This time last year, we were certain we’d be reviewing a new CR-V by now, but we’re not. Does age diminish the appeal of Honda’s family-friendly SUV?
2023 Honda CR-V VTi L7
Honda’s CR-V was one of the early templates for what we now recognise as a medium SUV. Popular now, but far less familiar when the nameplate first appeared in Aussie showrooms in 1997. Honda took a chance and it paid off, and in five-year cycles since, the brand has rolled out new generations to keep buyers interested.
Until now. In 2017, the current fifth-generation CR-V arrived in Australian showrooms, and while it was dutifully replaced in US showrooms by a new model almost one year ago, exact timing is still up in the air Down Under, but looking like late 2023 at this stage.
While hardly ancient, Honda goes into battle against newer competition from Mitsubishi and Nissan with fresh Outlander and X-Trail models, not to mention high-spec, low-price competition from relative newcomers like GWM and MG.
With the dedicated Odyssey people mover now crossed off the Honda order list, the CR-V stands as the only way to carry passengers in bulk. It’s still something of a rare feat to find seven seats in a medium SUV, but is this novelty enough to keep the CR-V afloat?
How much does the Honda CR-V cost in Australia?
Honda took the controversial approach of a one-price sales model. This means the sticker you see on the windscreen is the price you’ll pay no matter who you are or where you live. Negotiations no longer form part of the Honda buying experience, for better or worse.
Drive-away pricing starts from $35,900 for the cheapest CR-V Vi with five seats, front-wheel drive and less powerful engine than other models in the range. Seven-seat buyers have the option of the VTi 7 from $40,900 or the better-equipped VTi L7 shown here from $49,500, which is a decent leap between the two variants.
In the case of the VTi L7, a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine sends power to the front wheels via a CVT automatic. Whereas the five-seat VTi L gets all-wheel drive, the L7 trades all-wheel-drive ability for seven seats.
Sitting towards the top end of the range, the CR-V VTi L7 includes features like 18-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, wireless phone charging, leather seat trim, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, and integrated satellite navigation.
Externally, the seven-seat CR-V looks no different from five-seat versions, with no extra length or change in dimensions. It’s on the inside where things vary, with the third row of seating squeezed into the boot.
| Key details | 2023 Honda CR-V VTi L7 |
| Price | $49,500 drive-away |
| Colour of test car | Meteoroid Grey |
| Options | None |
| Price as tested | $49,500 drive-away |
| Rivals | Mitsubishi Outlander | Nissan X-Trail | Volkswagen Tiguan |
How much space does the Honda CR-V have inside?
From front to back, the CR-V provides plenty, ample, and compact passenger dimensions as you progress through the rows.
The driver’s vantage offers a nice blend of a commanding driving position without feeling truck-like. The step-in height is easy to manage, major controls fall nicely to hand (the high-mounted gearshifter is a great idea), and the driver’s seat is broad and comfy.
Storage in the console is generous. You’ll find a wireless charge pad and a pair of cupholders, plus a deep console with a sliding tray that gives mix-and-match options for storing keys and wallets, tissue boxes, or any other carry-on items you might have with you. Physical climate controls with temperature dials are also nice to have and simplify use.
Front-row creature comforts include leather seat trim, seat heating for both front seats, and a power adjustable driver’s seat with two-position memory. There’s dual-zone climate control up front, and vents continue into the second and third rows, though temp zones do not.
Second-row passengers get a spacious seat with lots of leg room and solid head room. You can adjust the backrest angle and the seat slides forward.
Features are relatively few for the second seat. There are face-level air vents in the back of the centre console and a pair of USB charge ports, but not climate controls or door blinds. The centre armrest folds down to reveal a pair of cupholders, which are backed up by bottle holders in the doors.
The outboard seats are comfy, but with so much packed into the centre seat, it’s taller and firmer than the outside seats. ISOFIX mounts can be found in the outboard positions, with top-tether points across all three second-row positions.
Getting into the third row isn’t the easiest task. There’s no one-touch access. The seats need to be folded flat first and flipped forward second in two separate actions. The space available to climb into the rear is good, and the small folding section is on the kerb side, but the process needs adult supervision.
The third row reveals itself as something of an afterthought. Honda’s storage solution isn’t as compact or clever as others when folded, and with the third row in use, the very limited leg room and high floor make long-range comfort difficult.
At least there are vents into the third row via an overhead bank of vents, and there are fold-away cupholders on each side. Buyers with young families may also appreciate the inclusion of third-row top-tether child seat anchorages, although the small third-row space means you’ll have to be careful with your choice of support seat.
Honda lists 150L of luggage space with all three rows of seats up, 472L to the window line with the third row folded, and 936L to the window line or 1486L to the roof with both rear rows stowed. Folding the third row leaves a stepped floor, though an adjustable boot means you can bring this up to level.
Impressively, the CR-V also manages to pack in a full-size spare wheel packaged under the boot floor and third row of seats.
| 2023 Honda CR-V VTi L7 | |
| Seats | Seven |
| Boot volume | 150L to third row 472L to second row 1486L to first row |
| Length | 4635mm |
| Width | 1855mm |
| Height | 1679mm |
| Wheelbase | 2660mm |
Does the Honda CR-V have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
As a fast-moving area of vehicle technology, the infotainment of the CR-V potentially does the most to give away the vehicle’s age.
All of the features you’d expect are present. There’s wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, AM/FM radio and embedded navigation. Some more up-to-the-minute features like digital radio, wireless phone mirroring, and smartphone-linked remote vehicle access aren’t included here.
The screen size at just 7.0 inches is compact, and sitting in a large black panel housing only exaggerates how small it is. That real estate surely could provide more screen and less border.
Honda’s menu layout isn’t the simplest, but it works just fine once you spend some time with it. The graphics are a little grainy, and the load time between screens can be laggy, with none of the high refresh rate and sharp resolution you might be used to on your smartphone.
The six-speaker audio system can’t punch hard. It’s fine for conversational-level background noise, but don’t expect concert hall quality. It’s also a little frustrating that the skip-track button uses the left-right buttons on the steering wheel’s spokes, while up-down runs the trip computer not volume – that took some time to get used to.
The driver’s display offers a good range of info, operating as a crossover between a fully digital instrument cluster and a traditional gauge cluster. The expanded trip info and media screens offer plenty of info at a glance, without shifting the digital speedo out of the driver’s line of sight.
Is the Honda CR-V a safe car?
The Honda CR-V carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating with assessment conducted in 2017.
With ANCAP assessment falling under stricter criteria every two years, the age of the CR-V’s result means it’s not directly comparable to a 2022 or 2023 five-star result.
| 2023 Honda CR-V VTi L7 | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2017) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Honda CR-V have?
All CR-V variants except the base model five-seat Vi come equipped with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) including forward collision warning, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. That’s on top of driver attention monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring, and trailer stability assist across all models.
The VTi L7 also adds features including high beam assist, and a lane-watch camera that runs a video feed from the left-side blind spot of the car in the infotainment display.
Some more modern features missing from the CR-V, even in this grade, include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection support for the AEB system, and reverse AEB.
For the most part, systems like lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control worked well in traffic; however, the forward collision alert felt too sensitive at times, often triggering from a long distance when slowing or stopping for vehicles ahead. Not detrimental, but just a touch overeager.
How much does the Honda CR-V cost to maintain?
Honda’s capped-price servicing is among the cheapest, regardless of the car you drive, for each of the first five visits to a genuine Honda service centre. The CR-V has 12-month/10,000km service intervals; a little shorter than the more common 15,000km intervals of most rivals.
The warranty also runs for five years with no kilometre limit, normally, but right now with the CR-V in runout, Honda has extended the warranty to seven years and bundled in seven years of roadside assist.
A leading insurer’s comprehensive insurance quote came to $1618 per year based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2023 Honda CR-V VTi L7 |
| Warranty | Seven years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Servicing costs | $597 (3 years) $995 (5 years) |
Is the Honda CR-V fuel-efficient?
Honda’s claimed consumption figure for the CR-V has it rated at 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres. After a week behind the wheel spent commuting to work and running around the ‘burbs, with a weekend round trip from Melbourne to Seymour and back, including passengers, the trip meter showed 8.5L/100km.
That’s a decent figure for a seven-seater with no hybrid assistance. The CVT automatic no doubt helps here, keeping revs low where possible, although it’s not always co-operative, as discussed further down.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 7.3L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 8.5L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 57L |
What is the Honda CR-V like to drive?
The CR-V has some very distinct good and bad attributes on the road. It’s quiet and comfy, but also at times dull and dimwitted in its responses.
There are no major flaws or glaring problems with how the CR-V drives. It’s more a case of newer competitors showing how far the game has moved on. Honda’s road manners are perfectly fine, safe and predictable – but not cutting-edge.
That’s most immediately noticeable in the very relaxed way the CR-V pulls away from stationary. The lethargic continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) seems to work against the engine and makes for sluggish progress off the line.
Once rolling, the CR-V picks up the pace more readily, but if the driver calls for a burst of speed, or if traffic conditions change quickly, the delayed kickdown and elastic-band feel of the CVT show up again, dulling the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine’s responsiveness.
The engine itself feels like the right fit, with 140kW and a stout 240Nm meaning that when it does find its groove it works well, either with just the driver or a carload of passengers.
Ride quality is tuned towards the softer side, so rough tarmac and unexpected potholes get blotted out while maintaining a sense of isolation in the cabin. Here the CVT works to keep engine revs as low as possible, and tyre and wind noise are hushed at speed, so it’s a serene cruiser.
Its steering is a little vague, but in the grand scheme of the automotive hierarchy, the CR-V is absolutely not trying to be a sports car in an SUV body. You’ll find it light and easy to manage at parking speeds, but there’s a moment of nothingness on the go, just off centre.
For buyers looking for a car that sinks into the background, this is the right fit. For anyone looking to double up on family space and driver entertainment, the CR-V has some catching up to do.
The good news, looking at Honda’s form with the enjoyable new Civic and HR-V, is that the next-generation CR-V should address any dynamic despondency. Those vehicles both offer premium driving experiences, and we’d very much expect the next CR-V to do the same.
| Key details | 2023 Honda CR-V VTi L7 |
| Engine | 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Power | 140kW @ 5600rpm |
| Torque | 240Nm @ 2000–5000rpm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 85.3kW/t |
| Weight | 1642kg |
| Spare tyre type | Full-size |
| Tow rating | 1000kg braked 600kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.0m |
Should I buy a Honda CR-V?
As it stands, the Honda CR-V strikes a nice balance and fits a medium SUV niche that unequivocally needs to be filled.
This is a broad and comfy five-seater, with room in the rear for two more passengers at a pinch. It’s not a fantastic full-time seven-seater, but not every family needs that.
Instead, the exterior remains relatively compact, the interior is plush and comfy, and the features set is solid given the $49,500 drive-away price point. There are obvious signs where the CR-V shows its age, including safety systems and infotainment – something that not every buyer will love.
For those that prioritise seat space and driving comfort, though, the CR-V could be well worth a look. Especially with the possibility that the next CR-V will push the price up compared to the current luxed-up seven-seat model.
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