The Honda CR-V first arrived in 1995 as a soft-roader with car-like driving characteristics, appealing to buyers as it bridged the gap between a full-size SUV and a hatchback. In its sixth generation, the CR-V has grown into a bigger SUV with more cabin space and sophisticated hybrid powertrains. We drove a plug-in hybrid CR-V for a week to find out how it compares against its rivals today.
When viewing a used Honda CR-V, check that it has been serviced on time and that the engine runs smoothly. On a test drive, it should feel stable and comfortable, with no suspension knocks, steering vibration or gearbox hesitation. Diesel models should pull cleanly without flat spots, while automatic versions should shift smoothly.
Michael Green is an RSS Patrol at The AA, with extensive experience in roadside support, diagnostics, mentoring, and electric and hybrid vehicle repair.
Read bioThe Honda CR-V has an excellent reliability record and is one of the more durable family SUVs in its class. Most issues are linked to age, mileage or missed maintenance rather than major mechanical weakness.
Common issues include:
• Front suspension wear, including drop links, bushes and top mounts with high mileage
• Infotainment lag or freezing on earlier touchscreen systems
• Air conditioning faults, often linked to condenser corrosion
• Rear differential noise on all-wheel-drive models if the fluid has not been changed on time
• Diesel particulate filter issues on 1.6 i-DTEC diesels – only on cars used mainly for short journeys
• Weak 12-volt batteries, especially on cars with stop-start
• CVT automatic juddering or hesitation if gearbox servicing has been missed
Well-maintained CR-Vs commonly cover high mileages. The key is checking the service history and making sure diesel, automatic and all-wheel-drive models have had the right maintenance at the right time.
Most CR-V models need servicing every 12 months or around 12,500 miles, depending on the engine and service schedule.
Key maintenance to keep on top of includes:
• Annual oil and filter changes
• Gearbox fluid changes on automatic models
• Rear differential fluid changes on all-wheel-drive versions
• Regular longer drives for diesel models to help keep the diesel particulate filter clear
• Air conditioning servicing
• Suspension checks on higher mileage cars
• 12-volt battery checks
Running costs are usually predictable for a mid-size SUV. Parts are widely available, fuel economy is reasonable for the size of the car, and many engines use timing chains, which helps reduce long-term servicing costs.
Hybrid versions use Honda’s e system, which is generally reliable and easy to live with. Battery ageing is usually gradual, and the high-voltage battery is typically covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles.
The Honda CR-V is a practical, comfortable and dependable family SUV. After many years and miles, most problems are likely to be routine wear, such as suspension parts, tyres, brakes, batteries or air conditioning components. A CR-V with full-service history, smooth gearbox operation and no warning lights should be a reassuring used buy.
Honda has got many things right with this generation of the CR-V, and in isolation, it’s a great mid-size SUV. It’s comfortable and relaxing to drive, with generous amounts of interior and boot space. But look at the bigger picture and there are many rivals that offer more, especially at a lower price.
Adithya is the Content Editor at AA Cars and a Motoring Journalist, with over 1,000 published articles across numerous publications.
Read bioThe new Honda CR-V e: HEV hybrid is priced from £48,075 for the Elegance and £51,250 for the Advance. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid e:PHEV is only available as a single trim – the Advance Tech. It is priced at £50,675, making it one of the more expensive cars in its class (on-road pricing). If you are looking to save some money, used or nearly new 2025 or 2026 Honda CR-V models are available from as low as £35,000.
• e: HEV: Normal hybrid with a 2.0-litre petrol engine + dual electric motors and e-CVT - AWD (184hp/335Nm)
• e: PHEV: Plug-in hybrid with the same 2.0-litre engine + dual electric motors (larger battery) and e-CVT - 2WD (184hp/335Nm)
We tested the CR-V e:PHEV plug-in hybrid variant, which uses the same engine, gearbox and electric motors as the normal hybrid, but with a bigger battery, offering 50 miles of electric range. Honda does things differently to other brands, and that’s worked out well in this case. Combined output is the same (184hp) as the normal hybrid, and Honda claims 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds (normal hybrid is 9.3 seconds, also AWD). Although these numbers are ordinary, even bordering on being slow by modern standards, in day-to-day driving, the CR-V doesn’t feel sluggish.
There’s always an electric boost on offer, even when it’s low on charge, to get the CR-V moving. So up to around 50mph, it feels adequately quick, with the electric power offering EV-like instant and effortless acceleration. But ask more, especially at higher speeds, and the CR-V starts to struggle as it’s behind rivals on outright numbers. The engine does kick in very smoothly, but it doesn’t sound as refined as you’d expect.
If outright performance is not important to you, the CR-V offers one of the most relaxing driving experiences in its segment. It’s refined and comfortable to drive and does a good job of optimising its powertrain for an easy driving experience. What it lacks on paper, the CR-V certainly makes up for in other areas.
We like the fact that the CR-V rides on reasonably sized wheels and tyres (18-inch) with huge sidewalls, unlike most modern cars. So, inherently, the ride is supple and it filters out most of the imperfections in the road. In a way, it rides like a big soft SUV that feels confident over any kind of road. The ride and handling balance leans more towards comfort at all speeds. There is a good amount of pitch and lift during braking and acceleration, and over some larger undulations, but it never comes across as uncomfortable unless you drive spiritedly.
Overall, the CR-V handles well enough for a large SUV weighing close to 2 tonnes. There is body lean, but grip levels are positive with a decent front-end feel. The steering is a bit on the heavier side, but in a positive way as it inspires more confidence. The steering wheel itself is the perfect size, with a thin rim and a seating position that is commanding but not intimidating at the same time. The brakes also deserve praise, as they not only provide strong bite but also offer fantastic pedal feel, with the right amount of modulation.
The interior of the CR-V is spacious, with an old-school design featuring a normal-sized touchscreen and physical buttons or rotary knobs for the important controls. This can be a positive or a negative, depending on how you see it. Compared to rivals, it’s lacking the design flair and a large infotainment unit, but from an ergonomic point of view, it is one of the most thoughtfully designed cabins. Everything is within reach and you instantly feel at home in the CR-V’s cabin, even if it is not the most visually striking interior.
In terms of cabin quality, nothing feels cheap. Everything feels built to last, with good materials throughout the cabin. The aircon controls are particularly well finished, with a nice click feel to all buttons throughout. Having said that, the biggest issue is that the CR-V’s cabin does not have a premium or plush feel to it considering the £50,000 price tag.
Boot capacity is generous, with 587 litres available in hybrid and 617 litres in plug-in hybrid versions when the seats are upright; folding the seats increases space to a maximum of 1,710 litres. The boot itself is wide and flat, making loading straightforward, and most trims feature a power-operated tailgate as standard.
Cabin space follows the same theme, with generous amounts of room. The front seats are comfortable with a good range of adjustment, although they do lack a bit of under-thigh support. We noticed the front passenger seat is not as adjustable as the driver’s seat, which is a miss. Move to the rear, and once again, there is no shortage of room as the cabin is wide enough for three adults. The seats also slide and recline, adding more flexibility. The doors also open wide, making it easier to fit a child seat.
The CR-V offers good cabin storage, featuring numerous cubbies, reasonably sized door bins, and a centre console that ensures useful stowage space for essentials.
The infotainment unit is a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. It is a relatively small unit, and the resolution is not the sharpest, but it’s easy to use, with actual buttons for volume, home and back functions. The 10.2-inch digital driver’s display is neatly laid out with clear graphics, as is the heads-up display. The 12-speaker Bose sound system is another highlight as it offers rich and detailed audio quality with a surround-sound stage.
Other feature highlights are the panoramic roof, adaptive headlights, heated/ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, powered driver seats with memory, 360-degree camera, powered tailgate, etc. Safety features are enhanced by Honda’s SENSING 360 ADAS package, which includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The CR-V is available in three trims, including Elegance, Advance, and Advance Tech (PHEV-only). Buyers can choose from a wide selection of colours, featuring both metallic and premium finishes. Specific exterior colour options typically include Crystal Black Pearl (free), Urban Grey Pearl (£725), Platinum White Pearl (£725), Canyon River Blue Metallic (£725), Premium Crystal Red Metallic (£1075), Diamond Dust Pearl (£1075) and Gold Titan Metallic, as shown in the pictures (£1075).
In terms of safety, a standard Honda CR-V has achieved a 4-star rating from Euro NCAP, while one with the safety pack was awarded 5 stars. It also received individual scores of 85% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 80% for vulnerable road users (such as pedestrians and cyclists), and 79% for safety assist systems.
The hybrid (e:HEV) CR-V achieves between 40 and 43 mpg (WLTP) with CO₂ emissions of 151 g/km, while the plug-in hybrid offers an electric-only range of up to 50 miles and impressively low CO₂ emissions of just 19 g/km. On our real-world testing, the CR-V plug-in hybrid was efficient in city driving but consumed a bit more fuel on sustained motorway runs. We consistently saw around 40mpg (indicated) during our time with the car.
Road tax isn’t cheap, as every CR-V attracts the standard annual rate. Because every CR-V costs more than £40,000 when new, each model is also subject to the Expensive Car Supplement for the first five years from the second year of registration.
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