Buying a Used Honda CR-V (2012-17)

Honda in 1995 took a gamble and replaced its odd-looking Civic Shuttle with the tall and slightly less awkward CR-V.

Local CR-Vs arrived in late 1997, using a 2.0-litre, 94kW DOHC engine with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The body design is best described as ‘distinctive’, with rear lights climbing the pillars either side of the tailgate, tall windows and huge black plastic bumpers.

The original design survived only until 1999, when the nose was reshaped and the size of the rear bar was reduced. In Australia, CR-V Sport versions had body-colour bumpers.

Rapidly growing CR-V sales predated future popularity of the small station wagons we now know as compact SUVs. By 2000 Honda was outselling every model in the All-Terrain Wagon segment except Toyota’s LandCruiser, and stealing sales from conventional passenger cars.

Improved equipment levels added weight and by 2001 the CR-V qualified for a bigger 2.4-litre engine and 118kW. Then followed a 2004 update with minor styling changes, bigger wheels and a price decrease.

By 2005 the market for models in the booming Sport Utility Vehicle market had changed. CR-Vs with 8844 sales for the year still held a respectable 11.8 per cent share of the segment but sales had fallen behind the market-leading Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-TRAIL and Subaru Forester.

Third-generation CR-Vs appeared overseas late in 2006 and here during February 2007. Power from the 2.4-litre engine hit 125kW and during 2008 the slow-selling six-speed manual was withdrawn.

Prior to 2012 all Australian-specification CR-Vs had All Wheel Drive capability, but for the 2013 model year model, four-cylinder versions with a 2.0-litre engine were added.

Styling changes accompanied the introduction in late 2012 of the fourth-generation CR-V. This was followed a few months later by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel version, with manual or automatic transmission.

Honda’s next major change came in 2017 with announcement of the fifth-generation CR-V. Again there were styling changes, but other significant improvements including a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and hands-free tailgate operation.

Buying a Used Honda CR-V (2012-17) – Common faults found by Redbook Inspect 

Honda CR-V (2012-17) – Overview of updates, engines and equipment 

Honda’s fourth-generation CR-V hit Australian showrooms shortly after its November 2012 launch, with the big news being that at last there was a front-wheel drive version. 

These were designated VTi or VTi Navigator and began with a six-speed manual at $27,490 (plus on-road costs). The Navigator was five-speed auto only with integrated GPS and priced at an equally enticing $29,790.  Features at this level included a reversing camera, rear air-con outlets, folding exterior mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels. 

Front-drive CR-Vs were offered only with 2.0-litre, 114kW engines, but heading into the more familiar All-Wheel Drive format, engine size grew to 2.4 litres. Least expensive of these, at $32,790, was the five-speed automatic VTi. 

Petrol-powered AWDs came only in automatic form but with plenty of power (140kW) and torque (222Nm) for towing or attacking mildly challenging off-road tasks. 

Higher up the AWD range came two higher specification versions, designated VTi-S and VTi-L, which started at $36,290. 

In VTi-S form, these offered an improved sound system, rear parking sensors, remote window activation and automatic wipers. 

Spend $42,290 on a VTi-L (for Luxury) and rightful expectations of improved equipment levels were realised. The leather trimmed VTi-L seats were heated and electrically adjustable at the front. Above them was an electric sunroof, air-con was dual-zone and driver assistance extended to include front and rear parking sensors.

The headlights dipped automatically and ‘saw’ around corners, wipers sensed the arrival of rain and the road wheels were 18-inch alloys with a full-sized spare. 

The next major change from mid-2013 was availability of a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, with manual but more usually an automatic transmission. 

These were added to the Australian range in February 2013 and the six-speed manual cost $38,290. Other diesel CR-Vs, designated DTi-S and DTi-L, came with a five-speed automatic transmission only and at prices that reached $45,340. 

An upgrade early in 2015 brought a bigger grille and bolder front-end design, new rear lights which still snaked their way up the rear pillars but were visible from the sides as well. 

Buyers with an extra $3000 could specify the Modolo styling pack, which added a front splitter and rear spoiler, side steps and a bigger rear bumper. The steps would be useful if you have young passengers but seemed only available with the kit. 

By mid-2016, the list of locally available CR-Vs had grown to eight variations. These offered a choice of three engines, two types of automatic transmission plus a manual, with FWD or AWD and using 91RON petrol or diesel. 

As the fourth generation headed towards the end of its tenure, its cheapest version remained the 2.0-litre, front-wheel-drive VTi, which still cost less than $28,000. Cheaper than before at $44,290 was the diesel-fed VTi-L, now with 118kW and a more advanced automatic transmission.

Honda CR-V (2012-17) – What are they like to drive? 

CR-Vs rank among the easiest cars of their kind to drive, with simple controls, excellent visibility in all directions and good performance even with the 2.0-litre engine. 

Access via all the doors is easy, although the leap into the back seat can be a bit much for little legs. Once inside the seats aren’t too hard or too soft and headroom should be sufficient for anyone. 

Honda maintained a distinctive dash layout with the transmission shifter poking out from below the switchgear, but Sport autos did come with paddle shifters as well. 

Air-conditioning is – or should be – very effective, with cold air finding its way through dedicated vents to those in the rear seat. The dash is a bit bland and the display screen is relatively small, but a lot of functions can be controlled via the steering wheel. 

Honda has always made safety a priority and fourth-generation CR-Vs all qualified for a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Cabin airbags are everywhere, so too parking sensors and at least one external camera. 

Ride quality is very good, with the only penalty a bit of body roll that manifests when pushing a little harder on sealed roads. The electric power steering loses some feel at the straight ahead but all-disc brakes are more than sufficient for a car of this weight. 

In off-road or bush track situations, against something like a Forester or RAV4, the Honda may bounce and roll a little more. On loose surfaces, the Intelligent Control System is supposed to transfer torque from wheels with minimal grip to those with more, but the system doesn’t always work in ways that will maximise traction. 

Towing capacity doesn’t vary greatly between the engine or transmission types, being rated at 1500kg braked for the 2.0-litre and 1600kg with the diesel. 

Manuals in petrol form can be more hard work than fun and don’t offer a huge fuel saving. If you don’t spend your life in urban traffic though, try to track down a six-speed diesel. 

These are said to average 5.8L/100km, with consumption at constant speed on the highway dropping below 5L/100km. Front-wheel-drive automatics are lighter than the AWD models and that helps them achieve a 7.7L/100km average. Least frugal, although not by very much, is the 2.4-litre AWD petrol automatic, which delivers a combined urban/highway figure of 8.7L/100km. 

Is the Honda CR-V (2012-17) a good choice for families? 

The Honda CR-V is almost perfect for anyone whose offspring are yet to experience serious growth spurts. Even then, rear leg and headroom is reasonable and the seat can be adjusted to aid napping while on extended journeys. 

Redesigning the fourth-generation CR-V’s luggage area extended capacity with all seats in use to a healthy 556 litres, with much more again with the rear seat folded flat. 

The rear load height is lower than similar-sized wagons and the luggage platform will take a double-sized baby pusher plus other luggage. 

Also, the rear floor isn’t dominated by a big transmission hump, making the middle passenger more comfortable on longer journeys. 

Honda CR-V (2012-17) – What to check when buying used 

Rebook Inspect mobile inspectors can take the guesswork out of buying a car with a comprehensive vehicle inspection. 

Used vehicle grading for Honda CR-V (2012-17) 

Design & Function: 16/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 16/20
Value for Money: 12/20
Wow Factor: 11/20
Score: 71/100 

Also consider:
Volkswagen Tiguan
Mazda CX-5
Subaru Forester

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