verdict
The fact that Honda is set to kill off the CR-V Mk5 very soon shouldn’t dissuade you from buying one, as Driver Power’s latest survey illustrates all too well. Admittedly, the CR-V is no bargain, but that’s true of any decent car on the used market right now. And there’s no denying that this Honda crossover is an excellent off-roader that’s easy to live with thanks to its excellent reliability record, spacious interior and user-friendly cabin design. However, the model range isn’t that wide and the CR-V is in a hotly contested segment, so while we wouldn’t steer you away from the Honda, we’d suggest trying an alternative or two to make sure that buy the right SUV for your needs.
It’s been almost three decades since the original Honda CR-V was introduced. Launched in 1995, it was Honda’s first SUV, and was available with an optional boot-mounted shower, but only with a petrol engine. The car proved very popular, and Honda built on that success with an all-new CR-V in 2001, which was available with diesel power for the first time.
When the fifth-generation CR-V arrived in 2018, it was available with seven seats and a hybrid powertrain. But this year the CR-V Mk5 will be replaced by a larger model, leaving a smaller ZR-V to fill the space left by the outgoing CR-V, a car that still has a lot to offer despite its age.
history
The fifth-generation CR-V went on sale in the UK in November 2018, with a choice of four trim levels but just one engine – a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol unit with 170bhp . This was available with a choice of front or all-wheel drive, with the latter being transmitted with either manual or automatic gearboxes; all front-wheel drive cars came with a manual gearbox.
Within three months, the lineup had been bolstered by the addition of a 2.0-liter hybrid engine option. This was only offered with an automatic transmission, but once again buyers could choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. As of November 2020, the CR-V was only available in e:HEV hybrid form, and at the same time the car’s suspension was recalibrated to improve ride and handling while strengthening the body.
Which one should I buy?
The hybrid isn’t as peppy as the 1.5 Turbo, but it’s potentially more frugal, depending on your driving style; if you do a lot of stop/start driving, you are likely to lower your fuel bills. Seven-seaters are very rare, hybrids have a meager towing limit, and three-quarters of CR-Vs have all-wheel drive, making it slightly less economical than the front-wheel-drive alternative.
The entry-level S gets 17-inch alloys (18s on the hybrid), automatic LED headlights, climate control and adaptive cruise control. The SE trim adds automatic wipers, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, plus a rearview camera and navigation. The SR gets leather trim, heated front seats and keyless entry, while the EX includes 19-inch wheels (18-inch on Hybrid), a panoramic glass roof, heated steering wheel and rear seats, plus ‘an electric tailgate.
Alternatives to the Honda CR-V
The enormous popularity of mid-size SUVs means that most automakers offer at least one. Some of the CR-V’s obvious rivals include the Ford Kuga, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, while other crossovers we find easy to recommend are the Peugeot 3008, SEAT Ateca, Toyota RAV4 and Vauxhall Grandland.
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They’re all from major brands, so there’s plenty on offer, but if you want something more premium, you might consider the hybrid-only Lexus NX or the ultra-safe Volvo XC60. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio and MG HS are less obvious choices than the VW Tiguan, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar and Skoda Karoq. Also consider the BMW X2/X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC. You’re not short of options in this segment.
what to look for
spare wheel
Hybrid CR-Vs can’t store a space saver (unless it’s hidden in the trunk, which reduces cargo capacity), so they have a tire repair kit.
seats
Front-wheel-drive CR-Vs, hybrids, and some CR-Vs had five seats, but the 1.5-liter AWD model was available in seven-seat form, though that’s rare.
problems
The UK-based CR-V forums are very quiet, but some US owners are reporting faulty air conditioning and petrol-diluting engine oil in the 1.5 Turbo models.
trailer
Honda offered two types of factory-installed towbars: a detachable unit and a retractable unit, but the latter could not be installed on the hybrid.
common faults
Homeowners are generally a pretty satisfied bunch when it comes to reliability, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for interiors that have seen hard use, whether by families or outdoorsmen and the like. But it’s a Honda, so well-maintained examples abound.
interior
Compared to previous CR-Vs, this generation has taken a significant step forward in terms of cabin quality and design, with first-class materials generally on display.
Comfort levels are also high, with excellent seats and plenty of room for five people; The seven seats are quite cramped, but you are unlikely to find one.
Boot space is excellent for the 1.5 Turbo at 561 liters (1,756 with the seats folded), but this drops to 497/1,697 liters in the hybrid edition.
Prices
We found nearly 500 used CR-Vs for sale, four-fifths of which were hybrid editions; the other fifth were 1.5 liter petrol models.
Visit our sister site Buyacar for a great deal on a used Honda CR-V or to check prices on a specific model, go to our assessment tool.
Operating costs
All CR-Vs must be serviced every 12 months or 12,500 miles, whether powered by the 1.5-liter turbo engine or the 2.0-liter hybrid. There isn’t much variation in maintenance costs over the first three years, with the first three services priced at £285, £355 and £335. Once a CR-V has reached its fourth birthday, the service schedule alternates between minor and major, and these are priced at £235 and £345 respectively.
In addition, the brake fluid needs to be changed every three years at a cost of £92, while the coolant needs to be changed every 10 years or 125,000 miles; budget £130 to do it. If you buy a CR-V that has all-wheel drive, you’ll need to fork out £110 to renew the rear differential fluid every eight years or 75,000 miles. All CR-V engines are chain driven, so there are no cam belts to replace.
remember
Use the government’s official online recall checker (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) and you might think the fifth-generation CR-V has been the subject of several recent recalls. In fact, however, most of the warnings issued since this model’s arrival have been for older CR-Vs, some of which were made as far back as 2000.
Actually, as of late 2018, only one recall has been issued that applies to this CR-V, and that came out in August 2020. The warning affected some CR-Vs built before March of 2019, which were equipped with faulty fuel pumps. on the production line. This could cause the engine to become starved of gas, which in turn could cause the engine to stall or become slow to start. The solution was to install a new fuel pump.
Driver power owner satisfaction
The CR-V Mk5 didn’t make it into our 2022 used car poll (the Mk4 did, at 11th place) but it came an impressive seventh in last year’s new car poll . The most impressive scores include top five interior quality finishes, safety features, engine and transmission, all-round visibility, rear seat legroom and brakes. Owners are not as impressed with the high running costs, nor with some elements of the board and fixture design.
Do you want to sell your current car quickly and at a good price? We’ve teamed up with Motorway to bring you the best deal from their UK dealer network…
