Honda CR-V long-term test: report 1
Can the latest breed of hybrid SUV cope with a monster commute? Our senior photographer, who previously ran a diesel Honda CR-V, is finding out...
![Honda CR-V](https://media.whatcar.com/fit-in/760x503/wc-image/2019-05/dsc_34561111111.jpg)
The car: Honda CR-V 2.0i-MMD Hybrid 2WD SR eCVT Run by: Will Williams, senior photographer
Why it’s here: To find out if the new breed of hybrid SUVs handle not-very-urban driving
Needs to: Be comfortable, smooth-riding and economical on a colossal commute, with plenty of space for photography equipment
Price £35,570 Price as tested £36,420 Miles 4540 Official economy 49.6mpg (WLTP) Test economy 40.7mpg Options fitted Premium Crystal Red paint (£850)
3 June 2019 – Honda CR-V Hybrid joins our fleet
I’ve been here before. Sort of. A few years ago I ran a Honda CR-V – one of the first models of the previous shape. And I enjoyed my time with it for the most part.
Okay, its 2.2-litre diesel engine and five-speed automatic didn’t exactly set my pants on fire, but I have fond memories all the same, because build quality was impressive, nothing ever went wrong and it generally made life easy.
So now I’ve plumped for its successor, which has a slightly more 2019-appropriate narrative attached to it, because it’s a hybrid. This two-wheel drive SUV gets a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, along with a lithium ion battery stuffed under the boot floor and an electric motor to help propel it along.
![LT Hyundai Ioniq goodbye LT Hyundai Ioniq goodbye](https://media.whatcar.com/wc-image/2019-06/lt_hyundai_ioniq_goodbye.jpg)
I’m no stranger to alternative fuel cars – it wasn’t that long ago I was running the hybrid Hyundai Ioniq (above) – but I’m also not exactly the pin-up boy for them.
You see, any car run by me can expect to relentlessly collect motorway miles – so much so that the odometer resembles the numbers on a slot machine – whereas hybrids have traditionally been at their best in town. So, is the latest Honda tech up to the challenge?
In all honesty, coming from a Volkswagen Amarok pick-up, with its massive 80-litre tank and big pump-to-pump range, I was a little concerned that my desire to go green might come back to bite me. However, even in these early days with the CR-V, I can see those fears were misplaced.
![LT Honda CR-V Hybrid side LT Honda CR-V Hybrid side](https://media.whatcar.com/wc-image/2019-06/dsc_3217_0.jpg)
I’ve even beaten the official average of 49.6mpg on longer runs, and so far I've only needed to put in is 45 litres of petrol. So, you still get a decent range and don’t have to wait ages at the pumps.
I’ve gone for SR trim, which is one down from the range-topper. This adds things like heated front seats, LED front fog lights and passenger seat lumbar support to a list of equipment that already includes a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system, four USB ports and dual-zone climate control along with front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Indeed, the car us so well specced that I only had to dip into the options list to pick out the fetching shade of Premium Crystal Red pearlescent paint (yours for £850).
SR trim also gets an upgraded stereo which makes an awesome sound. However, I’ve had a bit of trouble with the radio; I live in the sticks, and it seems the DAB reception regularly cuts out when you're out of the big smoke.
![LT Honda CR-V Hybrid infotainment system LT Honda CR-V Hybrid infotainment system](https://media.whatcar.com/wc-image/2019-06/dsc_3610.jpg)
Looks are obviously subjective, but to my eyes the latest CR-V looks a lot sleeker than its predecessors. And while I'm less keen on the plastic 'wood' used to decorate the interior, it has a pretty clean design, with just enough buttons and dials to keep things simple, without the dashboard becoming a cluttered mess.
There’s plenty of competition in the large SUV class, including the Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan. But very few offer a hybrid option – it’s really only the Toyota RAV4 that’s a direct rival.
I’m therefore looking forward to seeing whether the CR-V lives up to its early promise. And, with my previous experience, it’ll be interesting to see how far it has come since I last spent time with one.
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