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Since the late 1990s, the Honda CR-V has become common in shopping malls and school parking lots. It's a small SUV that has over the years proven to be practical, reasonably priced, and dependable. However, the new generation of CR-V has tried to raise the bar for the brand, resulting in a R1 million vehicle. Well, the price is premium, but there is a level of expectation that comes with a price tag of this size and, well, I think it's nearly there.
The most noticeable addition to the CR-V is the increase in size, and while it has seven seats, it is a good-looking SUV. While the addition of a detachable shelf helps optimise the boot space, the presence of the third row of rear seats reduces the total available cargo area.
As for seating space, a regular trump card for the CR-V, the middle row has a good amount of legroom and is a comfortable place to sit for prolonged trips. But the real highlight is the cabin experience, with its high-tech atmosphere that promotes a more premium experience. The CR-V boasts a 9-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is overall easy to use. The digital instrument cluster is also easy to interpret and provides a simple yet pleasant aesthetic when reading your speed, revs, and other driving information.
There are less-than-premium plastics scattered around the cabin, which is off-putting, and the overall ambiance is dark, which may appeal to some but not all buyers.
There are a few things to consider when it comes to the driving characteristics of a family SUV, with one of the more essential considerations being the power figures and whether it can handle a fully loaded car and possibly a trailer. Unfortunately, the CR-V could do with a little more shove, especially considering the price. It comes with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 140kW and 240Nm of torque.
It's bolted to a CVT transmission, and this is where the question marks start to appear. For one, the CR-V isn’t compact by any means. If you are alone or have only a couple of passengers, the power is adequate, but it needs revs to harness maximum output. Luckily, then, it's not too big of an ask since this CVT is quite rev-happy. Its tendency to be noisy under acceleration—and not in the pops and bangs kind of way that we typically enjoy—is definitely a drawback. It then takes a while to get going once you bury the accelerator, and we're confident that a HEV variation would address these issues with a bit more torque; unfortunately, the hybrid CR-V is out there but not available in SA just yet. It also offers a claimed consumption of 7.4l/100km, which isn’t bad considering its size, but at Gauteng altitude, it does creep into the 8.0 l/100km range.
A good ride quality with stress-free ground clearance is also important to consider. I'm pleased to report that the CR-V is a compliant bump absorber, and it's especially evident on rougher road surfaces where the chassis gets to be provoked. With ample clearance for speed bumps and potholes, it provides a calm and comfortable driving experience.
Honda's CR-V is a good car and one I'd easily recommend if it weren’t for the price. The CR-V comes in two model grades available in South Africa, starting with the Executive at R959,900, which is the ‘base’ model. The model we drove is the top-spec Exclusive and comes in at R1,039,900. This places the CR-V up against cars like the Kia Sorento, which is a well-rounded product with more torque and better fuel consumption for a similar price.
All things considered, it's a good representation of Honda's potential within the more premium segment. As much as the CR-V has been largely improved over the previous model, a bigger, more powerful motor would do the price some justice. Aside from the engine and gearbox, the CR-V has a beautiful design, particularly from the front, and a cabin that contributes to a more premium experience.
It’s a comfortable ride and is spacious, with plenty of entertainment and safety systems to make your road trips that much more enjoyable and safer. I believe that a larger motor or even a HEV model would be a more tempting offer, but the price at the moment is a little on the steep side, even for the modern motoring market. At least your kids will be lugged around in something that looks trendy enough to brag about at school.
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