The Honda CR-V is again, larger and higher.
With a pointy new look, extra trendy inside, and a hybrid choice 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 check right here is similar.
It’s designed to supply all of the luxuries and comforts of a mid-range CR-V, with the added flexibility of two further seats for days while you’re the designated guardian 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 opponents?
View an in depth breakdown of the Honda CR-V towards equally sized automobiles.
Honda
CR-V
How a lot does the Honda CR-V VTi L7 value?
The CR-V VTi L7 is the costliest 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 inexpensive 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 also 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 have a look at, has considerably higher know-how, and is extra spacious than earlier than, in step with the brand new HR-V, Civic, and ZR-V.
The dashboard is easy, however manages to nonetheless look fascinating thanks largely to the hexagonal latticework operating its width, and overlaying 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 modify the temperature, taking part in into the sensation this can be a extra premium automotive than earlier than.
The transmission selector can also be the right top to make use of as a wrist relaxation while you’re working them, which isn’t 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 trendy to have a look at, with crisp graphics and easy, slick menus.
The maps lastly appear like an OEM product slightly 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 digital camera is sharp and vibrant, in contrast to the foggy unit from the final automotive. Over-the-air updates imply the system may be up to date all through its life, too.
The entrance seats are all-day snug, with pretty tender cushions and simply sufficient bolstering. The view out of the tall home windows is palatial, and all of the ergonomics are wonderful – all the things you must 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 house was a combined bag within the final CR-V. Legroom was all the time a powerful swimsuit, however fashions with a sunroof all the time struggled for headroom again there.
The brand new mannequin fixes that downside, however maintains helpful 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 flooring is a constructive. Air vents, USB ports, and a fold-down central armrest additionally characteristic. The bench slides to unencumber extra rear legroom.
Entry to the third row is straightforward sufficient, due to 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 automotive.
The roof-mounted air vents are welcome in summer time, and each leg- and headroom are acceptable for kids or small youngsters.
Adults will really feel very cramped again there, however there’s sufficient house to get you from bar-to-bar when the CR-V inevitably hits Uber XL fleets.
Boot house behind the third row is proscribed to 150 litres. You’ll get a few buying baggage in there, however not way more – and Honda has persevered with the annoying dual-level boot insert panel that provides you a flat flooring, however is tough to retailer or conceal.
On the plus aspect, the 1457 litres of boot house on supply with each the third and second rows folded is a correctly flat house.
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 commonplace by way of a continuously-variable transmission (CVT), with on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) accessible as a price choice for the VTi L and as commonplace for the high-grade VTi LX.
Claimed gasoline financial 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 highway, with the onboard journey pc dropping into the 6.0L/100km vary at occasions, 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 while you prod the beginning button, and usually does its work within the background. For those who’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 tougher, making extra noise because the revs flare. Honda’s transmission is a great CVT, mimicking a standard automated while you bury the accelerator by revving all the best way to redline after which faking an upshift, however it might probably’t conceal the actual fact this can be a small engine powering a giant automotive at occasions.
With seven individuals on board it’ll be working exhausting, particularly at 100km/h. With 4 up and their baggage it will get the job accomplished – and it’s a punchier performer than the naturally aspirated engines on supply 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 spoil the trip, as an alternative permitting the automotive 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 massive velocity bumps or crests.
It’s impressively polished at freeway speeds. The trip stays wonderful, though there’s a bit extra highway noise than is right on something lower than good tarmac. It’s a typical grievance we’ve 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 spot to the automotive in entrance, and the energetic lane-centring system is clean when it does determine to nudge you again into line.
Transferring away from the outdated LaneWatch digital camera 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 automotive. 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 cellphone 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 protected?
The brand new Honda CR-V is but to be examined by ANCAP and Euro NCAP.
Normal security options embody:
- 11 airbags
- Honda Sensing
- Ahead collision warning
- Collision mitigation braking system (AEB)
- Lane departure warning
- Lane maintain help
- Highway Departure Mitigation System
- Adaptive cruise management
- Low Pace Comply with
- Site visitors Jam Help
- Low Pace Braking Management
- Site 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 energetic 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 presently capping scheduled upkeep at $199 per go to for the primary 5 scheduled providers for brand new fashions. Intervals are 12 months or 10,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Honda CR-V VTi L7
Honda has fastened most of what was improper with the final CR-V, and constructed on its strengths within the course of.
The brand new inside is extra spacious and splendid than earlier than, and it lastly has an up-to-date know-how suite in keeping with what its massive rivals can supply.
We’ve additionally been exhausting on Honda for its pricing, however the VTi L7 represents wonderful worth.
The one caveat? For those who want all-wheel drive, there’s no skill to mix a seven-seat inside with something however front-wheel drive.
For those who can stay with front-wheel drive although, the CR-V is up there with the category leaders.
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