The new five-seat family SUV has moved upmarket, with the new Honda CR-V offering a more premium experience (and a larger interior). This is part of an effort to make the Japanese company’s range-topping SUV a posh alternative to models such as the BMW X3. It is reflected in prices that are significantly higher than the old model.
Alongside an evolved exterior design, the new CR-V is said to be more quiet and comfortable than before, with an interior offering improved quality and technology. Safety equipment has increased, too.
The new Honda CR-V will only be offered as a hybrid. Those looking to buy or lease the new Honda CR-V can choose between full hybrid (which is called e:HEV) or plug-in hybrid (e:PHEV) drivetrains. Both offer similar performance and driving experience – the difference is in how far they travel in pure EV guise. And, of course, the price…
Alongside an evolved exterior design, the new CR-V is said to be more quiet and comfortable than before, with an interior offering improved quality and technology. Safety equipment has increased, too.
The new Honda CR-V is now open for ordering in the UK. Deliveries are set to begin later this year. Your local dealer will be able to advise on specific timing.
New Honda CR-V prices start from £45,895. This is a significant hike over the outgoing car, reflecting the new model’s larger dimensions and more premium positioning. It also clears space for the new Honda ZR-V in the model line-up.
The entry-level new Honda CR-V is the e:HEV Elegance grade. This hybrid version is also available in Advance grade, for £48,995. The new Honda CR-V e:PHEV plug-in hybrid is offered in Advance Tech grade, with prices from £53,995.
In terms of rivals, the key competitor for the Honda CR-V is the Toyota RAV4. Another Japanese family-focused SUV, it's also available in both self-charging hybrid and plug-in hybrid form in Europe. There's also the Nissan Qashqai, now available with a fuel-saving e-Power hybrid system.
Further key family SUV rivals to the CR-V include the VW Tiguan, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson and Ford Kuga. But the old CR-V was available with a small third row of seats, meaning it also serves as a rival to the Skoda Kodiaq, Nissan X-Trail and Land Rover Discovery Sport. It remains to be seen if the new CR-V will get seven seats in Europe.
The new Honda CR-V isn't perhaps the most radical redesign over the outgoing model, but its gently evolved looks bring it into line with the latest Civic.
It's a simplified, smoother design language with less creases than before. There's a large front grille in black mesh, slimmer LED headlights and sportier lower intakes, and certain trim elements can be had in black or silver depending on trim level.
At the side there's a single high shoulder line moving front to back, plus rugged plastic body cladding around the wheel arches and sills. At the rear the L-shaped tail-lights are familiar from today's car, but with a gently evolved look overall. 18-inch wheels are standard on all models: they are grey on hybrid versions, black on plug-in hybrids.
More worthy of note is redesigned front pillars and door mirrors to "radically" improve forward visibility, plus an overall increase in dimensions. The new Honda CR-V is now 69mm longer (up to 4706mm), 10mm wider (up to 1866mm) and roughly the same height at 1692mm tall.
The wheelbase has grown by 41mm, which Honda says benefits passenger space and allows the CR-V to have the biggest boot in its history. It is up to 118% larger: 587 litres on the e:HEV Elegance, 579 litres on the e:HEV Advance (due to the Bose audio) and 617 litres on the e:PHEV (because its plug-in batteries are located under the floor).
The CR-V's cabin looks very similar in design to the latest Civic, and brings an uplift in quality feel and tactile switchgear. Honda claims the top dash panel has been designed to reduce windscreen reflections, while an air vent trim in honeycomb mesh spans the width of the dash. Honda has retained physical climate control switchgear for easy access.
Technology is probably the biggest leap forward. Every version of the CR-V will comes with part digital dials as standard with a 7.0-inch display. The infotainment screen runs entirely new software (thankfully), with 9.0-inch display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Equipment including wireless phone charging and, on all but base Elegance, a 12 speaker Bose sound system. All new Honda CR-V have a panoramic glass roof, with Advance adding a head-up display, power drivers seat and heated front seats. Advance Tech includes the clever Honda Parking Pilot system.
The new Honda CR-V will be offered as a full hybrid e:HEV and a plug-in hybrid e:PHEV. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder non-turbo Atkinson cycle engine (this is a more efficient type of combustion setup). It is backed up by two electric motors and an ultra-efficient CVT automatic gearbox.
Performance is similar for both versions, as both the engine and the electric motors produce the same 184ps power output. 0-62mph acceleration takes around 9.5 seconds.
The new Honda CR-V e:HEV averages 42.8mpg and has CO2 emissions from 151g/km. The new Honda CR-V e:PHEV has CO2 emissions from just 18g/km and officially averages a heady 353mpg – because it has a 17.7kWh rechargeable battery.
This generously-sized battery gives it a pure electric range of more than 50 miles before the engine starts up. Honda says it will take around 2.5 hours to recharge via a dedicated home wallbox.
There is a notable difference in terms of drive systems for the new Honda CR-V. The full hybrid version is all-wheel drive, while the plug-in hybrid is only two-wheel drive. Both versions can tow a 1500kg caravan and the e:PHEV has a special ‘Tow’ drive mode to help owners in low-grip surfaces.
Honda claims a big focus has been made on improving the CR-V's safety levels. A new body structure is said to better dissipate energy in a crash, while new generation airbags claim to reduce the chance of a severe brain injury. Knee and rear passenger side airbags are also standard for the first time.
Enhanced driver assists include a new wide-angle front camera and radar system for improved hazard recognition and automatic emergency braking. Blind spot monitoring is standard, while adaptive cruise control with low speed following and traffic jam assist, lane keep assist and traffic sign recognition are also offered.
If you like the idea of the new Honda CR-V but aren't prepared to wait, we'd recommend checking out the latest Hyundai Tucson. The impressive Korean family SUV is available with petrol, hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, plus it has a distinctive exterior design and a tech-laden, high quality cabin with plenty of space.
We have the latest 2023 new car news on upcoming models such as the new-generation Skoda Kodiaq, the head-turning new Hyundai Santa Fe and the stylish new Mercedes-Benz CLE.
We've yet to drive the new Honda CR-V that'll arrive later this year, but the current generation car is still a solid family SUV with a practical interior, a comfortable driving experience and hybrid power.
Honda claims the CR-V model name stands for "Comfortable Runabout Vehicle". It's been used since the mid-nineties, when the Mk1 CR-V was one of the first mainstream, road-biased family SUVs.
The new Honda CR-V might look like an evolution but it's all-new under the skin, with a new body structure to make it safer, a new hybrid system with more power and efficiency and greatly improved interior technology. It draws from features first seen in the acclaimed new Honda Civic.
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