Already have a pre-order in for the VTi LX but definitely would've jumped on a hybrid if it had an AWD option. Makes little sense that AWD is offered only on petrol, especially given that Hybrid AWD exists in Thailand where these are manufactured. That being said, I did test drive the VTi LX and despite having a poor impression on CVTs in general, I was pleasantly surprised. It definitely felt smoother than the hesitant DCTs found in the Tucson and Sportage (at least from my experience).
360 camera and ventilated seats I would have liked to see but I put a deposit on it anyway because it was so nice to have a SUV that doesn't engulf you like a bathtub. I totally agree I was testing both the ZRV and the CRV only main selling point was how lovely it was inside. Very excited for my own RS
Just had one of these (HEV, AWD) as a rental in the US, did ~5500km over 3wks. 1. I would prefer the regular gear shifter on the Aus car, the US car had press buttons and slider buttons, each different for the P-D-R-Pk Brake functions, after 5000km still hadnt got it right all the time... grrr. 2. CVT makes engine sound "thrashy" above 100kph and up hills. I got 6.3 l/100km over range of freeway and hilly country usually at 100 -120 kph. 3. I was impressed by the interior room, nice and wide, felt like a larger car.
I was waiting to see if the RS has a sunroof, the website isn't clear about it. It also doesn't make sense that Honda source the CRV from Thailand and yet doesn't get the best variants. I reckon they should had brought the AWD E:Hev RS from Thailand instead of FWD. Awesome thorough review as always! Will book a test drive for this once its available.
The good news is that the panoramic roof is standard of the VTi L7, VTi LX and e:HEV RS in Australia. While the absence of an AWD hybrid in Australia is a bit of a head-scratcher, Aus-delivered cars are generally a higher spec than their Thai-market equivalents, so it's a little give and take from product planners to get the balance right for Australia. - Kez
Honda Hybrid use a different AWD system compared to Toyota’s THS, which it drives its rear wheel by a driveshaft on demand instead of a electric motor on Toyota. Personally I prefer the FWD we have in Oz since a driveshaft to the rear on a hybrid is kinda dumb…
@AkshatKalra-xc4cv Ignite Red on the CR-V is a bright shade of red, and not even close to a maroon (like you'd get on a ZR-V in Premium Crystal Garnet). I'd suggest checking it out in person if you can though, as it's a metallic paint, and can vary in different light.
I was keen on this car, hybrid model until I found that the hybrid is fwd, no spare and cost $60k. I mean 60k and not even AWD! Also it's 10,000km/12 months servicing. Because of these it's a no from me.
not making the hybrid tech available only on the range topper is a big fail fail for me part reason for toyotas success and Havel is that hybrid is available through out the grades
they are different Hybrid tech. the X-Trail E:Power engine is basically a generator for the inverter which feeds the battery which in turns supply electricity to the electric motors whereas the Honda E-Hev is similar to the Rav4 Hybrid technology, the engine supplys recharge to the battery and electric motor. where they share tech is in re-gen braking.
Honda's might be one of the simplest systems to engage. If you hit the limiter/cruise control button it cycles though three modes: speed limiter, auto speed limiter (which takes data from camera recognition), and adaptive cruise control. Quick and easy to cycle between, and from the limited time we had with the car the speed sign recognition seemed to be pretty accurate. We'll delve further into some of the more advanced systems as we get cars through on week-long loans, but the cruise control didn't hit the brakes on moderate curves, and while it does chime if it overruns the set limiter, it doesn't have the sensitivity of something like Hyundai and Kias system, not does it chime if you have the limiter off. - Kez
That's not really an excuse though. Plenty of other brands don't offer lane watch, but do offer 360-degree cameras. I didn't always find Honda's lane watch the best implementation (I think the Hyundai-Kia version in the instrument cluster is a more elegant solution) but for checking your surrounds while parking a 360-degree camera adds both safety and convenience. - Kez
One of the best car reviews I’ve ever seen! Car is a great car ! Massive upgrade! Good job Honda. Engine and gearbox otherwise may have been a huge downfall. Otherwise mint review ! Mint car !
Next to the 1st gen (in its time) this is the best looking of CR-V. Good they brought back the no-frills, no-curves, no-chrome (well hardly any) design. It was as if Honda targeted a specific female demographic for 23 years.
At the launch event Honda had a first-generation CR-V parked next to the new model, and you can really see that the design of this new car harks back to the squarer first and second-gen models. - Kez
I've been waiting over 6 months for a top-spec Nissan X-Trail hybrid, and this Honda hybrid is tempting but when it is missing important stuff included in the X-Trail (AWD, 360° camera, head-up display, rear seat climate control, rear window shades, non-black interior, etc), I think the Nissan is a better value proposition.
Yep. And add to the list the absence of even a space saver tyre and 7-seat option in the hybrid. All these makes me pretty hesitant in making a purchase decision.
I'll skip all of that just for the driving experience. Xtrails feel terrible to drive leased one recently and I wouldn't touch one. The Honda feels much tighter Honda's have always been amazing to drive. You can have all the features in the world but I'll take a more comfortable ride anyday
Test drove hybrid last weekend. Its missing many basic features compared to to its rivals offerig. No heads up display, no 360 degree camera, small infotainment screen, very slow wireless charger, does not offer AWD option in hybrid model, no sunshades in back row seats, big traditional looking gear shaft handle in the cabin instead of modern looking gear shaft buttons. X trail hybrid is way better car than this, IMO.
Am upgrading from 2017 model. To hybrid against Kia Gt Line tough choice Honda less spec and non auto folding mirrors and lack of cameras. Honda conservative however bulletproof V new age styling and more features at similar price
Honda Aus didn't give any reason for only bringing the front-wheel drive hybrid, but it is available with all-wheel drive overseas. We just miss out on that model here. - Kez
and only FWD, no foglights, smaller infotainment screen, half digital cluster, no sun shades on rear, no triple climate control for more price then top spec eforce xtrail, but looks sexy af have to admit!!!
I still can't understand why Honda persists on using that gutless 1.5L turbo engine. You have to rev it's nuts off to make it move and you only claim 7.1L per 100ks at best. My 2016 CR-V with the 2.4L does 6.5L per 100ks all day without having to push it over 3500 rpm to get it up to highway speed quickly. No chance I'll be upgrading my CR-V until Honda puts a decent engine under the bonnet and gets rid of the CVT Gearbox.
We've asked, and asked, and asked. Toyota can't even get their hands on one. Of course, we won't stop. We'll keep asking and will bring you a review as soon as we're able.
To me not having a 360 View Camera is game changer as well, especially when this feature is there on all other competitors models (At least on higher spec grade). Also the another biggest led down for me is lack of lumbar support function (At least for drivers seat).
Wifey has a 2018 Mazda3 Astina. Its 6 speed auto is a flawless unit. That said I have an older Estima V6, also with a 6 speed and it is likewise very good. I think CVT works for hybrid but not a fan with a standard ICE
I think I can see your thinking here, but the CR-V hybrid's E-CVT isn't transmissionless like a Nissan e-Power hybrid, rather it uses a dedicated geartrain for the electric motor and petrol engine and can operate via a constant power split, rather than a sliding ratio (as in a regular CVT) for the times it needs to vary the inputs of either. A lockup clutch allows a wider range of petrol engine drive, but the electric-first operation means in most driving situations the system works in series, with the petrol engines feeding the battery, and the the battery driving the traction motor, which turns the front wheels directly, but it can operate in parallel mode as needed. I hope that helps clear things up a touch. 😉 - Kez
@@Drivecomau , Hi Kez. The electric drive motor is directly driving the driven gear through its output shaft. This a single ratio and the petrol motor only drives the driven gear (and consequently the wheels) once the clutch is engaged. The ratio for the petrol motor is roughly that of a 6th gear in a manual gearbox which is why the motor only drives directly when the speed is sufficient to cover that gear ratio. Otherwise the petrol motor is driving the generator to supply the drive motor directly with power or the battery or a combination. Either way there are no gear ratio changes and no CVT. What sounds like gear changes in the cabin is purely synthetic! Hard to believe but true. I have the ZRV hybrid which is the exact same powertrain but the driven gear and the electric motor drive gear has a slightly different ratio to take to torque from 315nm to 335 nm.
Yeah, This channel is not the only Aussie car review channel to make reference to a CVT or e-CVT being used for the CR-V e-HEV. Doing a quick web search produces a Hondanews article called “Honda Two-Motor Hybrid-Electric System”. It says the 2023 CR-V e-hev has: 1/ a 1-speed electric motor for propulsion. 2/ It has an electric generator for recharging the hybrid battery. 3/ It has an Atkinson cycle internal combustion engine that: - spins the generator to recharge the hybrid battery. - uses a low-speed gear set via one lock-up clutch to drive the driven wheels at low / urban speeds. - uses another gear set via another lock-up clutch to drive the driven wheels at highway speeds. So as far as transmissions go: - The propulsion motor is single speed (one ratio). - The engine is 2-speed to the driven wheels. There doesn’t seem to be anything Continuously Variable about the transmission ratios for the engine driving the wheels.
It might not be your first choice of transmission, but I reckon once you get behind the wheel you could be convinced. The shabby reputation of CVTs is fast changing. - Kez
@@BaronvonOldenbikerThat's not true, not sure what you were driving, reliability not a issue, used by Toyota etc..DSG have a lot more issues and can be clunky
Already have a pre-order in for the VTi LX but definitely would've jumped on a hybrid if it had an AWD option. Makes little sense that AWD is offered only on petrol, especially given that Hybrid AWD exists in Thailand where these are manufactured.
That being said, I did test drive the VTi LX and despite having a poor impression on CVTs in general, I was pleasantly surprised. It definitely felt smoother than the hesitant DCTs found in the Tucson and Sportage (at least from my experience).
Yeah, really don't get it why they don't offer AWD on the hybrid in Australia
360 camera and ventilated seats I would have liked to see but I put a deposit on it anyway because it was so nice to have a SUV that doesn't engulf you like a bathtub. I totally agree I was testing both the ZRV and the CRV only main selling point was how lovely it was inside. Very excited for my own RS
Hi, I'm thinking of buying one, can you please share your experiences? Thank you 😊
Awesome car, it’s arrived within 3 weeks from order, I did not expect that at all. Great to drive and looks sharp. Tons of space in 7 seater.
My Honda Centre recently spruiked an $1800 offer on HRV. Is this the beginning of the end of fixed pricing?
Love the design, very handsome
How’s the traction control on 2WD, is the AWD worthwhile?
Just had one of these (HEV, AWD) as a rental in the US, did ~5500km over 3wks.
1. I would prefer the regular gear shifter on the Aus car, the US car had press buttons and slider buttons, each different for the P-D-R-Pk Brake functions, after 5000km still hadnt got it right all the time... grrr.
2. CVT makes engine sound "thrashy" above 100kph and up hills. I got 6.3 l/100km over range of freeway and hilly country usually at 100 -120 kph.
3. I was impressed by the interior room, nice and wide, felt like a larger car.
I bought the Hybrid CR-V in the US.. it is a great car and it feel like driving EV at the start .
Hi i would like to know which trim this is because i want to buy my mom this because she loves it
may be the best looking SUV
I was waiting to see if the RS has a sunroof, the website isn't clear about it. It also doesn't make sense that Honda source the CRV from Thailand and yet doesn't get the best variants. I reckon they should had brought the AWD E:Hev RS from Thailand instead of FWD. Awesome thorough review as always! Will book a test drive for this once its available.
The good news is that the panoramic roof is standard of the VTi L7, VTi LX and e:HEV RS in Australia. While the absence of an AWD hybrid in Australia is a bit of a head-scratcher, Aus-delivered cars are generally a higher spec than their Thai-market equivalents, so it's a little give and take from product planners to get the balance right for Australia. - Kez
Honda Hybrid use a different AWD system compared to Toyota’s THS, which it drives its rear wheel by a driveshaft on demand instead of a electric motor on Toyota.
Personally I prefer the FWD we have in Oz since a driveshaft to the rear on a hybrid is kinda dumb…
RS has a sunroof :)
@AkshatKalra-xc4cv Ignite Red on the CR-V is a bright shade of red, and not even close to a maroon (like you'd get on a ZR-V in Premium Crystal Garnet). I'd suggest checking it out in person if you can though, as it's a metallic paint, and can vary in different light.
I was keen on this car, hybrid model until I found that the hybrid is fwd, no spare and cost $60k. I mean 60k and not even AWD! Also it's 10,000km/12 months servicing. Because of these it's a no from me.
The honda hybrid is thirsty. Not sure why. The ZRV we test drove had 6.9L per 100. I assume this would be more given the extra weight.
Just bought the hybrid last Dec. I'm on 6.1L/100km. Hope it helps 😊
not making the hybrid tech available only on the range topper is a big fail fail for me part reason for toyotas success and Havel is that hybrid is available through out the grades
How was Honda crv E:Hev compare Nissan X Trail e power ?
they are different Hybrid tech.
the X-Trail E:Power engine is basically a generator for the inverter which feeds the battery which in turns supply electricity to the electric motors whereas the Honda E-Hev is similar to the Rav4 Hybrid technology, the engine supplys recharge to the battery and electric motor. where they share tech is in re-gen braking.
what about all the nag chimes? CC ,speed recognition, around curves does it hit the brakes ?
Honda's might be one of the simplest systems to engage. If you hit the limiter/cruise control button it cycles though three modes: speed limiter, auto speed limiter (which takes data from camera recognition), and adaptive cruise control. Quick and easy to cycle between, and from the limited time we had with the car the speed sign recognition seemed to be pretty accurate. We'll delve further into some of the more advanced systems as we get cars through on week-long loans, but the cruise control didn't hit the brakes on moderate curves, and while it does chime if it overruns the set limiter, it doesn't have the sensitivity of something like Hyundai and Kias system, not does it chime if you have the limiter off. - Kez
@@Drivecomau ok appreciated kez
I was waiting for this
Thai model has lane watch with 360, AU model has blind spot monitoring hence no 360
That's not really an excuse though. Plenty of other brands don't offer lane watch, but do offer 360-degree cameras. I didn't always find Honda's lane watch the best implementation (I think the Hyundai-Kia version in the instrument cluster is a more elegant solution) but for checking your surrounds while parking a 360-degree camera adds both safety and convenience. - Kez
One of the best car reviews I’ve ever seen!
Car is a great car ! Massive upgrade! Good job Honda. Engine and gearbox otherwise may have been a huge downfall.
Otherwise mint review !
Mint car !
Glad you liked the review! The new CR-V is a big leap forward over the previous generation. Honda has done a really good job on this one
Next to the 1st gen (in its time) this is the best looking of CR-V. Good they brought back the no-frills, no-curves, no-chrome (well hardly any) design. It was as if Honda targeted a specific female demographic for 23 years.
At the launch event Honda had a first-generation CR-V parked next to the new model, and you can really see that the design of this new car harks back to the squarer first and second-gen models. - Kez
For me it’s between the RAV4 and CRV
Yeahhh mate..nice crv e hev..CVT transmission..I WANNA BUY..
I've been waiting over 6 months for a top-spec Nissan X-Trail hybrid, and this Honda hybrid is tempting but when it is missing important stuff included in the X-Trail (AWD, 360° camera, head-up display, rear seat climate control, rear window shades, non-black interior, etc), I think the Nissan is a better value proposition.
Indeed.
Yep. And add to the list the absence of even a space saver tyre and 7-seat option in the hybrid. All these makes me pretty hesitant in making a purchase decision.
I'll skip all of that just for the driving experience. Xtrails feel terrible to drive leased one recently and I wouldn't touch one. The Honda feels much tighter Honda's have always been amazing to drive. You can have all the features in the world but I'll take a more comfortable ride anyday
@@brett8445my exact words when I test drove the CRV hybrid
@@brett8445 driven both Xtrail hybrid is just as good tbh if not much better and better hybrid drivetrain too.
Test drove hybrid last weekend. Its missing many basic features compared to to its rivals offerig.
No heads up display, no 360 degree camera, small infotainment screen, very slow wireless charger, does not offer AWD option in hybrid model, no sunshades in back row seats, big traditional looking gear shaft handle in the cabin instead of modern looking gear shaft buttons. X trail hybrid is way better car than this, IMO.
Nissan Xtrail get it
No cooked seats or electric passenger seat meh
Cooled not cooked 😂
E-CVT for the hybrid. Not CVT
Am upgrading from 2017 model. To hybrid against Kia Gt Line tough choice Honda less spec and non auto folding mirrors and lack of cameras. Honda conservative however bulletproof V new age styling and more features at similar price
why is the hybrid only fwd?
Honda Aus didn't give any reason for only bringing the front-wheel drive hybrid, but it is available with all-wheel drive overseas. We just miss out on that model here.
- Kez
Too expensive ... $67k nzd yet still missing heads up display and 360 cam👎
Not to mention, blind spot monitor+rear traffic alert
and only FWD, no foglights, smaller infotainment screen, half digital cluster, no sun shades on rear, no triple climate control for more price then top spec eforce xtrail, but looks sexy af have to admit!!!
When will Honda leave Australia market? I guess very soon 😂
Russel Square
I still can't understand why Honda persists on using that gutless 1.5L turbo engine. You have to rev it's nuts off to make it move and you only claim 7.1L per 100ks at best. My 2016 CR-V with the 2.4L does 6.5L per 100ks all day without having to push it over 3500 rpm to get it up to highway speed quickly. No chance I'll be upgrading my CR-V until Honda puts a decent engine under the bonnet and gets rid of the CVT Gearbox.
13.05 - Couldn't they tuck that exhaust much neater. Looks like sagging too low. Spoil the whole look of a nice car.
Yet no Australian auto reviewers have actually reviewed the latest RAV. 😂
We've asked, and asked, and asked. Toyota can't even get their hands on one. Of course, we won't stop. We'll keep asking and will bring you a review as soon as we're able.
you can have hybrid or AWD BUT NOT BOTH - what a joke! 😂😂😂
No 360 camera,fails already!
if you need one of those to park a car....then that's a fail within itself...
To me not having a 360 View Camera is game changer as well, especially when this feature is there on all other competitors models (At least on higher spec grade).
Also the another biggest led down for me is lack of lumbar support function (At least for drivers seat).
It needs a V8 engine in it then I will consider buying one😂🤣
It is back to the late 00s HONDA styling. Kia copied this and then Honda lost it with uselss designs now they are back to their roots
Tiggo 7 pro is better looking and its much cheaper whit evrytig you nid 😂😅😢
1st like and comment
1st view as well
Honda uses water based paint which peels off within few years.. will never buy a honda again
1.5L engine + CVT gearbox...👎👎👎...why all Japanese brands adamantly stick to CVT gearboxes....😡😡😡
Great fuel economy 👌.... and mazda bro.
What’s the issue with cvt and turbo? Is not a Chinese brand nor Nissan, you will get more than 150,000 easily and way more with good maintance
RAV4 is CVT. Then you have a issue with the best selling SUV.
It’s why I stick Mazda. Old school torque converter automatic.
Wifey has a 2018 Mazda3 Astina. Its 6 speed auto is a flawless unit. That said I have an older Estima V6, also with a 6 speed and it is likewise very good. I think CVT works for hybrid but not a fan with a standard ICE
Dual and tri climiate control are overrated features that no one really cares about it...
The hybrid is not a cvt! It does not even have a gearbox. Maybe a bit of homework before the review?
I think I can see your thinking here, but the CR-V hybrid's E-CVT isn't transmissionless like a Nissan e-Power hybrid, rather it uses a dedicated geartrain for the electric motor and petrol engine and can operate via a constant power split, rather than a sliding ratio (as in a regular CVT) for the times it needs to vary the inputs of either. A lockup clutch allows a wider range of petrol engine drive, but the electric-first operation means in most driving situations the system works in series, with the petrol engines feeding the battery, and the the battery driving the traction motor, which turns the front wheels directly, but it can operate in parallel mode as needed. I hope that helps clear things up a touch. 😉 - Kez
@@Drivecomau , Hi Kez. The electric drive motor is directly driving the driven gear through its output shaft. This a single ratio and the petrol motor only drives the driven gear (and consequently the wheels) once the clutch is engaged. The ratio for the petrol motor is roughly that of a 6th gear in a manual gearbox which is why the motor only drives directly when the speed is sufficient to cover that gear ratio. Otherwise the petrol motor is driving the generator to supply the drive motor directly with power or the battery or a combination. Either way there are no gear ratio changes and no CVT. What sounds like gear changes in the cabin is purely synthetic! Hard to believe but true. I have the ZRV hybrid which is the exact same powertrain but the driven gear and the electric motor drive gear has a slightly different ratio to take to torque from 315nm to 335 nm.
Yeah,
This channel is not the only Aussie car review channel to make reference to a CVT or e-CVT being used for the CR-V e-HEV. Doing a quick web search produces a Hondanews article called “Honda Two-Motor Hybrid-Electric System”. It says the 2023 CR-V e-hev has:
1/ a 1-speed electric motor for propulsion.
2/ It has an electric generator for recharging the hybrid battery.
3/ It has an Atkinson cycle internal combustion engine that:
- spins the generator to recharge the hybrid battery.
- uses a low-speed gear set via one lock-up clutch to drive the driven wheels at low / urban speeds.
- uses another gear set via another lock-up clutch to drive the driven wheels at highway speeds.
So as far as transmissions go:
- The propulsion motor is single speed (one ratio).
- The engine is 2-speed to the driven wheels.
There doesn’t seem to be anything Continuously Variable about the transmission ratios for the engine driving the wheels.
Honda...the most generic designs....
CVT 👎
It might not be your first choice of transmission, but I reckon once you get behind the wheel you could be convinced. The shabby reputation of CVTs is fast changing. - Kez
@@DrivecomauYeah, but noisy!
@@BaronvonOldenbikerThat's not true, not sure what you were driving, reliability not a issue, used by Toyota etc..DSG have a lot more issues and can be clunky