Summary
The Honda CR-V is a medium-sized SUV/crossover, available with either a petrol engine or a petrol-electric hybrid power unit. This model was launched in 2018, with the hybrid model arriving in the UK in early 2019. It ended production in 2023, being replaced by an all-new model.
The CR-V received consistently good reviews from the UK automotive media, with the hybrid model generally getting slightly better scores than the petrol version.
All models received praise for their spaciousness and practicality – Heycar called the CR-V “an utterly dependable SUV that’ll tick a lot of boxes for a lot of buyers”. Auto Trader also commended the CR-V for its generous list of safety features, while Which? recommended the SUV to its readers due to it being “incredibly easy to drive”.
On the other hand, Carwow commented that the interior quality of the CR-V is cheap in places, and the SUV is fitted with “one of the worst infotainment systems on sale”. Other outlets said that the lack of a diesel option would deter some buyers, and that the rear seats in the seven-seat models were quite cramped.
No longer on sale, the Honda CR-V has a Used Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 69%. It gets good grades for its solid reliability record and low running costs, but its media reviews, safety score and CO2 emissions are all only average.
- Honda CR-V (2023 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Honda Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
CR-V highlights
- Spacious and practical cabin
- Plenty of safety equipment
- Relaxing driving experience
- Good amount of boot space
CR-V lowlights
- Impractical infotainment
- Limit range of powertrains
- Seven-seat setup limits passenger space
- Interior materials are cheap in places
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, hybrid
Price: From £32,815 on-road
Launched: Summer 2018
Last updated: Spring 2019
Replacemed: Autumn 2023
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: CR-V Hybrid
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Looking for an SUV with lots of space and comfort? Not particularly bothered about being excited behind the wheel but just need to get where you’re going without drama? The Honda CR-V Hybrid could be for you.”
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“The CR-V is a decent car to drive with an experience which is neither awful nor write-home exceptional. As far as all-rounders go, it’s pretty well-rounded indeed.”
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Auto Express
Score: 8 / 10
“Updated Honda CR-V is more luxurious and just as practical as before, but has no diesel option and thirsty petrol engines.”
Model reviewed: CR-V Hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Honda CR-V Hybrid is smooth, refined and economical, but PCP costs make it hard to recommend over its rivals.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“There are more spacious seven-seat crossovers than the Honda CR-V but, in standard five-seat guise, it’s a roomy and practical family car blessed with great reliability and a relaxing, refined character. It’s also very safe, with an impressive package of driver assistance functions fitted as standard.”
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Car
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Honda CR-V is not an exciting car, by any means. But it is a good one. It quietly gets on with the job, and does it very well.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“Honda has moved the latest CR-V forwards leaps and bounds with its stylish design and high-quality interior, which is also very well-equipped. The 1.5-litre engine is also a great unit, and despite being a bit thirsty, it’s a convincing alternative to other diesel models.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: CR-V Hybrid
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Clever fuel-saving technology makes the hybrid our favourite CR-V.” (Andy Goodwin)
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Score: 8 / 10
“The latest Honda CR-V shuns diesel in favour of petrol and hybrid engines. It now has five or seven seats and improved safety technology as standard”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Honda CR-V is spacious, has a big boot and is comfortable in town, but its quality is questionable in areas and it has one of the worst infotainment systems on sale.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid SR
Score: 7.9 / 10
“Honda is playing to a company car audience with the new CR-V Hybrid, offering low emissions figures, masses of practicality and good spec if you go as high as the SR trim.”
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Daily Mail
Model reviewed: CR-V Hybrid
“Although not a fully electric car, it feels like one. Think of it more as an electric car with a petrol engine on board.”
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“Were you to compare Honda’s family favourite CR-V to a music genre, it would be easy listening. It’s comfortable, conservative, cosseting and roomy, but that doesn’t make it bland — rather it’s an engaging drive.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: Hybrid
Score: 10 / 10
“I have to admit, I’d not been sure about hybrids until I drove the Honda CR-V. And, I must tell you, if we were in the market for buying an SUV, this would now be at the very top of our list.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid SR
Score: 7 / 10
“‘Unremarkable’ is the word best used to describe the Honda CR-V Hybrid but as petrol-electric SUVs go it is comfy, practical, spacious and packed with tech.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Hybrid EX
Score: 8 / 10
“The Honda CR-V Hybrid is decent to drive overall, with a particularly comfortable ride, but the hybrid system doesn’t operate on electric power as much as its rival the Toyota RAV4, and the result of this is shown in the real-world economy figure of the CR-V being considerably lower than that of the RAV4.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Honda CR-V is an utterly dependable SUV that’ll tick a lot of boxes for a lot of buyers. We like how comfortable it is, while there’s enough space for most families. The lack of a diesel engine limits its market quite significantly, but the petrol and hybrid offerings are pretty good.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: CR-V Hybrid
“The Honda CR-V hybrid is a lovely thing to drive. Pleasant and calming, yet with enough handling and performance to be hustled along quickly. It’s roomy, fine riding and even has wide opening doors and flat seats that make ingress and egress pain-free for the elderly.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“On first impressions, Honda has done an excellent job of recreating the world’s best-selling SUV. Smooth, comfortable, safe completely up to date and a pleasure both to ride in and drive.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Practical family SUV is refined and good to drive”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: CR-V Hybrid
“The single-speed transmission can drone on a bit when you boot the throttle, the satnav unit is dated and the boot has shrunk to make space for the battery pack. Despite this, the CR-V Hybrid remains an extremely spacious, well finished and comfortable SUV.”
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“As if it wasn’t big enough already, Honda’s uber reliable sports utility now boasts an interior the size of a small cathedral.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: CR-V Hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The family favourite gets a surprisingly fun-to-drive hybrid.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Hybrid SE 2WD
Score: 6 / 10
“Its small boot and keening engine mean this isn’t quite the full diesel replacement Honda would like you to believe it is, but the CR-V Hybrid is nonetheless a smooth, slick and well-built SUV that should appeal if you’re keen to ditch diesel.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual
Score: 6 / 10
“Competent and not unattractive, the petrol-only CR-V plays to Honda’s strengths with transatlantic styling, easy-to-use features and familiarity, but this market has moved on apace and this new CR-V hasn’t kept up.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“The fifth generation CR-V gets a lot of things right. Keep the spec down, decide whether you need 4WD or 2, make sure you tick the box for Apple CarPlay and unless you’re really of an eco mindset, stick with the simple drivetrain. You’ll have all the car you could ever need.”
Read review
Score: 7 / 10
“CR-V is far from exciting but remains one of the most sensible buys in this sector.”
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: February 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 76%
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Honda CR-V was not lab-tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 72
Average repair cost: £594.29
Last updated: April 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Honda CR-V has a better-than-average reliability score of 77% as of April 2024, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This covers both this model and previous (pre-2018) generations.
Most repair bills are fair to good, although fuel system repairs have been surprisingly expensive, with an average repair cost of more than £1,600.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 41 mpg | D | 38 – 43 mpg | C – D |
Diesel models | 35 mpg | D | 32 – 39 mpg | D – E |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 156 g/km | B | 151 – 168 g/km | B – C |
Diesel models | 186 g/km | C | 166 – 201 g/km | C – D |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 23 | B | 22 – 25 | A – B |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £176 | A |
Year 2 | £449 | A |
Year 3 | £752 | A |
Year 4 | £956 | A |
Year 5 | £1,334 | A |
Overall | £3,667 | A |
The Honda CR-V is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Servicing and maintenance costs are good for the first five years, while insurance is also better than average. Fuel consumption is poor on both petrol and diesel models, however.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Honda Civic has received
2023
- Auto Trader Awards – Best Hybrid
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More information
More news, reviews and information about the Honda CR-V at The Car Expert
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