Honda CR-V VTi L7 2024 Review

In the complex world that is the sixth-generation 2024 Honda CR-V range, the VTi L7 is both the most expensive front-wheel drive variant and the priciest seven-seat version, at $53,000 drive-away.

The CR-V is also available in two all-wheel drive guises and one petrol-electric hybrid, but they are five-seat only.

The cheapest CR-V is the five-seat 2WD VTi-X at $44,500, the cheapest seven-seater is the $46,800 VTi X7 and the cheapest AWD is the $51,300 VTi L (all prices are drive-away).

The flagship hybrid e:HEV RS costs $59,990 drive-away and is the only CR-V variant not powered by a familiar 140kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and orthodox CVT auto. It gets a new 135kW/335Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine/e-motor combo that drives via an e-CVT.

Being a seven-seater drastically reduces the direct competition in the medium SUV class for the CR-V VTi L7. The Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-TRAIL both offer the option of seven seats but that’s about it.

Drop the seven-seat stipulation and there’s an enormous amount of choice including the excellent Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and top-selling Toyota RAV4.

As one of the top models in the range, the VTi L7 includes big-ticket items like a panoramic sunroof, leather seat trim, heated front seats, embedded satellite-navigation and smart keycard entry.

Stuff it misses out compared to the LX AWD and/or hybrid include a powertrain Sport mode, the larger 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster (it makes do with a 7.0-inch unit), adaptive high-beam headlights and a 12-speaker Bose stereo.

Equipment it shares with lesser CR-V models includes 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a powered tailgate, auto height adjustment for its LED headlights, LED active cornering lights, powered front seats, a 9.0-inch infotainment touch-screen, Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, digital radio, active noise cancelling, an eight-speaker audio system and the Honda Connect smartphone app.

It’s the only model offering tri-zone climate control, with the added benefit of rear controls as well as second- and third-row air-vents.

There is no ANCAP safety rating for the new CR-V, nor any indication when one may arrive.

However, there is a comprehensive set of driver assistants including autonomous emergency braking, various forms of lane keeping and departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

There are 10 airbags, including curtains that cover the third row, three top-tether points and two ISOFX mounts, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

The CR-V comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, five years of roadside assistance, service intervals spaced at 12 months or an uncompetitive 10,000km, and servicing capped at an affordable $199 for each of the first five visits to the Honda workshop.

In a way that some recent Hondas kinda forgot, the 2024 Honda CR-V VTi L7 is a well-executed drive and a solid family transporter.

Based on a new platform employing independent rear suspension, the CR-V betrays no evil or underdone traits on the road. It handles confidently, steers directly and rides with comfort front and rear over all bar the most obnoxious of road imperfections.

OK, it’s not perfect. The body can shake and shimmy on corrugations, there’s some wheelspin from the front axle when accelerating hard out of corners and the steering lacks the directness of some Hondas of yore. However, for a 4704mm long, 1866mm wide and 1691mm tall wagon that weighs in at 1700kg, it’s pretty engaging.

Those measurements also point to another positive of the CR-V VTi L7 – its passenger space. The second-row seat is accessed by doors that open to a wide 90 degrees (handy for parents with kids or loading stuff) and there is a generous amount of room.

There are also decent row-two features including a raised seating position that also slides, door and seat pockets, two USB ports and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

The third row can be compromised given where you position the middle row, but it’s fine for young kids. Boot space is a minimal 150 litres with all pews in place, expanding to a more useable 472 litres with row three folded down.

The 2024 Honda CR-V VTi L7 isn’t a cheap car, but it feels it when you sit inside.

The colours are pretty dark and there’s nothing flash or special about the design or layout. Moreover, sit in a similarly priced example of the slightly smaller Honda ZR-V and you’ll quickly suss out where Honda sent its interior design A team.

Look, it is at least functional. It’s nice that there are proper air-conditioning hard buttons, for instance. It’s less appealing that some functions can’t be adjusted unless the car is stopped.

Oh, and let’s talk about the lane monitoring and other driver-assist systems. During testing they just went bonkers on some roads, mis-reading cracks in the road as lines and steering away as well as jumping on the anchors when they mistakenly thought another car was on collision course, bonging and flashing red warning signals.

They had to be disabled to preserve sanity and restore the CR-V’s fundamentally graceful driving behaviour.

While the powertrain of the CR-V doesn’t deserve to be a highlight, it’s probably doing it a bit of a disservice lumping it into this section.

It is a bit limp on take-off but gathers itself and gets rolling enthusiastically and without too much vibe and noise once past tip-in throttle openings.

The CVT, with pre-set faux gear steps and paddle shifters providing assistance, isn’t too droning either.

Fuel consumption was also neither great not poor, coming in at 8.2L/100km on test versus the 7.3L/100km claim. The engine accepts the cheapest 91 RON fuel.

At a time when Toyota is pricing itself towards being a luxury brand and Mazda is trying to do the same thing via a cloned SUV range, there is an opportunity for another Japanese brand to step forward and gain some more limelight. The 2024 CR-V VTi L7 suggests Honda is capable of doing that.

In some ways the underdone interior presentation of this car only serves to highlight the quality of the overall design and technical package. It’s a focus on the mechanical bits that Honda used to be so famous and respected for.

So, the CR-V may not win you over at first sit in the showroom, but it will impress in a sustained way once you’re out on the road and driving and living with it every day. It’s a real sign of life from Honda and one of the best vehicles in the class.

2024 Honda CR-V VTi L7 at a glance:
Price: $53,000 (drive-away)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 167g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested