

Cost of ownership