“When
it to comes to savvy
motoring there’s
really no substitute
for an SUV. You can have compact
or full-blown 7-seaters, or you can
go Honda — who have finessed their
family-friendly
CR-V
down to the
perfect socially
acceptable size...”
THE LATEST GENERATION CR-V five-seater SUV comes with a fit-for-purpose
hybrid powerplant. Most importantly for many motorists, its fully self-charging
petrol-electric drivetrain guarantees absolutely no range anxiety. Plus, at
the same time, it has a satisfyingly low thirst for the unleaded that feeds
the combustion engine generating the electricity that powers the motor driving
the wheels.
With most new car buyers still wary of committing to an all-electric vehicle
— due to justifiable ongoing worries about not just range but also the
still unresolved charging infrastructure issue — full hybrids like the
e:HEV make perfect sense. Not just for the immediate present, but also for
the foreseeable future. For the record, Honda now also offers the CR-V with
a plug-in e:PHEV drivetrain.
Ease
of use aside, in one key respect the business of choosing a car hasn't changed
in the past hundred years — as ever, people buy and drive what they like
the look of. And when it comes to kerb appeal the CR-V doesn't disappoint, thanks
to its well-balanced high-riding estate-like body styling, bold, deep-grilled
nose and a tail treatment with instantly recognisable signature rear lights,
all of which ensure it's handsome from all angles. The kind of looks, you might
say, that are the automotive equivalent of good bone structure and will keep
it looking fresh long after you first drive it home.
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“CR-V
rear passengers
can be forgiven for
thinking they’ve got the
best seats in the house
— why wouldn’t they
when they too have
heated seats and limo-
like legroom.
Three can sit side-by-
side with no pinching,
and the flat floor
guarantees maximum
foot room for those
travelling in any of the
three back seats...”
|
Inner
space is the next most important box to tick, and here the CR-V scores highly.
Swing open a front door and settle in either of the supportive leather-clad
seats. They're well-padded and immediately comfortable and will slide back to
accommodate the longest-legged driver or passenger. Better still, headroom is
excellent and the wide cabin means a generous-sized central armrest big enough
for sharing, so no irritating elbow clashes either.
For personal storage there's a huge locker between the front seats capped by
the large sliding armrest, a practical glovebox, bottle-holding door bins, a
pair of cupholders, and a wireless charging bed for your smartphone. Those travelling
up front enjoy three-stage seat heating and power-operated seats with electric
seat-height and lumbar support adjustment for the driver, who also benefits
from a heated steering wheel rim. In addition to heating, both also have the
luxury of 'cool' ventilated seats for enhanced comfort in warmer weather.
Rear passengers can be forgiven for thinking they've got the best seats in the
house — why wouldn't they when they too have heated seats and limo-like
legroom. Three can sit side-by-side with no pinching, and the flat floor guarantees
maximum foot room for those travelling in any of the three back seats.
For passengers who welcome to the kiss of the sun on their faces, or simply
enjoy ever-changing sky views, the panoramic glass roof is a blessing. Prefer
cool 'n' shady? No problem: the powered sunblind blocks out the sun in seconds.
Other likes include 'stadium' seats that sit you higher than the driver and
front passenger, long and deep side windows for taking in the scenery, large
front seatback pouches, bottle-holding door bins, cupholders integrated in the
well-padded drop-down centre armrest, comfy outer armrests, central air vents
and USB Type-C charging ports.
Access is easy-peasy courtesy of the large, wide opening doors — consequently,
minimal physical effort is called for when fitting a child seat and getting
its user in and out again. There's plenty of flexibility, too, thanks to 60:40-split
rear seats that slide backwards or forwards to maximise leg room or boot space.
Headroom is also generous in the back, and the reclining rear backrests have
multiple settings.
So wherever you're sitting in a CR-V you'll enjoy excellent views out through
the large windows and screens, plenty of light including from the full-length
panoramic glass roof, and that satisfying sense of riding high that comes from
this family-friendly SUV's lofty seating positions. All of this is, of course,
splendid news for the driver — if you have other people riding in your
car with you it's so much better if they're happy and singing the car's praises.
As they surely will be in a CR-V.
For
the driver, the cabin's spaciousness is just one of many pleasing aspects of
this Honda SUV. Principal among these is how easy it is to set a perfect driving
position and get genuinely comfortable behind the wheel; and that 'master and
commander' driving position, underscored by extensive all-round visibility and
intuitive controls, earns a big thumbs up. Add in a good-to-grip, logically
laid out multifunction steering wheel, and the ability to accurately place the
CR-V in traffic or when pressing on along country lanes.
Parking
is a breeze thanks to front and rear sensors and a 360-degree view rear-looking
camera. And if you're a die-hard look-over-your-shoulder kind of driver when
reversing, you'll be pleased to know that the large rear-side and tail glazing
support this too. Or you could simply engage the on-board Parking Pilot and
let it do the job for you.
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“Thanks
to front and rear
sensors and a 360-degree
view rear-looking camera,
reversing is easy.
And if you’re a die-hard
look-over-your-shoulder
kind of parker, you’ll be
pleased to know that the
large rear-side and tail
glazing support this too.
Or you could just
engage the on-board
Parking Pilot and let it
do it for you...”
|
Comms
are well-specced with a sharp and easy-to-read customisable 10.2-inch digital
driver's display backed up with a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen set high on
the fascia — conveniently, the shortcut buttons are the physical kind and
straightforward to use on the move. A drop-down overhead glasses case keeps
your Ray-Bans safe and, cleverly, also incorporates a wide-angle mirror so you
can check your rear seat passengers are properly (and legally) belted-up —
helpful if you're carrying youngsters in the back.
The
Garmin 3D SatNav, part of Honda's foolproof Connect infotainment package, is
built-in, trustworthy, and can be relied upon to get you to your destination
with clear and timely spoken directions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are
installed as is DAB digital radio plus a 12-speaker Bose sound system, eCall
emergency response, a brilliant head-up display (showing posted and actual road
speeds as well as graphic navigation prompts) and plenty of USB charging ports.
And three cheers for the dedicated two-zone climate control panel with proper
knobs and buttons — so much simpler and less distracting to operate than
stabbing at a screen when driving.
So spacious, inviting, liveable and a tastefully decked out cabin with driver-friendly
controls and comprehensive kit-list. But how does the CR-V drive? In a word:
fluently.
Along with its 181bhp/247lb ft electric motor, the e:HEV hybrid also makes use
of a 2.0-litre 146bhp four-cylinder petrol engine. Acceleration off the line
to 62mph takes 9.5 seconds and the top speed is 116mph. Officially, the combined
fuel consumption is 42.8mpg. That noted, a week's hard driving in the real world,
including a six-hour drive on congested motorways from Devon to Kent plus plenty
of running around over urban blacktop saw our CR-V post an overall test average
of 48.6mpg. Note that with a full tank the CR-V has a commendable driving range
of 596 miles.
Despite phone 'smarts', when it comes to their cars a lot of people are tech-shy
— nothing wrong with that. For those who are interested, most of the time
the CR-V's full hybrid powertrain uses its 2.0-litre petrol engine not as a
primary driver but as a generator to power the electric motor via the on-board
battery pack.
Using the e:HEV's autobox is a no-brainer and operated by four push buttons
— P, R, N, D/B — sited exactly where a regular selector lever would
go. The D/B button, in case you're wondering, toggles the transmission between
standard Drive and Brake mode, which increases regenerative braking. There's
also a choice of Sport, ECON, Normal and Snow driving programs.
The
paddle-shifters on the steering wheel are not, as you might expect, for shifting
gears, but are used to manually set the level of regenerative braking. Much
like the engine braking in a traditional car, increasing regen braking lets
you slow down more or less without using the brake pedal, making it ideal for
descending steep downhill sections or in stop-and-go traffic to recapture extra
energy for the battery pack. You don't have to use it, but it's reassuring to
have and adds extra driving engagement, particularly when pressing on along
winding back roads.
Behind the scenes the hybrid drivetrain cycles between full Electric Vehicle
mode (engine off with the battery solely powering the motor to provide super-quiet
and low-emissions driving); Hybrid mode (engine running charging the battery);
and Engine mode (where a lock-up clutch is enabled so the engine can directly
drive the wheels). Because the electric motor delivers the power most of the
time the CR-V feels more like a pure EV, reacting eagerly to your right foot
with a seamless stream of acceleration.
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“The
handsfree powered tailgate opens/closes
from the cabin
as well as
the key fob, and there’s
a kick sensor if you’re
standing by the boot with
an armful of shopping.
The boot will swallow
more carry-on cases than
you can count on one
hand.
When you’re done, just
tap a button and the Walk
Away Close feature
shuts the tailgate and
locks your car as you
leave it...”
|
Larger
family SUVs are not always as nimble as their owners might wish, but the CR-V
cuts the mustard. Its driving dynamics, backed up by all-wheel drive, are reassuring,
and combined with precise steering and well-controlled body lean, serve up a
nicely 'tied down' feel whatever your driving style.
Driver and passengers alike will appreciate the well-judged balance between
comfort and handling that makes the CR-V a fluent mile-eating five-seater. And
not just for pootling around the houses (where you'll appreciate the way it
filters out raggedy tarmac and potholes) but especially for taking the tedium
out of tiring motorway journeys.
Raise the handsfree powered tailgate (it opens/closes from the dash as well
as the key fob, and there's a kick sensor if you're standing by the boot with
an armful of shopping) and you'll be surprised at the size of the CR-V's regular-shaped
boot — 579 litres (that's more carry-on cases than you can count on one
hand).
The functional heavy duty boot liner is swiftly removed for a hose-down and
is a boon for those with a need to carry anything mucky, including the family's
four- legged friend. Then, when you're done, just tap a button and the Walk
Away Close feature shuts the tailgate and securely locks your car as you leave
it. Simples!
Fold down the rear seats and there's more good news: cargo capacity maxes out
to an uber-practical 1,643 litres. A clever touch: as the backrests drop down,
their bases simultaneously sink lower into the floor so not only do the folded
seatbacks sit truly flat, but the resulting load space is taller. Having no
lip at the end of the boot floor makes loading long or heavy items hassle-free.
Finally, should you need to tow a trailer, the CR-V hybrid is good for a braked
750kg with roof rails for any overspill.
CR-V Advance spec models come with satisfyingly bulletproof build quality, upscale
trim and leather upholstery plus all the bells and whistles. The many premium
features include wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone automatic climate control,
power-folding/heated door mirrors, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated
front and rear seats, 8-way electrically adjustable driver's seat with two-setting
memory function, powered 4-way passenger seat, ventilated front seats, and the
handsfree powered tailgate with kick sensor and 'walk away close' function.
The list continues with a Bose 12-speaker premium sound system, Honda CONNECT
infotainment and SatNav with a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and
wired Android Auto, DAB+ radio and Bluetooth connectivity, multiple USB ports
for charging and data, including two rear USB-C ports, head-up display, keyless
entry and locking, keyless Start, tinted and privacy glass, panoramic two-section
glass roof (with powered fully-sliding front section and blackout sunblind),
one-shot electric windows, electric parking brake with auto-hold, height-adjustable
seatbelts, front and rear ambient lighting, windscreen wiper de-icing and a
set of rather sporty 18-inch alloy wheels.
You also get all-wheel drive and Honda's SENSING 360. This comprehensive suite
of Advanced Driver Assistance Technologies includes automatic emergency braking
with Collison Mitigation Brake System, 11 airbags (front, side, curtain, driver's
knee and front-centre), blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic monitoring front
and rear, Active Lane Change Assist, Cornering Speed Assist, Low-Speed Following,
Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limiter, Traffic Sign Recognition, LaneWatch
camera system, driver attention monitoring, 360° multi-view camera system, parking
sensors front and rear, and Honda's Parking Pilot automatic parking assist.
The CR-V was awarded Euro NCAP's maximum five stars for safety. Also fitted
are Adaptive Driving Beam LED headlights with auto-switching that let you drive
with the brightest light for longer, all without dazzling other drivers. LED
taillights, sequential front turn signals and Active Cornering Lights are also
standard.
Choosing a CR-V hybrid is an easy decision. Impressive fuel economy for a family-sized
automatic four-wheel drive SUV, an inviting cabin that puts you instantly at
ease, effortless driveability, and it's comfortable, practical and spacious
and above all happy to perform a variety of roles with unruffled flair. No surprise
we were extremely reluctant to hand it back — as you'll discover when you
drive one! ~ MotorBar
.
Honda CR-V 2.0i-MMD e:HEV Advance
| £51,195
Maximum speed: 116mph | 0-62mph: 9.5 seconds | Test Average: 48.6mpg
Power:181bhp | Torque: 247lb ft | CO2: 129g/km
.
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