The CR-V is Honda’s premiere family load-lugger and consequently it benefits from an array of standard design features that will be appreciated by adults and children alike. One of the elements Honda’s engineers repeatedly get right is the insistence on ‘usable details’; doors that open almost ninety degrees means wrestling a car seat into position complete with a child’s flailing arms is made all the more easy, for example.
As is the way of all cars in recent years, the latest generation CR-V is a sizeable beast – it’s the first time the model has been available with seven seats, but it is worth noting that the Hybrid variant doesn’t come with that option. Instead, what would accommodate the third row of seats houses a battery. It’s a noteworthy loss for the Hybrid, but unless you really need seven seats, it isn’t a deal breaker and contraception is the cheaper option.
CR-V Hybrid customers need to choose whether they’ll require two- or four-wheel drive. My suggestion is not to over estimate one’s field-going exercises and to stick with two driven wheels, as, unless you live in the outer Hebrides, you’ll never likely need all-wheel drive performance, plus it’s a marginally less economical option too. However, if you’re the lucky/lazy type who always defaults to the top-spec offering, then all-wheel drive must be checked to unlock the top-of-the-range EX trim. This comes with a host of niceties, including an opening glass roof and heated steering wheel plus heated rear seats – but again, these latter additions aren’t likely requirements of the average individual and are likely only to be appreciated by those living in remote or cooler climes than Kent. But, you get what you pay for and all-wheel drive EX models command a £4,210 premium over the lower-grade SR trim.
Putting money where the mouth is, our car on test is a two-wheel drive SR model in Modern Steel Metallic paint (£550). We’ve chosen a rather kid-unfriendly ivory leather option – which adds a certain ambient light to the interior that’s otherwise lost by the sombre black default. But, each to their own.
With an already hedonistic spec-sheet, which I’ll get to in another instalment, there are few options worth adding with most focusing on appearance rather than function. If you need to tow, however, there are two options of either a retractable or detachable tow bar. Fortunately, unlike other unfathomable options lists, choosing the Honda CR-V won’t add to the stresses of family life.
The cost of our CR-V Hybrid SR including options? £36,890, or £290 per month on a PCP finance deal (with the usual deposit and terms etc).
