The Honda CR-V doesn’t get the plaudits it deserves for being one of the modern SUV trailblazers. While the segment has made massive leaps since the first CR-V arrived on the scene, Trent Nikolic finds out that it’s still a competitive and cost-effective option.
- Ride quality and insulation are excellent
- Cabin space and comfort are high points
- One of the better CVTs we’ve tested
- Infotainment screen is too small in 2021
- Available with two-wheel drive only
- Electric tailgate is slow to raise and lower
Introduction
Reckon the medium SUV segment is crowded? You’d be right. The Honda CR-V goes into battle against such luminaries as the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, MG HS and Subaru Forester. And that’s just listing what we’d call ‘traditional’ rivals, while leaving out the European brands and more expensive offerings.
The other factor we always note about this segment is its positioning as the default family vehicle for Australian buyers. In 2021, and as we move into 2022, the family that might once have looked at a medium or large sedan, now considers the medium SUV segment the first port of call.
As such, Honda needs some measure of sales success from its CR-V – one of the pioneers of the modern SUV movement. Here, we’re testing the 2021 Honda CR-V VTi X grade, which sits second top in the 2WD line-up.
Pricing under Honda’s new fixed-price model sits at $41,200 drive-away, and the VTi L7, which sits above this model, starts from $48,700 drive-away. Keep in mind, though, the 2WD range-topper is seven-seat only.
Elsewhere in the CR-V range, there is, of course, All-wheel drive variants, with prices starting from $45,500 and $53,200 drive-away for the VTi L and VTi LX respectively. We’d be here all day if we tried to compare the prices of everything in this segment against the price of the Honda CR-V, so we’ll try to narrow it down a bit here for you.
If we weigh the RAV4 and CX-5 up against this model grade, we find the second-from-top GXL from Toyota and the top-spec Maxx Sport from Mazda, both also FWD. The RAV4 starts from $39,915 for that grade and the Mazda starts from $36,490, both before on-road costs.
If you dissect the pricing and specifications across this segment, you’ll find that there’s a split hair between them. A bigger screen here, larger wheels there, more premium trim here, colour-coded body cladding there. In fact, there is so little in it that it really does come down to personal preference in this segment.
With the reality that this segment is the family favourite in this country, then, the CR-V needs to be a true multi-tasker. Value, comfort, standard features, running and servicing costs, practicality and user-friendliness are all on the consideration list for the family buyer. In the face of newer, more updated competition, let’s see if the Honda CR-V can still mount a strong case for consideration.
| Key details | 2021 Honda CR-V VTi X |
| Price (MSRP) | $41,200 drive-away |
| Colour of test car | Lunar Silver Metallic |
| Options | None |
| Price as tested | $41,200 drive-away |
| Rivals | Toyota RAV4 | Mazda CX-5 | Mitsubishi Outlander |
Inside
The CR-V’s cabin is a strong point – for both its space and comfort. In fact, it’s the best in segment in terms of usable space, clever storage, and family practicality, whereas some medium SUVs feel half a segment smaller with the doors closed.
The seat material in this grade is comfortable, breathable, and seems to be rugged enough to deal with family expectations. The cabin is generally well-presented, comfortable and quiet, and there’s only a little bit of road noise that enters the cabin at highway speed on rough surfaces. Otherwise, it’s quiet and insulated.
The driver and passenger get two cupholders, which are positioned out of the way and not interfering with the shift lever. On that note, the high-mount shifter is clever, also moving it up out of the way of the lower section of the centre console.
The console’s moveable storage shelf – which slides forward and back – is a good one, in that it makes best use of the space depending on what you want to store and how you prefer to store it. Front door pockets get full-size bottle holders in the doors, as well as decent door pockets in general, and there is the regular sunglasses storage pocket up near the rear-view mirror.
The second row gets two USB ports and air vents but no temperature controls. Still, the cabin is cooled or heated well enough from front to rear that you don’t miss them like you might in a larger SUV. Large bottle holders and decent door pockets take space in the back doors like the front, and there is once again a feeling of space and room in the second row.
The second row illustrates once again that the CR-V is one of the best, if not the best in class, in terms of space for adults. The seat itself is not heavily sculpted but it is comfortable, and there’s plenty of head and shoulder room even for taller occupants.
We were impressed with the room for your feet under the front seats, and much of that practicality comes from the flat floor, which makes the middle seat vastly more pleasant.
The luggage space is excellent for the class at 522L, with room to store the family essentials on road trips. I think the electric tailgate is a bit slow to raise and lower, but it does provide good shelter when it’s open, given it’s quite a large unit. Cleverly, it can be opened via the remote, a switch in the cabin or the door itself, meaning you’ve got options unlike some.
The remote latches that drop the second-row seats make opening up the luggage space, when you didn’t expect it, as easy as possible. There’s a flat floor back there, a full-size spare beneath it, and a sturdy luggage cover to keep valuables out of sight.
| 2021 Honda CR-V VTi X | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 522L seats up / 1717L seats folded |
| Length | 4635mm |
| Width | 1855mm |
| Height | 1679mm |
| Wheelbase | 2660mm |
Infotainment and Connectivity
It’s here – in regard to infotainment, screens and tech inclusions – where the CR-V most feels its age. It’s important to note, though, that the equipment it does have works.
It’s simply that the segment has moved on so far, expectations have changed. However, if you’re stepping out of an older vehicle that either doesn’t have Bluetooth or only has basic Bluetooth, for example, the CR-V’s smartphone interface will still be a serious leap forward.
VTi X buyers get AM/FM radio – no digital radio, though – Android Auto with Google Assistant, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming, Garmin satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic updates and a six-speaker audio system.
The standard screen works well enough, but at 7.0 inches it’s appreciably smaller than the best in segment and what the market has come to expect. At times we found the touchscreen slow to respond to commands, but we had no issue on test with the wired smartphone connection, which was crystal clear at all times. Those of you with a smartphone won’t need to bother with the Bluetooth connection, but that also works well.
You get two USB ports and a neatly positioned shelf that keeps your smartphone secure on the move. Second-row passengers also get two USB ports. The proprietary satellite navigation system, provided by Garmin, also worked well on test, was accurate, and quick to lock into a route to get you where you need to go.
It is worth mentioning that while the CR-V is behind the most advanced in the pack, the tech (across the board) that it does have works well and doesn’t drop out, disconnect, or do anything annoying. So on that front, Honda deserves kudos, simply because plenty of systems have annoying glitches in them.
Safety and Technology
Other than the entry Honda CR-V Vi model, every other in the range benefits from the brand’s Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver aids. That means our mid-tier VTi X receives autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning, lane-departure warning with steering intervention, and auto high beam. Sadly, the wider range does not feature any form of rear-cross traffic and blind-spot alert system, let alone mitigation systems like automatic reverse braking or steering assist. However, it does feature a handy passenger-side camera that operates in conjunction with the blinker, which will help tricky merges or parking scenarios in the daylight. As for an official ANCAP safety rating, the 2021 Honda CR-V wears a five-star rating having been tested in 2017. All CR-V models come with six airbags, two second-row ISOFIX and three top-tether child seat mount points, and front seatbelt pretensioners.| 2021 Honda CR-V VTi X | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2017) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP |
Value for Money
Owning a Honda CR-V is as cheap as this segment gets, and for buyers on a budget that deserves mention. Further, it deserves to be marked as a real positive for those buyers too. Under Honda’s new “5 Low Price Services” policy, it charges $125 for each of the first five services inclusive of brake fluid and cabin air filters. That means it costs $375 over three years, or $625 over five to keep your CR-V safely on the road.Against an ADR claim of 7.3L/100km, we used an indicated 8.4L/100km. While the segment-leading RAV4 Hybrid obviously averages less fuel use than that, the CR-V is impressive for a medium SUV with a regular petrol engine and this much family space on offer. An added benefit is its thirst for only regular 91RON, meaning you don’t have to use more expensive premium fuels if you are on a tight budget.
| At a glance | 2021 Honda CR-V VTi X |
| Warranty | Five years / unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months / 10,000km |
| Servicing costs | $375 (3 years) | $625 (5 years) |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 7.3L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 8.4L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane petrol |
| Fuel tank size | 57L |
Driving
The CR-V’s ride is excellent in that it’s insulated and takes hits from poor surfaces competently. Inside the cabin, you barely feel bumps and potholes, with the 235/60 R18 tyres offering a solid compromise between ride comfort and handling quality. The steering is well-matched to daily driving duties, and feels light enough at low speed, but firm enough at high speed, to do both jobs easily.
It’s nitpicking to a degree, but the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine (140kW/240Nm) does feel like it needs to work harder than we’d like it to. However, that’s not a criticism of the engine in isolation, more the working of the CVT, which is an energy-sapping transmission. It was exacerbated by the amount of high-speed highway driving I did on test.
Honda’s CVT is better than some, but not as effortless and unnoticeable as a traditional automatic when you’re getting up to speed. In fact, I reckon if you paired this engine with a regular six- or eight-speed torque converter automatic, you’d get an entirely different result. The CVT is quiet and refined, though, not slurring and whirring into the cabin at any speed.
The engine is fine around town and takes care of the regular daily grind with ease. Where it can struggle is when you need to get up to speed quickly, or pull out for an overtake from 80km/h up to 110km/h, for example.
It’s in instances like that where the CVT can be slow to respond. When you need to add speed or when you punch the throttle asking for speed quickly, the CVT feels like it is slow to get the engine into its power zone. It’s not a safety issue, but if you were to drive the CR-V back-to-back with a good torque-converter-equipped vehicle, you’d notice it.
The quality of the cabin and space on offer line the CR-V up perfectly as the consummate family touring SUV. And it is. Load it up with mum, dad, two kids and all the associated luggage and you’ll be eating up country touring drives with ease. The way the CR-V handles poor surfaces, and the comfort with which you can tackle long distances, ensure it’s as much at home on the open road as it is around town.
| Key details | 2021 Honda CR-V VTi X |
| Engine | 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Power | 140kW @ 5600rpm |
| Torque | 240Nm @ 2000-5000rpm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Continuously variable automatic |
| Power to weight ratio | 90.9kW/t |
| Weight (kerb) | 1540kg |
| Tow rating | 1500kg braked, 600kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.0m |
Conclusion
There’s no doubt the Honda CR-V is an accomplished and well-executed medium SUV. It drives comfortably, is well-equipped, and has cabin ergonomics and space that are as good as the best in the segment.
There are newer SUVs available with more impressive standard features and equipment; however, the CR-V still delivers on the carved-from-stone sensation we’ve always appreciated (and indeed expected) from Honda. Those of you on a sharp budget will be impressed with the CR-V in VTi X guise.
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