Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V at a glance

The CR-V ("Comfortable Runabout Vehicle" in Honda's marketing) started as a car-like SUV with a unibody and independent suspension at a time when many off-roaders still used separate frames. Every generation offers front-wheel drive or Honda's Real Time AWD, which sends torque to the rear wheels when the front ones slip. Five seats are standard, and some markets have offered seven.

The CR-V has been built at Sayama in Japan, Swindon in the UK, East Liberty, Ohio, and Greensburg, Indiana, in the US, Wuhan in China and plants across Southeast Asia. Honda's story is told in the history of Honda, and the brand's saloon counterpart is the Honda Accord.

Honda CR-V generations

First generation (1995–2001)

Based on the Civic platform, the first CR-V went on sale in Japan in October 1995 and in North America in February 1997. Its 2.0-litre B20B produced 128 hp, rising to about 147 hp with the B20Z in the 2000 update.

Second generation (2001–2006)

Launched on 13 November 2001 on the seventh-generation Civic platform, it added a 2.4-litre K24 for North America and, for Europe, the 2.2 i-CTDi diesel with 103 kW (140 PS), Honda's first diesel in the CR-V. Car and Driver named it Best Small SUV in 2002 and 2003.

Third generation (2006–2011)

The third CR-V replaced the side-hinged tailgate with a top-hinged liftgate and adopted a lower, sleeker body; it went on sale in the US in September 2006. Europe received a 2.0 petrol and the 2.2 diesel; the range was refreshed for 2010.

Fourth generation (2011–2016)

Shown at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, the fourth CR-V offered a 2.0 petrol with about 112 kW (150 hp) and, in Europe, the 2.2 i-DTEC with 110 kW (150 PS) and from 2013 the 1.6 i-DTEC with 88 kW (120 PS), the first front-wheel-drive diesel CR-V. The 2015 facelift brought a direct-injection engine with a CVT in North America and a nine-speed automatic for the 1.6 diesel in Europe.

Fifth generation (2016–2022)

Unveiled on 13 October 2016, the fifth CR-V moved to the Civic's global platform and dropped diesels in Europe. The 1.5 VTEC Turbo produced 127 kW (173 PS) and 220 Nm with a six-speed manual, or 142 kW (193 PS) and 243 Nm with the CVT; only the manual came with front-wheel drive. A 2.0 hybrid with about 135 kW (184 PS) arrived in early 2019, and a seven-seat option was offered on petrol models outside North America.

Sixth generation (2022 to today)

Unveiled on 12 July 2022 on the Honda Architecture platform of the eleventh-generation Civic, the current CR-V is longer and offers 1.5 Turbo, 2.0 e:HEV hybrid and, in Europe, e:PHEV plug-in hybrid versions. European cars have been shipped from the Dongfeng Honda plant in China since June 2023.

Engines and transmissions in Europe

European buyers chose between petrol, diesel and hybrid power depending on the generation:

• 2.0 i-VTEC petrol: about 110 kW (150 PS) in the third and fourth generations.
• 2.2 i-CTDi / i-DTEC diesel: 103–110 kW (140–150 PS).
• 1.6 i-DTEC diesel: 88 kW (120 PS) front-wheel drive or 118 kW (160 PS) AWD with a nine-speed automatic.
• 1.5 VTEC Turbo: 127 kW (173 PS) manual, 142 kW (193 PS) CVT.
• 2.0 i-MMD hybrid: about 135 kW (184 PS), single fixed gear, front-wheel drive or AWD.

Dimensions, interior and boot space

The CR-V has always been one of the roomiest cars in its class. The fifth generation's boot holds 561 litres (19.8 cu ft) with a two-position floor, and folding the rear seats creates a long, flat load area. Seven-seat fifth-generation cars have a smaller boot with all seats in use.

CR-V fuel economy and running costs

The 1.6 i-DTEC diesel and the 2.0 hybrid are the most economical CR-Vs in Europe; the 2.0 and 2.4 petrol engines with all-wheel drive use the most fuel. AWD versions use slightly more fuel than front-wheel-drive ones because of the extra weight and driveline losses.

Trims, equipment and prices

In Spain in September 2018, the fifth-generation CR-V cost from €29,900 (1.5 Turbo manual FWD, Comfort) to €43,900 (1.5 Turbo CVT AWD, Executive). Trims were Comfort, Elegance Navi, Lifestyle and Executive, and seven-seat versions cost €1,700 more. The Honda Sensing safety suite was standard across the range.

CR-V safety ratings

The fifth generation came with the Honda Sensing package as standard, including collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Euro NCAP awarded the CR-V Hybrid five stars in 2019. Older CR-Vs were rated under earlier, less strict protocols; the first generation scored only "marginal" in the US IIHS frontal offset test.

CR-V reliability and known faults

The CR-V has a strong reputation for durability, but each generation has weak points:

• First and second generations: rust on sills and rear arches is the main threat at this age.
• Third and fourth generations: diesels should come with a documented service history and regular oil changes.
• Fifth generation 1.5 Turbo: some cars in cold climates suffered oil dilution with fuel; Honda issued software updates in affected markets.

Rivals: how the CR-V compares

The CR-V's main rivals are the Toyota RAV4, the Nissan X-Trail, the Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga and Volkswagen Tiguan. It usually leads the class for cabin and boot space.