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The Honda CR-V has been a stalwart of the mid-size family SUV class for six generations now.
It was one of the early pioneers of the crossover SUV segment when it was first introduced to Australia in 1997 and, while today’s CR-V has grown in size (and price), it has stayed true to its core philosophy ever since.
It’s a spacious, family-friendly soft-roader with a car-like driving character, while keeping up with the latest in automotive technologies.
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That includes a fuel-saving hybrid powertrain in the range-topping CR-V RS e:HEV we’re testing here.
So, let’s take a look at the seven standout features of this flagship medium SUV.
1. Standard equipment
The RS e:HEV sits at the top of the Honda CR-V range, which includes seven different variants across four equipment grades, and it’s the only variant that comes with a hybrid powertrain.
As such, it costs the most at $59,990 drive-away, but it also comes loaded with the highest level of standard equipment including:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED automatic headlights
- Panoramic sunroof
- Powered tailgate
- Keyless entry and push-button start
- Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
- Power-adjustable front seats with heating
- Black leather-appointed trim
- 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
- 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Android Auto with Google Assistant
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- DAB+ digital radio
- Embedded satellite-navigation
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 12-speaker Bose audio system
- Wireless phone charger
- Active noise cancelling
- Honda Connect services and smartphone app
While the CR-V RS features a unique hybrid powertrain (which we’ll explain in more detail later), the rest of the range is powered by a conventional 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with the choice of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on the model.
For those on a tighter budget, the range kicks off at $41,900 drive-away for the entry-level VTi X+, and then steps up to the mid-range VTi L that costs $49,300 drive-away. In what is a rarity in the mid-size SUV segment, both of these variants can also be had with a three-row seating configuration for a total of seven seats.
The VTi L can also be had with all-wheel drive for $51,800 drive-away, while the VTi LX is exclusively offered with all-paw traction – and a similar level of kit to the RS – for $57,500 drive-away.
All prices for Honda models include on-road costs.
2. Spacious interior
One of the hallmark features of the CR-V that has remained true through all six generations is its clever use of space inside the cabin.
The latest-generation is no different, offering one of the most flexible and roomy interiors in its class, making it an ideal choice for growing families.
The overall design is relatively conservative compared to some of its newer, more flamboyant rivals, with a simple T-shaped dashboard that integrates the digital instrument cluster under a traditional cowl, while a tablet-style touchscreen for the infotainment system floats above the centre console, which itself houses a ‘normal’ gear selector behind a wireless charging pad and in front of twin cupholders. It’s all pretty standard stuff.
Except there’s a much higher degree of quality in Honda’s choice of materials than you’ll find in its alternatives, with soft-touch plastics that lend a sense of inconspicuous luxury throughout the cabin. And all the controls – including the myriad of buttons, knobs and toggles – feel more solid and precise than those in many competitors. It’s this element of build quality that justifies the CR-V’s premium pricetag.
But back to space. The CR-V is among the roomiest in the mid-size SUV category, offering excellent headroom all round, and above-average legroom for those in the back. The boot, which offers a generous 581 litres of capacity behind the second row, is also one of the largest in its class – and easily accessible thanks to the powered tailgate.
3. Clever rear seats
Apart from how much space there is in the back seat, the CR-V sets the benchmark for flexibility thanks to what Honda calls Magic Seats.
The second row can move forward and back to increase boot space or legroom, depending on requirements, and the seat backs can recline through three different settings. It also features a flip-down centre armrest with additional cupholders for added comfort and convenience.
As in many cars, the 60:40-split and folding arrangement allows for long items to be loaded while still maintaining seating for one or two occupants in the second row. Or both can be folded down to create a cavernous space that measures 1636L in capacity, and a fully flat floor.
Uniquely – and in the really magical part – the rear seat cushions can also flip upwards, allowing you to load taller items like pot plants, for example, in the back of the car. There’s nothing else like it.
4. Safety that works
Unlike some other mid-size SUV model ranges, in which high-spec model grades come with more safety equipment, all variants of the Honda CR-V are equipped with the same comprehensive suite of advanced crash avoidance and driver aids, including:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with forward collision warning
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Automated high beams
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Driver attention monitoring
All variants are also fitted with a full suite of nine airbags that cover all occupants in both five- and seven-seat configurations. Unusually in this class of vehicle, there are driver and front passenger knee bags as well as a centre airbag between the front seats to limit the potential injury from head clashes between the driver and front passenger in the event of a side impact.
And while it ticks plenty of boxes, the real difference between the CR-V and many of its cheaper rivals is clearly evident in how well integrated these safety systems are, to the point where the driver aids are almost invisible.
That’s not to say they don’t work. To the contrary, as functions like the adaptive cruise control, automated braking and lane keeping assistance are so effective that you only notice them when you really need them to intervene, which is exactly how they should operate.
Again, it’s engineering quality like this that further justifies the CR-V’s price premium.
5. Seamless hybrid
Similarly, what’s under the bonnet is more impressive in action than it is on paper.
The Honda CR-V RS e:HEV is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a continuously variable automatic transmission that incorporates a pair of electric motors to increase power and torque, and reduce fuel consumption.
The powertrain generates maximum combined outputs of 135kW of power and 335Nm of torque, and consumes a claimed average of 5.5L/100km, which are pretty standard figures for a hybrid-powered mid-size SUV.
But it delivers where it counts in the real world, offering an unrivalled level of sophistication in the management of its petrol and electric motors.
The e-CVT transmission uses the primary electric motor not just to get the car moving away from a standstill and assist under heavy acceleration, like other hybrid systems, but it can also switch off the petrol engine at cruising speeds for short periods of time.
And the second motor is used more like a generator to replenish the 1.1kWh battery pack while decelerating.
Sure, it’s not totally ground breaking stuff, but it is so seamless in switching between the two power sources that you can barely register when the petrol motor chimes in. Again, it’s the quality of Honda’s engineering expertise that shines through here.
6. Comfortable ride
That same level of refinement is carried through to the dynamic character of the CR-V, too.
No, it’s not as sporting as its RS nomenclature (which is often used as an acronym for Race Sport by other automakers including, most famously, Porsche) suggests. But it does drive exactly as you’d want and expect from a family runabout, offering surefooted handling, secure stability at highway speeds, and well-weighted steering with excellent on-centre feel.
In addition to that, it delivers a level of comfort that makes its effortless to drive, no matter whether you’re trekking along potholed roads through the urban jungle, making a long-distance family escape outside the city limits, or anything in between. It’s a well-sorted car for almost every scenario.
And, thanks to active noise cancelling technology which emits white noise through the audio system to counteract natural frequencies from wind and road noise entering the cabin, it is whisper-quiet at almost any speed, too.
7. Affordable servicing
While the CR-V RS e:HEV’s sticker price has some heavy lifting to do, Honda takes the sting out of the long-term ownership experience with one of the most affordable maintenance programs around, with five years of capped-price servicing that costs just $199 per annum.
On top of that, and like all Honda models, the CR-V has a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with free roadside assistance. That coverage can be extended to eight years at the end of the standard warranty period if the vehicle has been maintained within the Honda Service network and meets certain criteria.
CarExpert’s Take on the Honda CR-V RS e:HEV
So, there you have it… seven standout elements of the hybrid-powered Honda CR-V flagship, which all add up to create a benchmark family-friendly SUV.
Sure, it isn’t the most affordable in its class, which might take it out of contention for those on a tighter budget, but this is a car that really proves you get what you pay for.
And, in this particular case, its best qualities lay far beneath the surface, which should make it a rewarding and reliable family member for many years to come.