The Honda CR-V is again, greater and higher.
With a pointy new look, extra fashionable inside, and a hybrid possibility for the primary time in Australia, so much has modified. However for all that’s modified, the pitch for the 2024 Honda CR-V VTi L7 on take a look at right here is identical.
It’s designed to supply all of the luxuries and comforts of a mid-range CR-V, with the added flexibility of two additional seats for days whenever you’re the designated mother or father on the varsity run carpool. Not everybody who wants seven seats desires to drive a bus, in any case.
Right here’s the way it stacks up in the true world.
How does the Honda CR-V fare vs its rivals?
View an in depth breakdown of the Honda CR-V in opposition to equally sized autos.
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CR-V
How a lot does the Honda CR-V VTi L7 value?
The CR-V VTi L7 is the most costly seven-seat mannequin within the line-up, with a drive-away worth of $53,000.
It’s $6200 dearer than the bottom VTi X7, though it’s nonetheless comfortably cheaper than the five-seat vary toppers in the identical vary.
Rivals embody the Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire seven-seater ($47,340), the Nissan X-Path ST-L AWD seven-seater ($46,790 earlier than on-roads). The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life 132TSI ($49,990) can be a rival.
Honda CR-V pricing:
- 2024 Honda CR-V VTi X: $44,500
- 2024 Honda CR-V VTi X7: $46,800
- 2024 Honda CR-V VTi L: $48,800
- 2024 Honda CR-V VTi L AWD: $51,300
- 2024 Honda CR-V VTi L7: $53,000
- 2024 Honda CR-V VTi LX AWD: $57,000
- 2024 Honda CR-V e:HEV RS: $59,900
All costs are drive-away
What’s the Honda CR-V VTi L7 like on the within?
The brand new CR-V has taken an enormous leap ahead relative to its predecessor.
It’s higher to take a look at, has considerably higher know-how, and is extra spacious than earlier than, in line with the brand new HR-V, Civic, and ZR-V.
The dashboard is straightforward, however manages to nonetheless look attention-grabbing thanks largely to the hexagonal latticework operating its width, and protecting the air vents. It’s not completed in silver like on the Civic, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a pleasant contact.
There are correct local weather controls as an alternative of the hybrid dial and touchscreen system that featured earlier than.
Not solely is it simpler to make use of, the knurled dials make a beautiful little click on as you regulate the temperature, enjoying into the sensation this can be a extra premium automobile than earlier than.
The transmission selector can be the proper peak to make use of as a wrist relaxation whenever you’re working them, which is not any accident.
The CR-V has a 9.0-inch show operating in-house software program, and it’s an enormous leap ahead. It’s fashionable to take a look at, with crisp graphics and easy, slick menus.
The maps lastly appear to be an OEM product fairly than an aftermarket system, though the wi-fi smartphone mirroring means you’ll be able to simply sidestep the inbuilt software program anyway.
Even the reversing digicam is sharp and vivid, not like the foggy unit from the final automobile. Over-the-air updates imply the system will be up to date all through its life, too.
The entrance seats are all-day comfy, with beautiful gentle cushions and simply sufficient bolstering. The view out of the tall home windows is palatial, and all of the ergonomics are wonderful – every thing it’s good to contact is inside simple attain.
There’s loads of storage within the giant, central storage bin, together with the twin cupholders and under-dashboard tray.
Rear seat area was a combined bag within the final CR-V. Legroom was all the time a robust swimsuit, however fashions with a sunroof all the time struggled for headroom again there.
The brand new mannequin fixes that drawback, however maintains useful touches like a low sill and enormous doorways that open 90 levels.
The rear bench is broad sufficient to comfortably seat three children, and the low, flat ground is a constructive. Air vents, USB ports, and a fold-down central armrest additionally function. The bench slides to unencumber extra rear legroom.
Entry to the third row is straightforward sufficient, because of the tumbling and sliding second row of seats. It’s nonetheless extra geared toward occasional use than full-time service, however when you’re again there the third row is an enchancment during the last automobile.
The roof-mounted air vents are welcome in summer time, and each leg- and headroom are acceptable for youngsters or small youngsters.
Adults will really feel very cramped again there, however there’s sufficient area to get you from bar-to-bar when the CR-V inevitably hits Uber XL fleets.
Boot area behind the third row is restricted to 150 litres. You’ll get a few buying baggage in there, however not rather more – and Honda has continued with the annoying dual-level boot insert panel that provides you a flat ground, however is difficult to retailer or conceal.
On the plus aspect, the 1457 litres of boot area on provide with each the third and second rows folded is a correctly flat area.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
CR-V VTi fashions use a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine shared with the smaller ZR-V and Civic.
Within the CR-V, the four-cylinder turbocharged engine generates 140kW (6000rpm) and 240Nm (1700-5000rpm).
Drive is distributed to the entrance wheels as customary through a continuously-variable transmission (CVT), with on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) out there as a value possibility for the VTi L and as customary for the high-grade VTi LX.
Claimed gasoline economic system on the mixed cycle is 7.3 litres per 100km, however we noticed 8.5 litres per 100km on a combined metropolis and freeway loop. It’s extremely economical on the open street, with the onboard journey laptop dropping into the 6.0L/100km vary at instances, however that determine rapidly creeps up on the town.
The gasoline tank holds 57 litres and drinks 91 RON common unleaded petrol.
How does the Honda CR-V VTi L7 drive?
Longer and wider than earlier than, the brand new CR-V seems like a extra grown up step on from its predecessor.
The turbocharged petrol engine fires quietly whenever you prod the beginning button, and customarily does its work within the background. Should you’re simply maintaining with visitors it’s quiet, buzzing away between 1500 and 3000rpm and providing an honest shove within the again.
Actually put your foot down and it must work a bit more durable, making extra noise because the revs flare. Honda’s transmission is a great CVT, mimicking a conventional computerized whenever you bury the accelerator by revving all the best way to redline after which faking an upshift, however it might’t conceal the actual fact this can be a small engine powering a giant automobile at instances.
With seven folks on board it’ll be working arduous, particularly at 100km/h. With 4 up and their baggage it will get the job finished – and it’s a punchier performer than the naturally aspirated engines on provide within the rival Nissan X-Path or Mitsubishi Outlander.
With gentle steering and wonderful all-round visibility, the CR-V is straightforward to drive within the metropolis.
The 18-inch wheels on this mannequin don’t damage the experience, as an alternative permitting the automobile to drift alongside pockmarked city roads.
There’s no sporting pretence about it, which is an effective factor – however Honda hasn’t turned the CR-V right into a floaty barge. It nonetheless feels properly tied down, controlling its mass in a single clear motion over huge pace bumps or crests.
It’s impressively polished at freeway speeds. The experience stays wonderful, though there’s a bit extra street noise than is good on something lower than excellent tarmac. It’s a standard grievance we’ve got about Honda merchandise, and is the one actual knock on its refinement.
Honda’s driver assists are neatly tuned. The adaptive cruise management neatly maintains a niche to the automobile in entrance, and the lively lane-centring system is easy when it does determine to nudge you again into line.
Transferring away from the outdated LaneWatch digicam system and becoming a blind-spot monitoring gentle is a step ahead as nicely.
As for the dealing with? The CR-V is definitely affordable enjoyable to throw round, if that’s a precedence in your loved ones automobile. It nonetheless has loads of physique roll, nevertheless it doesn’t wish to fall over in corners like a few of its rivals.
What do you get?
CR-V VTi X highlights:
- LED headlights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size alloy spare wheel
- Arms-free energy tailgate
- 90-degree rear doorways
- Premium Material seat upholstery
- 8-way energy driver seat
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Dialog Mirror
- 7.0-inch driver show
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Honda Join
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto
- 8-speaker audio system
- Wi-fi telephone charger
CR-V VTi X7 provides:
- 7 seats
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Area saver spare wheel
- Tri-zone local weather management
CR-V VTi L7 provides (over VTi X7):
- Panoramic sunroof
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Privateness glass
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Good Key Card
- i-Twin + tri-zone local weather management
- Leather-based-appointed seats, black
- Heated entrance seats
- Driver reminiscence operate (2 positions)
- 4-way energy passenger seat
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Leather-based-wrapped shifter
- Rain-sensing wipers
Is the Honda CR-V VTi L7 secure?
The brand new Honda CR-V is but to be examined by ANCAP and Euro NCAP.
Commonplace security options embody:
- 11 airbags
- Honda Sensing
- Ahead collision warning
- Collision mitigation braking system (AEB)
- Lane departure warning
- Lane preserve help
- Highway Departure Mitigation System
- Adaptive cruise management
- Low Velocity Comply with
- Visitors Jam Help
- Low Velocity Braking Management
- Visitors signal recognition
- Auto high-beam
- Parking sensors entrance, rear
CR-V VTi X7 + VTi L add:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
CR-V e:HEV RS provides:
- LED lively cornering lights
- Adaptive Driving Beam (headlights)
How a lot does the Honda CR-V VTi L7 value to run?
Honda Australia covers its vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
There’s additionally premium roadside help for a similar interval, in addition to 5 years of capped-price servicing.
Honda is at present capping scheduled upkeep at $199 per go to for the primary 5 scheduled providers for brand spanking new fashions. Intervals are 12 months or 10,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Honda CR-V VTi L7
Honda has mounted most of what was flawed with the final CR-V, and constructed on its strengths within the course of.
The brand new inside is extra spacious and opulent than earlier than, and it lastly has an up-to-date know-how suite in step with what its huge rivals can provide.
We’ve additionally been arduous on Honda for its pricing, however the VTi L7 represents wonderful worth.
The one caveat? Should you want all-wheel drive, there’s no capability to mix a seven-seat inside with something however front-wheel drive.
Should you can stay with front-wheel drive although, the CR-V is up there with the category leaders.
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: Every part Honda CR-V
