Family road test review of the Honda CR-V in VTi and VTi LX specification

Getting a new Honda could soon be as easy as a trip to the shops ... and the CR-V is worthy of the SUV consideration list

The 2021 model Honda CR-V is a sound and spacious offering from the Japanese brand.

The days of haggling at the dealership appear to be numbered.

Honda rolled out its “one price promise” business model across the country last month. That means you’ll pay the same for a Honda anywhere in the nation.

This is what the Japanese brand calls a transparent and premium buying experience. There’s a big push to online sales as well, with the cars managed in a central location to enabled faster delivery in the colour and specification you’re after.

The CR-V is Honda’s most popular model, so our family took a seven-seater and the range-topper for a spin to see whether the collective experience would put the SUV on our shopping list.

The same drive-away price is available across the Honda range, including the CR-V.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

GRANT: You’re quite the expert on shopping centres. How would you feel about grabbing a new outfit, coffee, then a car?

KEL: There’s nothing wrong with having a passion for retail. For those like me, I can see the benefits of having cars in shopping centres … it would take the hassle away from visiting car yards and I feel like it would be a low-pressure experience.

GRANT: Honda says buying one of its cars is now “joyful”. Does that spring to mind when getting behind the wheel of the CR-V?

KEL: From the outside they look nice and classy. Depending on your angle there are some traditional Japanese sharp lines, but I like that style.

GRANT: These 2021 models were launched late last year, and differentiate from their predecessors via different bumpers and a blackout grille. Improved safety is now standard across the turbocharged range and there is only one naturally aspirated model.

KEL: I like the size of the CR-V, it feels spacious without being cumbersome.

GRANT: The key rivals include the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Subaru’s Forester. We’re sampling the two turbo model spectrums, the seven-seater VTi that starts from $40,300 drive away and the top-shelf VTi LX with all-wheel drive for $53,200 in your garage.

Inside the range-topping 2021 model Honda CR-V VTi LX.

LIVING SPACE

KEL: Conservative yet easy to use, the cabin design uses a dark colour palette with some silver and glossy highlights to break things up across the dash.

GRANT: Dual-zone aircon and the central seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard. Some of the graphics and operations look and feel antiquated, so those smartphone mirroring apps really modernise the infotainment.

KEL: Spotify has changed my life and I never listen to the radio anymore, so CarPlay has become my default.

GRANT: There are no heated seats or anything too flashy in the VTi. The LX has leather trim (with heated front chairs), power tailgate and a wireless phone charger, but you would need to buy a rubber-backed phone case as my device kept sliding off around corners.

KEL: It was easy access to plug into the USBs upfront, and the cup holders in the console are adaptable and able to handle larger drink bottles. I’m a left-hander so I don’t like to use the slots in the doors.

GRANT: The design is a little different with the shifter placed higher toward the dash rather than in the centre. It’s not ergonomically difficult and the benefit is extra storage space.

While the Honda CR-V VTi LX has wireless phone charging, the lack of pad traction can see devices slide off around corners.

THE COMMUTE

KEL: “Turbo” is featured on the boot badge, but there isn’t much of a whoosh when you plant your foot.

GRANT: Modern turbos aren’t like the old days. Now they are partnered to small capacity engines and deliver fuel efficiency and linear power.

KEL: With Eco mode engaged via the button with the small tree on the dash, the CR-V may have been pleasing the greenies yet it felt a little slow.

GRANT: That mode is probably best left to cruising. The four-cylinder engine is solid and reliable without feeling too inspiring. Around town it does the job without frustration and the gear shifts are timely even though it uses a continuously variable transmission – most keen drivers aren’t a fan of those gearboxes because they can be slow to react and noisy.

KEL: There’s a good view from the driver’s seat and the driving experience was quiet. One omission in the VTi was auto lights. I can’t remember the last time I had to turn them on and off manually in modern cars.

GRANT: We’re spoiled. At least it has push-button start in all turbo models, so you never have to turn a key again.

All seats folded in the seven-seat version of the 2021 Honda CR-V.

THE SHOPPING

KEL: Light steering made parking easy. The reversing camera is good, but I noticed there were no parking ensors on the VTi.

GRANT: The rear sensors are an option on that variant, although standard on the up-spec models. Despite the LX having a cool camera view projected onto the central screen to show vision on the left-hand side of the car when you indicate, blind spot warning or rear-cross traffic alert isn’t on any CR-V.

KEL: That’s disappointing, I particularly find rear cross traffic alert a really good feature to help warn of oncoming traffic when reversing from parks and you’re blinded by concrete pillars and other cars.

GRANT: Boot space is impressive. There’s more than 500 litres in the five-seater models with the ability to drop the rear seats 60-40, and the seven-seat variants aren’t dramatically less.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

SUNDAY RUN

KEL: Cruising is what the CR-V does best. The highway travels were easy and it feels comfortable in just about all conditions.

GRANT: The engine and transmission combination doesn’t inspire pushing the driving envelope, yet that’s beyond the CR-V’s remit. One massive benefit is the inclusion of a full-size spare – that’s becoming a rarity as manufacturers choose boot space and use speed limited space-saver tyres or repair kits.

KEL: I didn’t notice too much difference between the two in terms of dynamics.

GRANT: All-wheel drive comes with the LX model and offers better grip in slippery conditions.

Classy external lines are a feature of the Honda CR-V.

THE FAMILY

KEL: Having the option of seven seats is always good. The limited knee and leg room in the third row would make it difficult for adults – kids are fine.

GRANT: The CR-Vs offer impressive interior space. Head, leg and knee room is generous in the first two rows, and I love how the rear doors open 90-degrees – parents getting young kids in and out of car seats will appreciate the functionality.

KEL: All Hondas have a five-year warranty, which is what I expect nowadays.

GRANT: Among the big wins for the family budget is servicing. The first five standard services are $625 all up, with maintenance needed annually or every 10,000km.

KEL: That’s cheap, you’d pay that for one service with some other brands.

GRANT: And even though the engines are turbocharged they can still run on the less expensive RON91 unleaded. Our average fuel consumption in the VTi 2WD was 7.7L/100km, while the LX AWD was 8.1L.

Average fuel consumption of the Honda CR-V during our tests were about eight litres for every 100km.

THE VERDICT

KEL: The CR-V is a sensible SUV with plenty to love. Excellent interior space, a massive boot and a no-fuss driving experience would make it a sound choice for families.

GRANT: Some missing safety features aren’t a deal breaker. The CR-V is a confident package but does battle to keep pace with some competitors in terms of performance and features.

Originally published as Family road test review of the Honda CR-V in VTi and VTi LX specification