Honda CR-V 2019 is a worthy rival to the best in this class

Honda's fifth-generation CRV has evolved into a more sophisticated, smarter, sleeker and more efficient midsize SUV. It can certainly reach a wider audience

this

time around thanks to the availability of hybrid power or a new 1.5-litre VTEC petrol unit that can be ordered. With an optional 7-seat cabin configuration, Honda hopes you'll find it hard not to like it as a result. How do you write a

best

seller? This is Honda's answer, the fifth-generation version of a mid-size SUV, soft-road CRV model. It is said to be the most popular SUV in the world in the past. This hasn't been a contender that jumps out at you from the spec sheet.

Now you have to drive it. Use it. Fill it with family. Many of those experiences in doing just that probably won. Don't even look at the alternatives before replacing your second third or fourth generation CRV with

this

Mark five model; After all, according to its manufacturer, it at least offers an engineering depth that many other

rival

s simply don't have and always have. Since the original version of this compact recreational vehicle practically invented its segment in 1995 and subsequent models in 2002, 2007 and 2012 were increasingly sophisticated, this one was launched in the US in 2016, only arriving here at the end of the summer 2018, a delay perhaps related to the fact that models for our market are now assembled in Japan rather than, as before, in the UK, whatever the provenance, brand loyalty and reliable quality They will certainly be necessary if the CRV's success story is to continue in a market that is now full of tempting alternatives, well aware of this and that needs to ensure the attractiveness of a car that represents more than a quarter of its total sales in Europe.

Honda has put a lot of thought into what kind of crossover this CRV mark 5 model should be, as a result some pretty fundamental decisions have been made, one of which is key being the introduction of a 7-seat cabin configuration as an option for the first time, which is a change that allows this car to now cover both the C and D segments of the SUV market or whether it makes more sense to allow it to now compete with not only say a 5-seat Volkswagen Tiguan but also a 7-seat Volkswagen Tiguan, all the space, if you're happy to stick with five seats, you could be.

I'm interested in the news that Honda has brought back hybrid power of the plug-in petrol electric variety, a key option to keep the more frugal-minded people in the CRB group now that diesel has been ditched if you don't need this car is electrified. A pair of versions of a new 1.5-litre VTEC petrol unit will be offered which, like the 2-litre hybrid, can be had with or without all-wheel drive. In addition, a longer wheelbase frees up more interior space in a cabin that is now of much higher quality, as the Japanese manufacturer seeks to also position luxury versions of this car as credible alternatives for buyers currently looking for name-brand models. premium in this segment.

You'd expect them to have sleeker looks, stricter safety standards, and more equipment features, in other words. This CRV has improved its performance, but from what we're about to find out, Honda buyers tend to be loyal people with considerable faith in this engineering-led brand and they'll need that kind of trust to buy this. fifth-generation CRV, the company now tells you that small 1.5-liter gasoline engines are now enough to power a 1.7-tonne midsize SUV and that diesel power is a thing of the past despite almost all models Rivals in this segment still use it. Instead, a clever 2-litre petrol-electric hybrid unit is provided.

Part of the idea behind changes like this is, of course, to broaden this model's customer base, and as part of that, Honda knew it also had to offer a slightly sharper dynamic recipe this time around. It's not particularly necessary for a mid-size SUV of this type to offer truly precise handling, but previous CR-V models were somewhat vague in their responses when the road became twisty in a way that premium brand models in this segment That the Japanese manufacturer wants to aim now does not tend to be trying to improve things. This CRV Mark 5 model borrows technology from its 10th-generation Civic Hatcher and its stablemate, primarily an all-new, much stiffer compact overall platform and a nimble steering-assisted torque vectoring system that improves cornering traction.

Now speaking of traction, the brand has updated its 4x4 technology by introducing a more proactive real-time all-wheel drive with an intelligent control system that is optional or standard depending on the engine you choose, this configuration based on a multi-disc clutch with electrohydraulic drive that has been adjusted to send more torque through the system and can push up to 60% of it to the rear wheels when necessary. You probably don't expect these various upgrades to transform this car into something that can hold its own. with, say, a

rival

BMW SUV of similar size in the corners and you'd be right, but there's no doubt that the fifth-generation version of this Honda can carry more cornering speed than any of its predecessors, although you wouldn't necessarily know it.

Based purely on the level of steering feel and body control of this car, it's probably as good as it needs to be for its intended target market, but to be honest, we expected a little more. I previously referred to this model with a new 1.5-litre VTEC turbo petrol engine. Borrowed from the Civic as well, although the version of that unit used here is equipped with a smaller, more responsive turbocharger and features two states of tune developing 173 hp in combination with manual transmission or, as in this case, 193 CV combined with a belt. CVT driven automatic gearbox. This is the first time gasoline turbo power has been seen in a CRV and the goal here has been to maximize the benefits of forced induction without diluting the responsiveness advantages of the VTEC electronic valve timing control system that distinguishes Honda engines. .

Since the 90s, as with most smaller capacity turbocharged power plants of this type, this one doesn't offer much less than 2000 rpm, but above that the VTEC setup quickly revs up and offers throttle reaction. slightly faster and smoother pulling power levels than most. In rival units, there's still a fairly modest amount of torque. You have 220 Newton meters in the main 173 HP model, to give you an idea, the 150 HP 1.5 liter TSI unit found in rival Volkswagen Group models develops 250 Newton meters now, that means you tend to find yourself accelerating the low-end version of this Honda much more than you'd perhaps like to maintain something approaching reasonably rapid progress to 62 miles per hour from rest on a 173hp 1.5-litre VTEC CRV engine with all-wheel drive front that occupies 9.2 seconds on the 2,130 mile route. an hour headed by a smooth-shifting manual gearbox with all-wheel drive, the figures are only slightly affected with a slightly stronger torque level in the 193hp 1.5 vtec model I'm testing here, with 243 Newton meters being made.

I would hope he had the car. Feel a little more encouraged, in fact the opposite is true, mainly due to the non-negotiable CVT automatic transmission that must be matched to the engine in the state of tune. Honda says it has worked hard to try to brand the elastic band that sits on the belt. Boosted automatic boxes like this tend to generally express themselves after a sharp application of the accelerator with a momentary pause, then an increase in revs followed initially by a further not very discernible forward movement, unfortunately that type of reaction is still very evident here, although if you adopt the kind of relaxed, unhurried behavior that

best

suits this car you'll almost never notice, there are a couple of useful features designed into the CVT gearbox, although the early downshift during braking or EDD B increase engine speed to assist during braking and allow for faster acceleration. once you apply the accelerator again, similar is the quick shut-off function that maintains the engine revs in a situation where you have applied the accelerator and then quickly released it, as you might say if you have prepared to overtake a vehicle but then finds himself temporarily unable to complete it. the maneuver due to a vehicle in the adjacent lane in such a situation accelerates maintains the engine speed so that when you can restart the overtake you are immediately at the correct angle to be able to do so and when it is in the correct rev range there really is not much wrong With the performance of this particular variant, the increase from 30 to 70 miles per hour taking up a reasonable 8.4 seconds as a reference rest at 62 miles per hour in a 193 HP CRV 1.5 vtec, the derivative is only offered with traction total.

Driving takes ten dead seconds on the road at 124 miles per hour. I must tell you about the alternative hybrid version of this Honda which arguably represents a more complete CRV package if you can afford the significant price premium required thanks to a combination of electric. The Asian engine and a larger displacement two-litre Ivy Tech petrol engine, which together produced 315 Newton meters of torque, are more relaxed in this model, something that is further helped by the fact that the box is abandoned non-negotiable automatic transmission that must be had with hybrids in this case. CVT rubber band transmission for a proper fixed gear configuration that allows a direct connection between the moving parts for the time being.

Honda hasn't used its I MMD hybrid technology to offer a plug-in package to CRV hybrid buyers, but it's a pretty sophisticated setup. However, the combustion engine assisted by two electric motors, one for propulsion and the other to generate electricity that is stored in a lithium-ion battery depending on the road conditions and the way you want to drive, the powertrain It switches between three evie hybrid and engine-only modes in the The least efficient engine drive mode is the gasoline engine connected directly to the wheels, which is the setup you'd be in if you were to replicate this claimed variant, rest at 62 miles per hour , sprint time of around nine seconds or top speed of 112 miles per hour. hour for much longer, although it will use electric assistance to a greater or lesser extent in the hybrid, drive the engines there to supply power to the generator, which in turn supplies it to the propulsion motor, finally, in its easy configuration, this Honda Sea fully electric, although its operating range under milk float mobility when the battery is fully charged will be just 1.2 miles.

You can also use the paddles located behind the steering wheel to maximize engine brake energy regeneration, charge the battery faster, and increase the amount of time the battery lasts. The system can replace the gasoline engine. If we're talking about off-road capability, it might seem pretty useless given that the all-wheel drive system on offer here is intended for frosty mornings and muddy parking lots rather than trips to the desert. Although Honda wants us to note that lighter forest tracks are now more within the reach of the CR B thanks to a ground clearance increased by 35 millimeters. This time, this 1.5 Vtec all-wheel drive model sits 201 millimeters off the ground, a much higher stance than is common in this class and which Honda claims has been achieved without altering the car's center of gravity as usual.

In this segment the real time or all wheel drive system is one of those that sends traction to the front wheels almost all the time pushing the rear words. Only when a loss of traction is detected in that situation, there is no need to complicate things. With additional gear levers or buttons, everything is done for you is much more relevant, although, of course, the way this car drives on ordinary asphalt remains in its commuting comfort zone. and it's hard to imagine such a car that would be easier to live with. We're very impressed by the way the revised multi-link rear suspension smoothes out bumps, speed bumps and road undulations, and it's off the top of my head. a quieter car in this class Honda put enormous effort into minimizing noise intrusion with strategically placed body sealants, a recessed windshield and optimized aerodynamics, plus there's active noise cancellation that uses two microphones in the cabin to seek out car noise. engine and then cancels it.By creating precisely synchronized reverse phase audio signals through the stereo speakers, everything is more effective and the result is a beautifully fit-for-purpose machine when it comes to automotive design.

The more people you have to please, the less distinctive the end result is likely to be. It's apparently the world's favorite SUV, so plenty of people will have an opinion on what this fifth-generation CRV looks like. Most should be satisfied that there's plenty of chrome to please the transatlantic crowd, while wider arches and larger wheels edge closer to the car's extremities. helping to provide a bit more curb presence overall, although there's nothing too controversial here, perhaps that's how it should be the visual appeal of this car has always been understated, any feel is exactly the way Loyal customers like to look a little closer and, to be fair, a lot.

A lot of work has been done to update things: the full LED headlights that are now included across the range have been positioned clearly from a grille that is more open and now features a heavily chrome solid wing graphic. The solidly sculpted front bumper has a cleaner surface this time and frames a slim lower grille on the front apron, to either side of which are silver fog lamp bezels that incorporate additional LED lighting on the more luxurious variants, further up, The sharp contours of the hood direct the eye to a sleeker, recessed windshield; This time everything is a little more premium, which conforms to the required instructions and from the side, if you knew anything about Honda CRVs, you would probably recognize this as the last car in the line, the V-shaped curvature in the taillight is one of the signature touches of this model's line and The chrome-framed glass house looks very similar to the previous one, but there is more attitude thanks mainly to these more contoured rear haunches, the higher tortoise shoulder line and, As mentioned above, larger wheels that size range between 17 and 19 inches, we have 19 inches here, although the most significant aesthetic changes have come at the rear, you now get these LED lights that curve under the rear window and They are connected by this running solid chrome wing bar. the width of the tailgate between the lenses at the bottom is the sort of skid plate-style silver panel that SUV buyers expect to separate the exhaust pipes and, as you can see, it's been carefully contoured for better airflow.

Optimal, like this roof spoiler, can be subtle. but it contributes significantly to this CRV showing itself as the most aerodynamically efficient model in its segment, of course, as always, what is most important is what you can't see. This Mach 5 model sits on an adaptation of Honda's global compact platform originally developed for the 10th. Civic generation, this chassis is not only lighter than the previous generation model, but also has an ER torsional rigidity of 25% thanks to the incorporation of ultra-high-strength steel that now makes up 36% of the frame of the bodywork, which also facilitates a 35% improvement. In the overall flexural rigidity of the body, when it's time to take a seat behind the wheel, you'll notice the way this car offers the driver the seat at a very convenient hip point as you climb inside, an expansive stitched panel that runs the width of the cabin. crossed by a gloss black center section for the infotainment screen and ventilation controls that sits just above the raised shifter location, which is a typical CRV touch that allows the transmission controller to be more easily at hand. hand, there is almost everything you will need to use inside.

As usual with Honda, the ergonomic placement of the wheels, pedals and seat is almost impeccable, beyond the clear intention of the brand was to give this model Mart five or more a luxurious feel, hence these soft-touch plastics used around the upper areas of the dash and the stitched leather on the door. trims and silver highlights, it might be profitable for the company and the future to enlist the services of an interior stylist poached from one of the poorer manufacturers, someone who could point out that the fake plastic stitching and artificial wood trim are too Clear are not touches that are commonly tolerated by designers of premium brands.

Fortunately, there is the option to replace these faux grain panels with silver line aluminum style inserts. Many of the fixtures and fittings are borrowed from its 10th-generation Civic brands, including the instrument binnacle visible through the three-spoke wheel. One of those affairs that combine digital and analogue with stylized analogue temperature and fuel gauges flanking a central TFT LCD screen that offers a linear rev counter and a digital speed display above 100 calls, a content zone that can display information audio settings in select apps, plus things like Navigation Directions Information about the status of all-wheel drive systems and vehicle maintenance, simply click this thumb pad on the left spoke of the steering wheel to access what you want.

Another nearby button also lets you customize the information displayed on the front display, but that's standard only on the more expensive variant we're testing here, anything this instrument log monitor can't tell you will be covered by this display. 7-inch infotainment center, is a revised version of the Honda Connect setup introduced in later versions of the previous-generation model and If you can go beyond the base level, this setup is provided as standard, the navigation package Garmin satellite included isn't a big deal, but because there's also Apple Carplay connectivity and Android auto phone mirroring, you can skip it if you want and alternatively charge.

In something like Google Maps or forms, this 7-inch plug-in screen also includes Internet navigation capability, a reversing camera, and a da B audio system with at least eight speakers. You can also download your facial apps through Honda's app center and one of them comes preloaded with the system giving you access to thousands of audio stations covering everything from music to news podcasts and audiobooks, plus social media. and location-based services, so everything is fine or at least it would be if the screen selections weren't. slow to activate and the graphics were better at least although you do have a proper knob to operate the audio volume which is not the case with the version of this setup used in the Honda Civic, we miss the extra trip computer readout that is located above this screen on the previous generation model it doesn't provide much of that type of information through this connection configuration, but at least it doesn't try to manage the climate functionality on its own, the monitor is used as part of the ventilation control, but as mentioned above, the conventional climate dials and buttons have been retained just below.

Look further down the dash and you'll find an area below the shift lever that incorporates a 12-watt socket just in front of two cupholders. Storage options continue in the rear, courtesy of a box between the seats. The front features a sliding tray for your phone. Pull that tray back and you can access the HDMI point. The two USB sockets and the 12-volt port are located in the deep compartment just below. Pull out the tray completely and it will release it. a huge storage box that opens large enough to swallow, say, a laptop or a purse. Here's another little detail we like: the top sunglasses compartment incorporates a convex rear child's mirror so you can keep an eye on what the kids are doing in the back.

Not so great is the fact that Honda hasn't thought about cooling the reasonably sized glovebox or adding money clips to the sun visors. In addition, this compartment next to the driver's right knee does not have a lid, so we will probably deposit its contents in the footwell. The first time you throw the car into a roundabout, Honda says this compartmentalized door compartment is 48 percent longer this time, but it still seems quite narrow. What else? Well, if you come to this model fresh from its direct predecessor, you should feel it. Roomier here, there's five millimeters more headroom and sixteen millimeters more crash clearance than before, in terms of all-round visibility, thinner pillars and a lower bonnet certainly help that, when you look forward, There has been a reduction of 60 millimeters in the bodywork. driver's non-visible area Deep front side windows and large outside mirrors make it easy to see from the side to over-the-shoulder view.

The rear end could be better than cars that narrow the line of the rear windows instead of hiding obstacles you might be about to hit. Knock on each rear corner, that will be a problem if you opt for the entry level model which lacks rear parking sensors and reversing camera fitted to all higher range variants, okay let's take a look at the back seat, although this fifth generation model shares a lot. It has practically the same dimensions as its predecessor, the wheelbase, the space between the front and rear wheels has increased by 40 millimeters compared to the previous model, so it should be more spacious inside.

This wide-opening door will make it easier for parents to reach inside and buckle up. If you increase the child seats once seated, you'll find that, as promised, it really is very spacious back here, in fact by class standards, if you're struggling to justify the premium required for a CRV over what you pay for a slightly cheaper SUV that's cash or This is where you'll make it the size of a penthouse, rather than the relatively cramped conditions offered by models like that. There's room to stretch out a little here, courtesy of a 50 millimeter increase in legroom, this time helped further by the slim seat backs and the way you can easily slide your shoes under the chair in front of you. , there are 800 millimeters of legroom here to put that in class.

The possible arrival Master Sea Five would offer 730 millimeters, while even a slightly larger segment contender like the Coda Kodiak only giving 750 millimeters of headroom is good. Furthermore, even if you have a top variant like this equipped with a panoramic glass roof or at least it is in this five-door model, if you choose three rows of seats in this car, you will find that the necessary mechanism raises the seat height, which might be enough to see taller people positioned uncomfortably close to the headliner. There is one downside to this five-seat body style, namely that it lacks the reclining seat and seat base sliding features you get with the seventh-seat model, which will bother RV owners IF more. ancients who enjoyed these features in the past.

On the plus side, the prominent center transmission tunnel that impedes practicality in the rear of a Civic is replaced here with one that is relatively low even in this all-wheel-drive model, making it easier to accommodate three adults. if it needs to be revoked, get twin sent events in a CRV - no beep events. If there are only two of you, you can use this center armrest with its twin cup holders, seat back pockets, individual overhead reading lights. and a pair of USB ports are provided, plus this top variant has heated rear seats - the doors feature reasonably sized tiered bins and look well finished, although close inspection reveals the stitching they feature is both real and fake and end up with a Look at the boot but along the way make some observations about the extra cost of the 7-seat cabin configuration.

If you're thinking about selecting this option, keep in mind that this CRV is not one of those family SUVs that are big enough to carry adults. its third row of seats with a certain degree of comfort, for that you will need a more expensive model in this segment such as, for example, many Tiguan vans, all the space or height in these SantaFe, both cars are around 100 millimeters longer than this one , the rear folding plus chairs are well provided for children, but anyone over school age will probably beYou'll be complaining a lot if you can find them in the back of this car for any significant period of time, at least getting to the back of a seventh-seat CRV is helped by the way the second-row seats slide forward 150 millimeters To widen the entry opening and cargo area, most CRV customers will have to lift the tailgate themselves, only with this high-spec e.x variant is it electrically operated, in this case there is the option of opening it with a movement of your foot under the bumper if you find yourself reaching for your car key and pocket full of bags, plus you can easily adjust the height to which the hatch will raise if you are in a low-ceilinged garage or in a tight spot . multi-storey car park, once everything is open you will find that 561 liters of capacity are on offer with this five-seat 1.5 VTEC model, a statistic that is competitive with rivals in its class, courtesy of the largest boot ever offered in a CRV, 160 millimeters wider than Before, capacity drops to 497 liters with the hybrid model, all those batteries have to be located somewhere.

If you have a 7-seater and the third row seats are in use, you will only have 150 liters of space to play with and that figure is increasing. up to 472 liters with the third row seats folded forward anyway, with this five-seat CRV model with a conventional engine you get a very usable space thanks to only a small intrusion into the wheel arch, with access to the area through With the lowest loading sill in the segment now making it much easier to fit strollers and suitcases, there are deep recesses in each corner of the load compartment that widen it enough to house the boot cover when not in use, plus There is more space under the floor around the standard spare wheel than the hybrid and seventh-seat variants do not have space to include, there are four usual tie-down points, straps are provided on the right side and Honda has remembered to include a twelve volt outlet, they forgot to provide bag hooks. get a height-adjustable trunk floor;

We would also like to specify the strong and durable boot tray that your dealer can provide you to place on top. I would also like to consider the additional cross cargo package that allows you to subdivide the trunk area. If you need more space and have long, narrow items to accommodate, you'll be disappointed to find that Honda doesn't provide a ski hatch or a 40/20/40 split for the second area backrest, which would allow you to carry things like skis. . without disturbing a couple of people sitting in the back of a CRV, you'd have to fold down the second-row backrest for something like that, courtesy of nifty latches on the side walls of the cargo compartment - at least the one-handed process Flattening the 60/40 split rear bench is simple, the clever mechanism means the seat base slides forward as the backrest drops.

You can lift the seats with just one hand; Once you've flattened everything in this five-seat model, it frees up 1,756 liters of space if you go all the way to the roof, or 1,638 liters if your CRV is equipped with a panoramic glass roof like this one. Place the height-adjustable boot floor in its highest position and you'll get a completely level load floor – and there is one. One thousand eight hundred and thirty millimeters of loading length, which is two hundred and fifty millimeters more than the previous model, enough to accommodate a nineteen point five inch frame mountain bike apparently, unfortunately, there is no fold-flat front passenger seat option to allow interior transport of even longer items. in a hybrid CRV with the second row backrest folded, you're looking at a total capacity of 1,694 liters in a seven C model with the second and third rows folded, you're looking at a total capacity of 1,503 liters and With a load length of 1,800 millimeters, this fifth-generation CRV has positioned itself firmly at the top end of the mid-size C SUV segment's volume, so don't expect the sort of £20,000-plus price tag that characterizes the models. most affordable Qashqai class in this sector.

Honda asking prices started around £26,000, but buyers will most likely be looking for a price derived in the range of £29-34k and it's possible to pay over thirty-seven thousand pounds for one that really It's entering premium territory so let's break down the range a bit for you, there are three engines and a pair of conventional 1.5-litre VTEC turbos. Petrol units developing 173 or 193 hp plus a 2-litre non-plug-in petrol electric hybrid with a combined output of 184 hp and a starting price of around £29,000. There is no diesel system on the base 1.5-litre 173PS VTEC petrol models. They only come with a manual transmission, the 193 hp gasoline variants and the hybrids only come with an automatic in the entire line, there are four trim levels s se SR and, as in this case, II X, ok, so far You'll have to ignore the base S trim level.

If you want all-wheel drive, as many CRV buyers assume, and are considering the base petrol engine or hybrid, you'll be offered the opportunity to include all-wheel drive on your CRV for an extra £1,100. . how easy it is to reach 30,000 pounds with this car; You'll hit that figure if you spec this Honda with 7 seats, which isn't possible in a hybrid due to all the bulky battery technology with the 1.5-litre VTEC turbo petrol units. For some curious reason, the 7ck's sheet metal is only possible with an all-wheel drive variant for an extra £1,700, even though up to 20% of CRV buyers are expected to want three rows of seating in this car, otherwise need this feature, we can I really don't see why you would choose the more powerful 193bhp 1.5-litre VTEC turbo petrol model over the alternative hybrid.

This latest gas-electric option comes with a slight flight premium, only weighing around 800 pounds and is obviously considerably more efficient. Well done. If you're still with me now, we'll move on to something that will hopefully be a little simpler, namely how to see motorhome prices compare it to obvious mid-sized rivals, although that can't be that simple either because there are potentially Quite a few We'll get to the hybrid variants in a minute, but let's start by evaluating the 1.5-litre VTEC petrol offering. The base 173PS version of this unit with manual transmission is aimed at buyers who might be considering the top-spec version of the cheaper volume brand. segment SUV like Neeson's cash type or let's say it's Attica or maybe something a little more left like a Mitsubishi Eclipse cross, go for cars like those and you get more equipment for the money, but in a marginally smaller car and less powerful with a slightly lower class feel your call Whatever your perspective, the appeal of this Honda is obvious whether you're looking at a 1.5-litre VTEC petrol CRV with luxurious all-wheel drive trim or the perky 193 engine CV, then it is likely that the mid-size SUVs you will refer to this Honda with will be slightly more sophisticated volume brand models that are mainly sold in the £25,000 to £35,000 car range, for example, like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Rab Toyotas.

The closest alternative to VW is a 150 HP Tigran 1.4 TSI variant. which costs around a thousand pounds more than a directly comparable CRV, the two-litre Rev petrol equivalent costs more, and isn't as frugal as this 1.5-litre Honda; Other like-minded models in this segment with which they might be expected to compete tend to fall. By the way, when you look closely, a Master CX-5, for example, cannot be had with a gasoline engine and four-wheel drive. wheels, a Vauxhall Granlund such as Ford's Puma, Kia Sportage, and Tucson de los Andes, are considerably more expensive to drive if you're considering a luxury 1.5-litre VTEC five-seat version of this CRV and want to spend between £30-35k, So this Japanese brand also hopes that you will compare it with premium brand C-segment SUV models, such as the Volvo XC, 40 BMW, X 1, Audi SKU 3, the Jaguar, the Lexus UX and the Mercedes GLA, that's a bit more complicated, but this Honda offers more. rear seat room and luggage space than Pasha's competitors of that type, plus more equipment for your money, it all comes down to what you want if you're considering a seven-seat version of this Honda, in which case, As we said earlier, you should have the 1.5-litre VTEC engine, it will be a slightly different type of buyer, with slightly different alternative models in mind.

These will be what the industry calls D-segment SUV contenders. The mid-size models in this sector, large enough to accommodate three rows of seats. Popular models. These types include cars like the SCOTUS Kodiak, Scirocco and Volkswagen Tiguan packages, all space-equivalent versions of the Skoda and the package can save you up to a couple of thousand, but has less power and engine. Comment that also applies to the Tiguan, although that would only save you a fractional amount compared to an equivalent CRV. Other like-minded models in the segment that might be expected to compete with a seven-seat version of this car tend to fall by the wayside when their offerings are compared closely with those of this Honda.

For example, if you opted for seven seats in the Santa Fe or San iam Rexton, you couldn't have a gasoline engine. A conventional seven-seat petrol Mitsubishi Outlander would cost a lot more to run a seven-seat Peugeot 5008. have four-wheel drive and a Ford Edge or a Renault Coleus. Well, we are one of those who couldn't have seven seats or gasoline, let's finish with a few words about the different hybrid proposal that Honda offers here two CRVs. Bias now the best known hybrid in the medium segment is the mitsubishi outlander ph TV but it models a plug-in variant which is a technology that you cannot have in this Honda and has a very high price at thirty-seven thousand two forty-five. thousand pounds, so it's not really a directly relevant rival.

Midsize C-segment plug-in SUV models, such as the plug-in versions of the Kia Niro and Peugeot 3008, are priced more comparable to this Honda, but both are slightly smaller cars. Most directly comparable non-plug-in midsize hybrid SUVs, well, there are currently four. You could rule out a gasoline electric Lexus. You act pretty quickly, as it's much smaller inside than a CRV and the 48-valve mild hybrid models of the Kia Sportage and highly Tucson. Costs about the same as a CRV hybrid, you can't get it with gas power. The closest competition is provided by the 2.5-liter Toyota rav4 hybrid, but that car is a little more expensive than this Honda, congratulations if you've followed us through that whole comparison. things or engage in a bit of it yourself, if that's the case, then you'll probably come to the same conclusion as us, which is to say that although the CRV's price may initially seem a little high, it's actually being offered very thoughtfully for a pretty reasonable value when you take into account the type of product you're getting, if you've decided you want to buy this car you'll want to know how generous Honda has been with the standards, so let's take a look at that now. of what you probably really need is included even with the base trim level, so even base S models get 17-inch dusk-sensing alloy wheels, full LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, heated power mirrors and an alarm immobilizer inside, you get climate control. bluetooth for your phone driver's seat height and length adjustment cruise control with speed limiter and smart OneTouch folding rear seats There's also a 5-inch smart multi-information display from which you can control a quality 8-speaker Dav stereo system decent that includes USB and iPod connectivity plus a much broader package of camera-driven safety features than base versions of the previous model used to include more on that in a minute we're less interested in the wood cabin decor artificial clear, but Honda launched this car with a silver line, fortunately.

Turned aluminum style inserts are available as an alternative on five-seat models. You also get a space-saving standard spare wheel, which is surprisingly not always included on wheels of this type. Unfortunately, there is no space for it in the seven-seat variants. You can't have it. a spare wheel on the hybrid, although most buyersfrom CRV will begin to look at the line from the next higher trim level, as we suggested above, you need to be at least at this point in the range if you want to have the option of either all-wheel drive or 7 seats, the most important feature you will enjoy A CRV with a se finish compared to a base model is the seven-inch Honda Connect color infotainment touchscreen, which this time comes complete in all its forms with Garmin satellite navigation through Connect. screen you can also access the DAV tuner use Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring and download apps from the Honda App Center aha for internet radio comes preloaded into the system the standard rear parking camera you get with this trim level works outside This screen In addition, other now included specification features include larger 18-inch alloy wheels, front halogen fog lights, rain-sensing automatic wipers, leather for the steering wheel and gear lever, front and rear parking sensors and a Auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Five-seat SE models inevitably get an extra speaker for the audio system too, although of course the real niceties are found in the more luxurious models - if you can stretch the specs, standard equipment expands to include leather upholstery. leather, keyless entry, roof rails, privacy glass, ambient lighting and a windshield wiper de-icer. The front seats are heated and add lumbar support and height adjustment for the front passenger, while the front fog lights illuminate with LEDs and gain a cornering function. Finally, if you can get to the top of the range, you'll get an X-spec CRV. Like the one we're testing here, this flagship trim level is identified by 19-inch wheels and the inclusion of a roof. folding panoramic glass.

Other e^x features include a head-up display, a power tailgate with hands-free access and heated steering wheel and rear seat plus power front driver's seat adjustment with memory settings in two options beyond the ability to add traction total or with the 1.5 vtec petrol engine add seven seats, there are not many Honda prefers that buyers You should upgrade to a luxury trim level for additional items; However, there are a few things the brand hopes you'll want to consider to get started; You will almost certainly pay your dealer more for your color choice because it is the only one.

What comes standard is a solid rally red shade. Beyond that, there's a range of premium paint colors or you can pay even more for the bright Crystal Red paint we have here, for aesthetic considerations a couple of packages may be required at additional costs. If you're interested, you might want the Premium package that gives you body side protectors, door trim, front and rear fenders, and fancy-spec floor mats. There's also the Lighting package which gives you puddle lights and illuminated door trim or you can use the Arrow package which includes fancier lights. Arrow-style front and rear bumpers, tailgate spoiler and running boards (the latter, by the way, can be ordered separately).

The lower side sills, the rear bumper and the loading sill of the trunk can be decorated with silver moldings, as can the exterior mirrors. In addition, you can add an upper spoiler on the tailgate and wind deflectors on the side windows. There are also alternative 18- and 19-inch alloy wheel styling options for the interior. Front ambient lighting is available to bathe the front footwells in a cool blue hue. For practicality, a trailer can also be added. roof rack of course which comes with a 13 pin towing harness and there are roof rails available if the trim level you choose doesn't have them you will need them of course if you want the optional tool a roof box 410 liters or yes Opt for cross bars on the roof to store skis, snowboards or bicycles.

There is also a bike rack for the tailgate. 2 For the trunk, we'd probably look at the cargo package which gives you a bumper protector and a silver decorative trunk seal, plus a premium trunk organizer. which uses telescopic rails to subdivide the loading area, the three elements can be ordered separately, upon request, in addition to the trunk floor, a mat or a net can be added on a tray. In the cabin you can also order the usual mats for the backrests of the headrests of the front seats. You can add a hanger kit or a tablet holder kit to be able to attach iPads and the light so that the little ones can stay calm on longer trips.

Windshield cover to protect the windshield at night might also be of interest. Supports a kit and options. Let's take a look at the safety provisions. This time around, this is a real CRV strength thanks to the standard inclusion on all models of the Honda sensor package. camera has eight features to be exact that together make this possibly one of the safest cars in its sector. We'll explain how autonomous braking is quickly becoming a must-have inclusion in cars in this segment. Honda calls it setting up a collision mitigation braking system and as is usual with this sort of thing there is a camera that scans the road for potential accident hazards while driving, if it detects one you will be warned if you don't respond or He can not do it.

The brakes will be applied automatically to lessen the severity of any resulting accident. Also helping here is a forward collision warning system that lets you know if you're getting too close to the vehicle in front, which are two of Honda's camera-driven safety features installed in every CRV, what about the others? six? Lane Departure Warning Road departure mitigation and a lane keep assist system will help you stay within your lane on the highway; In addition, there is traffic sign recognition to view them when you pass and display them on the dashboard and an intelligent speed limiter to be set can adjust your speed to the limit indicated by the last speed sign you passed.

Finally, there is a speed control. intelligent adaptive cruise, a setting where you can only adapt your motorway speed to suit the prevailing traffic flow, but which can also react to other vehicles crossing in front of you, on top of all this, as you would expect from The basic concepts of safety features are adequately taken into account. The new highly rigid, strong and rigid platform incorporates what Honda calls AC II or Advanced Compatibility Engineering body design that uses a network of connected structural elements to distribute impact energy more evenly and reduce transferred forces. to the passenger compartment.

In the event of an impact, In addition, in the event of a crash, intelligent shock-absorbing technology uses a sleek hinge design in the front frame to direct the engine downward and into the rear woods, adding an additional 80 millimeters of Additional energy-absorbing protection at the front of the vehicle further helps minimize cabin intrusion; In other words, passenger safety in modern automotive design is about a lot more than just slapping on some airbags, but of course the CRV has those two bags in the front and in the curtain, although none are included. knee bag. Plus, you get all kinds of electronic acronyms to make sure you never have to use them.

There's a nimble driving assistance system to help you turn into corners and vehicle stability assist. Honda's version of the kind of ESC stability control system you now expect. Also par for the course in such a car is an ABS braking system configured with emergency brake assist to assist in panic stops announced to following motorists by automatically activating the brake and hazard warning lights. Other standard safety features include Hill Start Assist for stopping. skidding backwards at uphill junctions active front head restraints to minimize whiplash in the event of an accident and ISOFIX child seat attachments, plus a tire deflation warning system and a front section of the car designed to minimize pedestrian injuries , there is also an emergency call system that in the event of an accident will automatically alert rescue services with your exact GPS location, attach a tow bar and get trailer stability assist to reduce trailer sway to an even greater level if you skip the entry-level trim and opt for an automatic model that will come equipped with intelligent adaptive cruise control. a low speed follow function which, if you encounter a traffic jam on the road, will automatically slow down your typing if necessary to a complete stop and then move you seamlessly back up to your preset speed, if you want more you will need The more luxurious SR and e^x trim levels further expand Cameron's driving capabilities.

Blind spot information works on the move to prevent you from dangerously pulling out to overtake if there is a vehicle in your blind spot and the cross traffic monitor helps you know if vehicles are In theory, reducing the VTEC gasoline engine in the version This Honda's conventional 2 liter to 1.5 liter has to be good for efficiency in practice, we are not so sure, let's start with the official figures. which are undoubtedly much better than those of the equivalent 2-liter IV technological variant of the previous generation; that old 155hp unit, even when not supercharged by all-wheel drive, an automatic transmission could only manage 30 9.2mpg on the combined cycle and 168g/km of CO2, now the 1, 5 liters and 173 hp of this fifth generation CRV, on the other hand, offers forty-four point eight miles per gallon on the combined cycle, 143 g/km of CO2 with front-wheel drive or forty-two point eight miles per gallon. gallons and 151 grams per kilometer in all-wheel drive, guys, here we are testing this engine in its improved 193 HP version that must be had with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive and that delivers thirty-nine point eight miles per kilometer. gallons and 162g/km of Honda CO2 explain many engineering reasons why such efficiency improvements have been achieved, aside obviously from the smaller 1.5 liter engines, there is a dual VTC function which varies the timing of The intake and exhaust camshafts operate independently and continuously for optimized combustion and the exhaust valves are sodium field so they cool more easily, helping to create a leaner fuel mixture that reduces emissions. .

Sleek, class-leading aerodynamics are dented by an active grille louver system that sees air inlets beneath the chrome Honda badge on the nose open just enough to cool the engine and all-wheel drive systems have been revised so that when talk transfer to the rear wheels is not required, such as during high speed cruising, the rear wheels propeller shaft is disengaged. to reduce mechanical resistance everything sounds good until you take into account the fact that a small 1.5 liter engine with a relatively small tractive power of 220 Newton meters in the 173 HP model is asked to add 1 .7 tonnes of family SUV that inevitably This means that this power plant will generally work harder than optimal to achieve maximum efficiency and sure enough, we've had difficulty recording much more than around 32 miles per gallon during this test, no doubt on a longer, more relaxed road trip.

You may be closer to the types of figures in Honda quotes if this concerns you. Your Honda dealer has a solution ready: the two-liter hybrid model that's bound to interest loyal CRV buyers who might otherwise be a little disgruntled to discover that. This time diesel has been abandoned to adapt to the prevailing zeitgeist. The I MMD, which is an intelligent multi-mode hybrid driving technology, has been used before on the brand's US-market Accord and Odyssey models, but this CRV Mark 5 is the first of the company's European-market cars to get it. . and will be a key contributor in the company's plan for 2/3 of its total sales to be electrified models by 2025.

In this way, the I MMD hybrid technology does not offer a plug-in package, butIt is certainly much more sophisticated. that what was provided the last time Honda sold a gasoline electric model in our market the idea that stopped production in 2014 in the electrified CRV you get a 2-liter VTEC engine headed by two electric motors, one for propulsion and one to generate electricity which is stored in a lithium ion battery depending on the road conditions and the way you want to drive the engine switches between three hybrid Evie and engine only modes in the least efficient engine driving mode, the gasoline engine is connected directly to the wheels in hybrid driving.

The engine is said to supply power to the generator, which in turn supplies it to the propulsion motor. Finally, if you upgrade to Evie, this Honda will be all-electric, although its operating range with milk float mobility when the battery is fully charged will be just 1.2 miles. Don't be put off by the loss that, if you're a potential hybrid CRV customer, the clever way the I MMD constantly sets up electrification means that if you're careful with the throttle in the real world, this Honda will run entirely electrically from About 80% of the time when you're in the city and even more than 40% of the time when cruising at 40 miles per hour, even at 62 miles per hour, you'll be clicking through all modes for about 1/3 of the time.

You can also use paddles provided behind the steering wheel to maximize engine braking energy regeneration, thereby charging the battery faster and increasing the amount of time the system can disconnect from gasoline power, all of which could allow it to improve on the rather conservative official efficiency figures that Honda cites. For the two-wheel drive hybrid model, you're looking at fifty-three point three miles per gallon on the combined cycle and 120g/km CO2 for the all-wheel drive hybrid, which most customers will choose the stats of 51, 4 mass per gallon with 126 grams per kilometer as a reference, the most comparable diesel model in the range of the previous generation, the 1.6 liter idtech 160 HP with manual gearbox or all-wheel drive.

Aaron's achieved fifty-five point four miles per gallon on the combined cycle and 125 grams per kilometer of CO2. Factor in the cheaper cost of petrol and it will probably be true to say that this hybrid is as cheap to run as the old diesel model; in fact, it will be even more so if you take into account the taxes on cheaper benefits in kind, so if you are worried about changing cars you really use the advantageous diesel efficiency as an excuse, now if all this is enough to justify the price difference of Three thousand pound initial list between a 173hp CRV 1.5 vtec model and a hybrid version is another matter, of course, if your annual mileage is relatively low it may not be the powertrain that CRV owners decide on.

Honda provides a number of driving tools to help you maximize the possible performances; Of course, there's an engine start/stop system, too, in the trip computer section of the vehicle's information center. On the Honda Connect screen there are current driving and previous driving readings, plus average fuel economy and range readings along with a history section, all of which allows you to better track your efforts toward frugality, as with the previous model there is also an economy button on the dash when this is activated, a green leaf display appears in the instrument cluster and fuel economy is improved through automatic improvements in throttle response, the engine control system and air conditioning While driving with the economy setting activated, a super-thin strip above the rev counter illuminates in a series of colors to indicate whether your driving style is conducive to maximum efficiency.

If the car is driven economically, the strip becomes illuminates green slightly exceed the optimal level of throttle control and the strip will illuminate white and green and during strong acceleration and deceleration it will glow white, of course, the overall running costs do not refer only to the fuel and CO2 readings ; There is much more to consider, the extent of expected depreciation for example, the good news here is that this fifth generation model maintains its value impressively, as a result the Honda is among the best in this sector with a residual value 40% after three years and 60,000 miles for the 1.5 VTEC PX variant I'm testing here and which is much better competitive with rival models from premium brands than you'd get from most mid-volume manufacturers.

Now sized SUVs can offset to some extent insurance costs that may be a little higher than their rivals. A five-seat CRV 1.5 vtec model has an insurance rating of group 24 II or 25 II if you go for the top e ex back whatever. The driveline or version of this powertrain you choose with the 7c configuration, although most CRV 1.5 vtec models will be classified in group 25 II, in terms of warranty, it is the usual three-year package, for which in this case the coverage lasts up to 90,000 miles. Instead of the 60,000-mile limit imposed by most rivals, the service is carried out every 12,000 miles or once a year, depending on which comes first, and you can spread the cost of this with a fixed-price plan called five, which includes five years of maintenance and an extended warranty. for this period and roadside assistance coverage in case something unexpected happens, it's easy to imagine yourself as the target market for a car like this CRV, you have a couple of kids and an active lifestyle, you need to transport things and He has an aversion to large, boring models.

The thing is, while you also have an aversion to the kind of mid-size SUVs that that mentality would normally direct you toward, it's understandable that you might think they're all pretty pretentious and silly, but this car isn't, in fact. . a sensible segment like the family, lifestyle-oriented SUV motoring gets coverage for people who look at what a vehicle can do for them rather than what it says about them and the use you see has been the Overriding design parameter here, not avant-garde style, clever gadgets, irrelevant pin. shop driving or uselessly powerful engines, as a result it's extremely easy to live with the type of car you own and then wonder how you ever got by without it may not be a recipe for media headlines, but it's an approach that other brands They could certainly learn by explaining. why so many CRs are these bought by people who previously owned one these are people who wholeheartedly approve of the changes Honda has made to this 5th generation version the 7 seat option the hybrid engine the more spacious cabin all of these things should allow The CRV will reach beyond its traditional customer base, but other problems: It's intentionally underpriced compared to more affordable models in this segment.

The 1.5-litre VTEC petrol engine can be a bit breathless when you push it and we're not particularly impressed with the CVT. automatic gearbox combined with that unit, other contenders in this class are certainly more rewarding to drive, although few of them are more comfortable and refined. In short, we can see why so many global customers will accept nothing less than Honda's interpretation of what an SUV of this type should be and what is on offer this time is a model that could possibly interest many more, ultimately Ultimately, it remains distinctively different, distinctively CR-V, which ultimately might well be all it needs.