- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.4i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
125kW, 218Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 10L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Honda CR-V Sport Review
HONDA CR-V SPORT REVIEW
VEHICLE STYLE: Compact SUV
PRICE: $38,790
Engine: 2.4 litre petrol, naturally-aspirated in-line four cylinder.
Outputs: 125kW @ 5800rpm / 218NmӬ@ 4200rpm.
Transmission: five-speed automatic.
Official fuel efficiency: 10.0 L/100km
On test fuel efficiency: 11.7 L/100kmӬ
CO2 emissions: 237g/km
OVERVIEW
Honda’s CR-V received a light refresh at the beginning of 2010, adding premium touches to the interior and a more cohesive exterior. Comfort and utility feature highly on the CR-V’s list of priorities and equipment levels are generous.
INTERIOR | RATING: 3/5
- Quality: Plush, soft trimmed seats give an air of quality. Across the dash everything fits well, is firmly attached and should provide long, hardwearing service.
- Comfort: Although they may look inviting, the seats lack proper back and thigh support with a lack of lumbar support up front and a hard, thinly-padded centre-rear seat. Adjustability up front (as well as the reclining rear seats) help alleviate this slightly.
- Equipment: The CR-V Sport comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-disc, six-speaker MP-3 compatible stereo, power windows and mirrors, dual-zone climate control a powered glass sunroof, a two-tier cargo floor with cargo blind, steering wheel audio and cruise control buttons, a trip computer and on-demand all-wheel-drive.
- Storage: Honda adds to the CR-V’s interior versatility by including a bottle holder in each door, roomy door pockets, dual gloveboxes, centre-stack storage and a spacious centre console. A two-tier boot floor makes stowing items both large and small a breeze.
ON THE ROAD | RATING: 3/5
- Driveability: The CR-V puts in a solid effort on the road. The CR-V puts in a solid effort on the road. Engine performance is perfectly adequate for family duties around town and strong enough for the long highway run - even with a load up. The transmission is refined, with well-matched ratios, although the CRV can feel a little lethargic at lower revs. Torque isn’t available until higher in the rev range, which hurts fuel economy when going up hills or with a full load of passengers.
- Refinement: The interior is well-isolated from wind and road noise with just a little engine noise evident at high revs. Smooth gear changes, light steering and good visibility make for un-fussed urban driving.
- Suspension: MacPherson struts are fitted up front, with multi-link double wishbones at the rear. Handling is a little soft with early roll into corners and plenty of understeer, but ride comfort is excellent.
- Braking: Ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes provide smooth braking power, which is well matched to the CR-V’s on-road attributes.
SAFETY | RATING: 4/5
- ANCAP rating: 4-Star
- Safety features: ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, six airbags (front, side and curtain), stability control, traction control, active front head restraints, front pretensioning seatbelts and three-point seatbelts on all seats.
WARRANTY AND SERVICING
- Warranty: Standard warranty coverage is for 3 years/100,000 km with extended warranty available at additional cost.
- Servicing: Servicing costs vary, so confirm pricing with your Honda dealer before purchase.
HOW IT COMPARES | VALUE FOR MONEY RATING: 3/5
- Toyota RAV4 Cruiser ($38,990) - Similarly equipped with an automatic and AWD, Toyota’s RAV4 may bring a touch more style to the table, but accommodation is similar and driveline refinement (with only a four speed auto) is a step behind. (click for RAV4 reviews)
- Nissan X-trail ST-L ($38,490) - One for the adventurers, with selectable all-wheel-drive and a more robust feel both inside and out. ST-L spec gains leather trim, but misses out on a sunroof. (click for X-Trail reviews)
- Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports ($38,990) - The only turbocharged petrol on offer amongst this group brings superior performance and is the handling champion by far. Sharp styling and a six-speed auto bode well, the turbo engine’s prodigious thirst however, does not. (click for CX-7 reviews)
TMR VERDICT | OVERALL RATING: 3.5/5
By being just a little more refined and just a touch quieter than its competitors the CR-V makes a strong case for itself. It doesn't excel in any particular area, but nor does it disappoint. Its overall ability and versatility makes it fine family transport.
Seating comfort could be better and is the biggest mark against the CR-V Sport. However, a strong feature list and a fuss-free drive make the CR-V worth a look when considering a compact SUV.