Wapcar Automotive News – The CR-V is still a good midsize SUV with solid build quality and a comfortable ride.
Unparalleled comfort, impressive build quality and superb functionality reinforce the CR-V’s family-friendly qualities. Still, we think it’s a car that would benefit from a mid-life upgrade, given the aging infotainment system and nasty powertrain. The mid-size SUV segment is changing rapidly, and many competitors are now leaving the Honda CR-V 2023.
Honda’s fifth-generation CR-V has been on sale since 2018, and while it started with the 1.5 VTEC turbocharged petrol engine from the previous generation Civic, the CR-V is currently only available in a single variant. hybrid version.
While the current CR-V looks set to launch next year to make room for a new model (we’ve seen it launch in North America), the lineup still includes a number of trim options. to choose. The one we’re testing here is the top-of-the-range EX model, which has standard all-wheel drive to help it compete against its arch-rival, the Toyota RAV4.
While the CR-V EX may look no different from the model that landed more than four years ago (the North American facelift never made it to UK shores), this premium model has many impressive extras compared to the base model. S, mid-range SE and SR variants.
The panoramic sunroof, head-up display, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, wireless charging, hands-free trunk opening and 8-way power driver’s seat with memory function are all included. standard equipment. SR £36,580.
The CR-V remains the oldest model in Honda’s lineup, and it’s evident when you step inside. The overall layout is good, but it certainly lacks the wow factor that many competitors (especially the all-electric ones) bring. The 7-inch touchscreen seems a bit out of place in the dashboard – Civic’s latest 10.2-inch system would be welcome here, as will Honda’s new infotainment screen, because that’s where The CR-V really feels its age. It’s also not very responsive to input, and the current menu design looks particularly outdated.
Still, it’s hard to argue with the CR-V’s internal ergonomics. Each button is where you’d expect it to be, and they all feel pretty solid. The whole interior looks really good together, although some of the materials are a bit cheap. The head-up display is operated by a button next to the driver’s foot and it shows a slightly disappointing glass screen instead of a projection onto the windshield.
On the go, the CR-V is comfortable enough, but don’t expect dynamic driving to match the Ford Kuga. Honda has clearly prioritized comfort in the CR-V, which really shows on rougher roads. The soft suspension and extra sidewall tires handle bumps and bumps well, and the seats are extremely comfortable – contributing to the CR-V’s overall smoothness.
The downside to this comfort is that the CR-V lacks dynamic on the road. Even at low speeds, there’s noticeable vibration and subsidence if you’re too aggressive with your input, and it can sometimes feel a bit disconnected on twisty roads. Oddly enough, the CR-V’s steering feels very heavy and responsive – which sometimes just emphasizes the chassis’ lack of stability. At highway speeds, the whole car shifts to a comfortable ride. The driving position is excellent, with a low dash providing excellent visibility for the driver.
Brake regeneration can be adjusted using the paddles behind the steering wheel. There are four options and each option has a distinct difference in stopping power. There’s also the option of driving the CR-V in all-electric mode, but not that far thanks to the small electric motor.
The engine itself feels a bit weak at times. There’s 143 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine, which is combined with two electric motors to create a four-wheel drive system. The result is a driving experience quite similar to an electric car, with the CVT transmission providing smooth acceleration. Switch from Normal to Sport in driving modes and you’ll feel a little more throttle response but nothing more. Unfortunately, the CVT transmission also has a typical drone – it can feel like you’re waiting to shift when overtaking, and the lack of torque doesn’t help either. Even with all-wheel drive, a 0-60 mph time of 9.2 seconds can’t match the 8.8 seconds of the two-wheel drive model.
The top spec EX AWD is also inferior in terms of efficiency, with Honda claiming 39.2mpg compared to the two-wheel drive version’s 42.8mpg. CO2 emissions are also higher, at 126g/km compared to the 2WD’s 120g/km – much of this can be attributed to the AWD’s extra 57kg weight restriction with its powertrain.
Practicality is a real strength of the CR-V. While the 497-liter trunk size isn’t the best in its class, the rear seats can be folded flat for easier loading – a process further simplified by the surprisingly low trunk. The front trunk has plenty of storage and features useful for family trips, like minicab-esq rearview mirrors, while rear passengers enjoy heated outer seats, USB ports, and plenty of headroom and headroom.
