Honda CR-V Review 2026
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Honda CR-V Verdict
Excellent Hybrid model is the pick of the range. High quality and well finished interior. Usefully large boot. Very comfortable ride.
Infotainment system is frustrating and feels dated. List prices higher than previous CR-V. No seven-seat hybrid available.
Find out more about the Honda CR-V
Insurance Groups are between 23–24
On average it achieves 97% of the official MPG figure
The Honda CR-V has always been one of our favourite SUVs - and an easy car to recommend to people. While the 2018 model may not look massively different from before, there are actually some significant improvements that make this a big step up from its predecessor.
For starters, there's no diesel engine. Instead there's one petrol or a hybrid version. Honda is of course no stranger to hybrid power, but this is the first time it has featured in the CR-V. And the results are hugely impressive. So much so that the CR-V Hybrid is one of the best SUVs around, regardless of the engine type.
Honda has succeeded in making a practical and spacious SUV that has genuine performance but is also enjoyable to drive yet comfortable. And all that in a package that includes a hybrid system. Sounds too good to be true? Well it's not - the CR-V Hybrid is genuinely an excellent SUV.
The downside is the price. List prices for the Hybrid start at more than £30k - that's around £4000 more than the standard 1.5 VTEC petrol. There's also no seven-seat option with the Hybrid as there is with the petrol. But if you compare the Hybrid with the RAV4, it's very competitively priced.
If you can't stretch to the Hybrid, the 1.5 VTEC petrol is still a good choice with decent performance and the choice of manual or a CVT automatic gearbox. Claimed economy is reasonable in the 2WD but drops below 40mpg if you go for the 4WD.
Regardless of engine, the CR-V drives well with nicely weighted steering, little in the way of road noise and good stability in corners. Its forte is the ride quality which copes with rough and poor quality roads with ease. It makes for a very comfortable and relaxing car.
Honda hasn't just made the 2018 CR-V slightly better than before. The improvements throughout are all encompassing, so much so that this is now one of the best family SUVs money can buy.
Looking for a second opinion? Why not read heycar's Honda CR-V review.
Reviews for Honda CR-V's top 3 rivals
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Honda CR-V handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.5 i-VTEC to 2.0 i-DTEC 2WD
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 28–64 mpg
Honda is no stranger to hybrid technology, most recently with the Insight and the Jazz, but the CR-V Hybrid is a very different car to anything Honda has produced before.
It combines a 145PS 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol engine with a 184PS electric motor that also provides 315Nm of torque. That's standard hybrid stuff at first sight but the big difference is the gearbox.
Rather than use a conventional CVT, the kind you'd find with most hybrids, the CR-V has a clever single fixed-gear system, resulting in a smoother transfer of torque.
The result is like driving an EV for a lot of the time. You simply out the car in Drive and it effortlessly pulls away. At a 40mph cruise, the CR-V Hybrid will typically run in EV mode for more than half of the time. Push that up to 62mph and the EV power is used for around a third of the time.
The good thing is, that from behind the wheel, you don't have to be concerned about any of this. All you need to know is that the CR-V is easy, effortless and relaxing to drive. It's nigh on impossible to tell when the petrol engine kicks in, so quiet is the whole set-up.
Often with hybrids fitted with CVTs, you'll get that constant engine drone when accelerating. But that's not the case with the CR-V. In 90 per cent of your driving, you probably won't even notice the engine is there.
Sure, plant your foot to the floor and you'll get that engine whine, but the CR-V has so much pulling power, you rarely need to do that. In fact, it's surprisingly fast and from 30mph or 40mph will accelerate quickly up to motorway speeds.
Alongside the standard and Eco settings, there's a Sport mode which genuinely makes a big difference to the performance of the CR-V, giving it much more response and a considerably quicker turn of pace. There are paddles on the steering wheel but rather than changing gear, these let you adjust the car's rate of deceleration and regenerative braking.
Hybrid aside, the 1.5-litre petrol can be paired with a six-speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox, as well as two- or four-wheel drive. It does the job, feeling eager enough around town, although diesel rivals will feel more up to the job of transporting the entire family or lugging a caravan.
In terms of official economy, you're looking at between 50mpg and 55mpg for the Hybrid model and around 40mpg to 45mpg for the petrol, depending on gearbox and whether you go for two or four-wheel drive.
The CR-V may be a big SUV but it manages to balance ride comfort and handling ability very well. Don't get us wrong, this isn't a car you want to be throwing into corners, but with its well weighted and responsive steering, good levels of grip and solid body control, it corners very reassuringly. This is blended with an excellent ride quality which is comfortable and forgiving.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 i-VTEC | 43 mpg | 9.8 s | 151 g/km |
| 1.5 i-VTEC 2WD | 45 mpg | 9.3 s | 143 g/km |
| 1.5 i-VTEC CVT | 40 mpg | 10.0 s | 162 g/km |
| 1.6 i-DTEC 2WD | 64 mpg | 11.2 s | 115 g/km |
| 2.0 Hybrid | - | 8.6–9.2 s | 120–126 g/km |
| 2.0 Hybrid 2WD | - | 8.8 s | 120 g/km |
| 2.0 i-DTEC 2WD | 39 mpg | 10.0 s | 168 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Honda CR-V
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
97%
Real MPG
28–64 mpg
MPGs submitted
50
Honda CR-V interior
- Boot space is 497–1697 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4600–4605 mm |
| Width | 2095–2117 mm |
| Height | 1679–1689 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630–2663 mm |
For all the qualities of the Honda CR-V interior, the elephant in the room (or should that be cabin) is the infotainment system. This was a weak point in the previous CR-V and, despite improvements over time, it's still annoying to use and dated in this generation.
It's very much at odds with the quality feel of the rest of the CR-V. Compare it to the system used by Volkswagen and it's clunky and unintuitive. It's not a deal breaker, but it does stick out a bit like a sore thumb. True, it does have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but overall we'd expect something much slicker in a car launched in 2018.
Fortunately, the rest of the CR-V more than makes up for this. The build quality really shines through and the cabin is logically laid out with all the important controls easy to find. We're not convinced by the wooden trim across the dash though...
Honda has dropped the manual handbrake for an electric parking brake, which means more room on the centre console. In fact, the whole interior is more spacious than before helped by a longer wheelbase.
It's practical too with lots of useful storage areas - the huge box under the central armrest is great - plus larger door pockets and deep cup holders. The boot is close to 500 litres on the Hybrid model, but bigger by 60 litres on the petrol. The rear seats cleverly fold flat too, with a one handed operation.
Rear passenger room is excellent with loads of legroom, even with the front seats pushed all the way back. Headroom is generous, so it's ideal if you have fast growing teenagers. There's the option of a seven-seater on the petrol models, the rearmost seats folding flat into the floor when not needed.
Those in the back can also take advantage of two high-capacity USB charging ports at the back of the centre console - handy if the kids run out of battery on their iPads.
One mention must go to the impressive seats which are comfortable but supportive, making the CR-V ideal for motorway journeys or long road trips.
Standard equipment from launch:
S models come with Honda SENSING - Honda’s safety features which includes collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.
SE adds parking sensors and a rearview camera
SR comes with smart entry and start, leather interior and active cornering lights, plus blind spot warning and cross traffic monitoring,
EX further includes a heated steering wheel, head up display, hands free access power tailgate, heated rear seats and panoramic glass sunroof, blind spot warning and cross traffic monitoring.
Honda CR-V models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4600–4605 mm |
| Width | 2095–2117 mm |
| Height | 1679–1689 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630–2663 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1501–1740 kg |
| Boot Space | 497–1697 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 36000 miles |
| Servicing | 12500 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £26,515–£27,545 |
| Insurance Groups | 23–24 |
| Road Tax Bands | C–H |
| Official MPG | 33.6–64.2 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 5 |
Currently on sale
| SUV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.5 VTEC EX 5dr | - | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.5 VTEC EX CVT 5dr | - | 39.8 mpg | 10.0 s |
| 1.5 VTEC S 2WD 5dr | - | 44.8 mpg | 9.3 s |
| 1.5 VTEC SE 2WD 5dr | - | 44.8 mpg | 9.3 s |
| 1.5 VTEC SE 5dr | - | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.5 VTEC SE 7Seat 5dr | - | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.5 VTEC SE CVT 5dr | - | 39.8 mpg | 10.0 s |
| 1.5 VTEC SE CVT 7Seat 5dr | - | 39.8 mpg | 10.0 s |
| 1.5 VTEC SR 5dr | - | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.5 VTEC SR 7Seat 5dr | - | 42.8 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.5 VTEC SR CVT 5dr | - | 39.8 mpg | 10.0 s |
| 1.5 VTEC SR CVT 7Seat 5dr | - | 39.8 mpg | 10.0 s |
| 2.0 i-MMD Hybrid EX E-Cvt 5dr | - | - | 9.2 s |
| 2.0 i-MMD Hybrid S E-Cvt 2WD 5dr | - | - | 8.8 s |
| 2.0 i-MMD Hybrid SE E-Cvt 2WD 5dr | - | - | 8.8 s |
| 2.0 i-MMD Hybrid SE E-Cvt 5dr | - | - | 9.2 s |
| 2.0 i-MMD Hybrid SR E-Cvt 2WD 5dr | - | - | 8.8 s |
| 2.0 i-MMD Hybrid SR E-Cvt 5dr | - | - | 9.2 s |
| Sport Line i-MMD 184 2WD S/C eCVT Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 8.6 s |
On sale until November 2018
| SUV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6iDTEC S Plus 2WD 5dr | £27,545 | 64.2 mpg | 11.2 s |
| 2.0iVTEC S Plus 2WD 5dr | £26,515 | 39.2 mpg | 10.0 s |
Model History
- March 2018
- August 2018: Honda CR-V prices announced
- September 2018: Honda CR-V Hybrid launched
- November 2018: Honda reveals prices for CR-V Hybrid
- November 2020: Updated Honda CR-V Hybrid priced from £30,180
March 2018
The 2018 Honda CR-V has slightly larger exterior proportions than 2012-2018 model, and its longer wheelbase and wider stance enable a roomier interior.
4,586mm long x 1,849mm wide x 1,679mm high on 2,660mm wheelbase.
Wheel and Tyre Sizes:
17-inch with 235/65 R17 tyres
18-inch with 235/60 R18 tyres
19-inch with 235/55 R19 tyres
Space efficiency is highlighted by generous accommodation for all occupants, as well as a wider, deeper boot with a longer load bay. A new two-position boot floor enables a flat surface for loading larger items, while a Hands-Free Action power tailgate enables convenient loading access.
Features include height adjustable taligate opening to avoid contact with low ceilings, while cabin flexibility is boosted by a three-mode centre-console storage. Furthermore, new single-action ‘dive down’ 60:40 split-fold second-row seat backs enable faster, easier loading.
For the first time, petrol models of CR-V available from late 2018 with the option of seven seats. Where selected, the third row offers exceptional leg room and heel step height, as well as a 101-degree seat angle to ensure long-distance passenger comfort. Access to the third-row seats is also class-leading, thanks to a wide and low step-in aperture.
The all-new CR-V is available with Honda’s Intelligent Multi Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system, comprising a 2.0 litre i-VTEC Atkinson cycle petrol engine and two electric motors, to deliver real-world efficiency and effortless driveability. The i-MMD system does not use a conventional transmission – instead, a more compact unit has a single fixed-gear ratio, to create a direct connection between moving components and a smoother transfer of torque.
A 173PS 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO petrol engine providing strong performance and class-leading fuel economy, is also available with a six-speed manual gearbox and 2WD or 4WD. With a 193PS output 1.5 engine, CVT automatic transmission is tuned to deliver a more linear response. Manual has 220Nm torque; CVT has 243Nm.
The petrol and hybrid powertrains are front-wheel drive as standard, but both can be specified with Honda’s latest all-wheel drive technology – ‘Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System™’ – which gives the CR-V genuine all-terrain capability. Ground clearance has been increased by 38mm for all variants, up to a height of 208mm for the AWD petrol model.
The wheels have been repositioned further towards the corners of the car, increasing the length of the wheelbase by 40mm, and improving ground clearance by 40mm. This change to the wheelbase, alongside an increase in vehicle width of 35mm, has unlocked further space for occupants, while retaining the same overall length.
Front passengers benefit from a 5mm increase in headroom and 16mm more hip room. The tandem distance between front and rear passengers is further improved by 50mm, while a thinner fuel tank positioned ahead of the rear wheels benefits rear legroom by 50mm also.
The opening angle of the CR-V’s rear doors has increased by 6 degrees, which, combined with the increases in occupancy space provide easy entry and exit for passengers, and improved access for the fitment of child seats. A further highlight is the new ‘wrap around’ lower door sill, minimising the likelihood of dirt on clothes during passenger exit.
Petrol models of CR-V are available with the option of seven seats, in which all three seat rows have reclining seats, thus ensuring long-distance comfort for all passengers. Second-row seats slide back and forth by 150mm on the seven seater, to create a large entry aperture and a comfortable seating position in the back, even for adults. The third row seatbacks fold down and tumble forwards to provide a larger boot capacity when not required.
Boot capacity is also class leading, with the biggest ever loading bay ‘footprint’ in a CR-V. New single-action ‘dive down’ 60:40 split-fold seatbacks, combined with a two stage adjustable cargo floor at the rear of the car, can enable faster, easier loading and a completely flat surface for larger items right through to the second row seats when the cargo floor is in the upper position.
These improvements have created a load space with a maximum loading length of 1,830mm on the five seater (or 1800mm on the seven seater) – up a whole 250mm on the previous model CR-V, and big enough to accommodate a 19.5inch frame mountain bike. Another option for owners is to adjust the cargo floor into the lower position to provide a deeper rear boot space.
August 2018
Honda CR-V prices announced
The new CR-V will start from £25,995 for a 2WD manual S grade and top out at £36,455 for an AWD EX with CVT. 7-seaters are £1,700 more than 5-seaters. All have spare wheels.
Available in dealer showrooms from early September, the new CR-V follows the grading of the previous generation rising from the entry level S grade to SE, SR and finishing at the top of the range EX. The 1.5 i-VTEC petrol engine will come with a choice of two and all-wheel drive and in both manual transmission and CVT.
Standard across all grades is parking sensors and a rear view camera as well as Honda SENSING; Honda’s suite of safety features which includes collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. SR and EX will also feature blind spot warning and cross traffic monitoring, while the CVT version will feature low speed follow.
SR grade also adds smart entry and start, leather interior, active cornering lights and front windscreen de-icer; while EX further includes a heated steering wheel, head up display, hands free access power tailgate, heated rear seats and panoramic glass sunroof.
September 2018
Honda CR-V Hybrid launched
The CR-V Hybrid is equipped with an efficient 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, a powerful electric motor and a lithium ion battery pack. The maximum output is 184PS with torque of 315Nm.
Rather than using a conventional transmission, a single fixed-gear ratio creates a direct connection between moving components, resulting in a smoother transfer of torque. This format means Honda’s system is more refined than a planetary e-CVT typically found in other hybrid vehicles.
In most urban driving situations, the CR-V Hybrid will automatically transition between Hybrid Drive and EV Drive for optimum efficiency. In Hybrid Drive, excess power from the petrol engine can also be diverted to recharge the battery via the generator motor. The Engine Drive mode is the most efficient set-up for high-speed highway cruising.
The i-MMD system has been tuned to provide a linear feel through acceleration, with optimised calibration between throttle input and powertrain response, to ensure the engine noise matches the driver’s expectations.
Honda’s new CR-V Hybrid has a unique Vehicle Driver Information Interface (DII) screen that displays the current drive status and allows the driver to understand how the energy sources combine to power the vehicle. The readout shows the lithium-ion battery charge, a graphic of the current power flow, and the recharging status of the system.
November 2018
Honda reveals prices for CR-V Hybrid
Honda has released details of the grades, specification and pricing of the CR-V hybrid. Following the launch of the petrol version in the summer, the hybrid is expected in dealerships from February next year and will start from £29,105 for a 2WD S grade and top out at £37,255 for an AWD EX.
Available with five seats only in eCVT with a choice of two and all-wheel drive, the hybrid version of the CR-V follows the standard Honda grading rising from the entry level S to SE, SR and finishing at the top of the range EX.
As with the petrol version, standard across all grades is Honda SENSING; Honda’s suite of safety features which includes collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.
SE grade starts at £30,965 for the 2WD model and £31,200 for the 4WD, adding parking sensors and a rear view camera, while the SR (£32,580 and £33,680 for 2WD and 4WD models respectively) features smart entry and start, leather interior and active cornering lights.
The top-spec EX is only available as a 4WD model for £36,390. It comes with a heated steering wheel, head up display, hands free access power tailgate, heated rear seats and panoramic glass sunroof.
November 2020
Updated Honda CR-V Hybrid priced from £30,180
Available in dealerships from the start of December, the CR-V is now solely available as a hybrid and features a number of revisions and styling tweaks, inside and out.
Priced from £30,180, all models of the 2021 CR-V gain blue-ringed H badges and e:HEV nomenclature to highlight their electrified credentials. Other revisions include a new silver finish applied to key visual elements on the centre console, doors cards and dashboard accents. Other updates include a new 18” alloy wheel design for all grades and privacy glass from SE models upwards. The range topping EX grade CR-V also gains wireless smartphone charging for improved seamless connectivity.
Mechanically, the CR-V retains Honda's responsive and highly efficient advanced hybrid powertrain technology, which is built around two electric motors, an Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, and an innovative fixed-gear transmission.
On the WLTP combined cycle, this fuel-efficient hybrid system produces CO 2 emissions of just 151g/km and fuel economy of 42.2mpg on front-wheel drive models, and 161g/km and 39.2mpg for all-wheel drive models.
Further under skin revisions include tweaks to the suspension that has been retuned for more linear handling responses and to provide increased low longitudinal rigidity for optimised ride compliance. The Dual pinion variable-ratio electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering has been refined for improved low-speed manoeuvrability.
What to watch out for
Report that at extremely low temperatures (minus 20C - Minus 30C) in China, s ome 1.5 VTEC Turbo engines used primarily for short runs from cold were suffering from engine oil dilution with petrol, causing the level in the crankcase to rise and reducing engine lubrication. Honda's fix was to reprogramme the fuel delivery immediately after start-up in extremely cold conditions and to set the engine to heat up faster.
21-12-2019:Report of problem with two successive 2019 Honda CR-V hybrids. The first was rejected because of gearbox noise: a distinct rattle from nearside front in idle or drive. Worse when cold, but quieter when warm and not audible in the car. Not there when new, but appeared after 1k miles in both cases. First car diagnosed with gearbox fault and would cost to Honda £25k to replace. Rejected and new car supplied after much trouble and arguments with dealer/Honda UK. Now happening with the replacement CR-V hybrid and dealer told owner that 2 other CR-V hybrids have the same problem. Dealer reluctant to change gearbox even under warranty as it's a full week's work to change.
