Honda CR-V 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
In the face of some highly-polished mid-size SUV competition, Honda’s CR-V really needed to lift its game. The fifth-generation model introduced in mid 2017 pretty much does that.

Based on an all-new platform and offering interior space many of its competitors envy, the CR-V gets a new turbocharged 1.5-litre engine, the availability of seven seats, upgraded safety technology and evolutionary but appealing new styling.

A simplified four-model range encompasses three five-seat variants: the front-drive VTi, the VTi-S with optional AWD and the all-paw-only VTi-LX. The only seven-seat variant is the front-drive only VTi-L.

All use the new turbo engine and all employ Honda’s ‘Earth Dreams’ CVT transmission.

Here, we look at the base VTi, the seven-seat VTi-L and the premium VTi-LX (the latter the only model to offer safety tech such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist).

Satellite-navigation is standard at the top level, but nowhere else – although all CR-Vs get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, enabling access to navigation on the multi-function colour screen via smartphones.

And, not insignificant for any prospective buyer is news of Honda’s five-year, unlimited-km warranty.

Ride quality is impressive and, apart from some lean when heeling into a corner, it points better than the lifeless (but relatively quick) steering initially suggests.

The CR-V is stable and predictable on loose surfaces – although not so much fun on a race circuit where the weight transfer becomes formidably apparent. Not the place for an SUV anyway.

Honda’s 1.5-litre turbo needs a bit of encouragement, but it delivers if the driver insists, helped along by the generally well-behaved CVT (we experienced some shudder on takeoff) to fill any holes in the torque curve. Fuel consumption comes close to matching ADR figures too.

Which is a good sign, but Honda still has a lot of ground to make up as the CR-V is currently ranked ninth in a segment where the dominant Mazda CX-5 is outselling it by a ratio of around three to one. Which certainly contrasts starkly with Honda’s statement labelling the CR-V as the world’s best-selling SUV.

By any measure it’s exceptionally roomy for passengers inside and the luggage area, in five-seat versions, is tall and commodious. Add the extra row of seats and the cargo area drops from 522 to 150 litres and the overall capacity from a reasonable 1084 to 967 litres via a not especially user-friendly folding arrangement.

Typically, the third row is essentially kids-only.

With standard active noise control the CR-V is reasonably hushed inside - although there are still quieter mid-size SUVs.

On the downside, I found accessing Android Auto on the non-sat-nav variants annoyingly difficult and the bar-graph fuel gauge was a bit hard to decipher.

And the 1.5-tonne towing capacity (one tonne for the seven-seater) lags behind the likes of Volkswagen Tiguan, CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson too.

Where does it fit?
If you think about mid-size SUVs capable of seating seven people, the CR-V’s direct competition becomes limited. You’ll be rating the Honda against the likes of Holden’s Captiva, Nissan’s X-Trail, or even the Mitsubishi Outlander and here it asserts some authority largely because it’s the newest and flashiest kid on the block.

Even the CR-V’s base VTi model feels quite upmarket with its standard power tailgate and full-size alloy spare. The large, SUV-appropriate side mirrors earn points too.

So, what do we think?
It’s hard not to like the latest Honda CR-V. It somehow rises above the blandness of previous generations with its nicely-honed, quality interior, amazing space, composed ride and a new-generation, small-capacity turbo engine which, while feeling a bit tardy at first, actually measures up pretty well for performance and fuel consumption.

There’s little question the CR-V should attract new fans among those requiring extra passenger-carrying capacity. In fact, on a purely pragmatic level, Honda’s latest is hard to beat.

2017 Honda CR-V VTi pricing and specifications:
Price: $30,690 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: continuously variable
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 160g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Honda CR-V VTi-L (7-seat) pricing and specifications:
Price: $38,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: continuously variable
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 166g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Honda CR-V VTi-LX pricing and specifications:
Price: $44,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: continuously variable
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

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