CR-V is one of the most popular models sold to the Honda world. The SUV is now arrived at the sixth generation and has profoundly renovated, greatly raising the bar of quality. In Europe, the new model is only hybrid, for the first time also in Plug-in version. Marketing, in Italy, is expected starting from the month of November.

The new flagship of the Japanese manufacturer, at least in the Old Continent, presents many new features; and, for this reason, we flew to Portugal to get to know her better.

• Design and Interiors
• Engine and safety
• First contact
• Prices

DESIGN AND INTERIORS measurement 4,706mm long x 2,153mm wide (with mirrors) x 1,673mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,701mm. The trunk offers ample capacity of 617 liters in the Plug-in e:PHEV version which drops to 587 liters in the Full Hybrid e:HEV version due to the battery which is located under the trunk. In the Plug-in, however, the accumulator is located under the rear seats. However, the PHEV model has a larger petrol tank. small.

By folding down the rear seat backrests, the capacity of the trunk rises to 1,710 liters and 1,642 liters respectively. Compared to the previous generation, the new CR-V is more 10 mm wide and more 80 mm long. The pace is also grown by 40 mm. Honda has revised the design of the CR-V which features important overhangs and a particularly “full-bodied” grille.

It should be highlighted that the e:HEV and e:PHEV variants are distinguished from each other by a different design of the grill. At the rear, however, we can see the new design of the tailgate and the renewed L-shaped light clusters.

Customers can choose from six exterior colors: Diamond Dust Pearl, Canyon River Blue Metallic, Gold Titan Metallic, Premium Crystal Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl and Crystal Black. As standard, the SUV features 18-inch alloy wheels. An important step forward, however, regarding the interior.

The new dashboard has some similarities with those of the Civic and the ZR-V. Behind the steering wheel we find the 10.2-inch TFT screen of the digital instrumentation. Centrally, however, it is the 9-inch touch display of the infotainment system is present. The dashboard is also characterized by the presence of a horizontal honeycomb grille which includes the air conditioning vents. The SUV also offers 4 USB ports (1 Type A and 1 Type C at the front and 2 Type C at the rear). There is also a pad for wireless charging of the smartphone.

ENGINE AND SAFETY

New Honda CR-V can count on a powertrain consisting of a 2.0 four-cylinder direct injection Atkinson cycle engine with 109 kW (148 HP) and 189 Nm, combined with two units electric (generator and electric motor). It is essentially the same powertrain that we find on the new Honda Civic. The overall power of the system is of 135 kW (184 HP).

There are three modes: of operation of the Honda CR-V powertrain. In EV-Drive the electric motors use the energy from the battery. Instead, in Hybrid-Drive both the petrol engine and the electric motors work in sync in order to optimize consumption and guarantee optimal performance. Finally, the mode Engine Drive uses the combustion engine in constant high-speed driving, while charging the battery at the same time. In most situations it is therefore it is almost always the electric motor that moves the wheels, with the thermal one acting as a generator.

The e:HEV model has a 1.06 kWh battery, while the e:PHEV offers a 17.7 kWh battery which allows an electric range of 81 km according to the WLTP cycle. This battery can be recharged in alternating current up to a maximum power of 6.8 kW (2.5 hours to go from 0 to 100% charge).

New CR-V, in the e:HEV version, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds (9.4 seconds for the 4-wheel drive version). The speed maximum is of 194 km/h (187 km/h with all-wheel drive). The e:PHEV Plug-in, however, reaches a speed top speed of 195 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds.

On the safety front, the new Honda CR-V can count on the new Honda Sensing 360which boasts a 100° front camera, a millimeter wave radar and four radars positioned at the corners to offer a 360° view around the vehicle. Platform that allows the SUV to have features Level 2 driving assistance.

FIRST CONTACT

Compared to the previous generation, the design of the Honda CR-V has made a big leap forward, appearing much more mature. Thepassenger compartment is very spaciousand 5 people have no difficulty being comfortable. Those like me who are over 180 cm in height have no problems with space both in front and behind.

After all, this SUV was created to allow people to be able to travel comfortably, even when it comes to tackling very long journeys. The seats are comfortable and the suspension filters the bumps well. of the road. Even acoustic comfortis very good, a sign that Honda has worked a lot on this aspect.

The internal combustion engine never revs up too much, except when you insist a lot on the accelerator and therefore the noise that filters into the passenger compartment is always very reduced, even at speed highways. It should be noted that there are paddles behind the steering wheel which, however, are not used to change gear but only to vary energy recovery.

The driving position is raisedand therefore you have good visibility. The multiple sensors of the ADAS systems then lend a further hand. Peculiarity: when the direction indicator is switched on, the images coming from the camera located under the rear-view mirror appear on the infotainment.

The cargo compartment is very spacious. Note that it is It is possible to maximize its capacity. thanks to the possibility to be able to slide the rear seat by 19 cm. It convinced me a little; less the infotainment system. The graphics are a little old but the biggest problem is visibility in some conditions. Since the display is not oriented a little towards the driver, while driving you have to move your head too much to see some information.

The model we tested was the Plug-in one. As mentioned, it travels well, in maximum comfort, however, in the curves, by forcing it a little, the weight of 1,923 kg can be felt entirely. After all, the Honda CR-V has a tourist vocation and offers the best with relaxed driving.

How much does it consume? In the dive test in Portugal we covered approximately 118 km between state roads and hilly sections with some small differences in altitude. Sunny day with an air temperature between 22 and 27 degrees. The air conditioner was on and set at 23 degrees. We carried out the route using the mode “Normal” (there are also Sport, Econ and Snow modes) and powertrain management in “Auto” (essentially the hybrid mode), maintaining an absolutely normal pace.

With the battery charged, the SUV predominantly used the battery mode. 100% electric along the route we took. The endothermic intervened in support only when the accelerator was pressed and full power was required (such as when overtaking). After 70-72 km of driving with use mainly in mode 100% electric, the battery is dropped to about 15% of the charge (two bars left). At that point, the endothermic is came into play by limiting the mode EV only on the sections where you were traveling at speed constant and no more than 50-60 km/h.

With this new powertrain management, until the end of the route, the battery level is always remained constant. Probably, by forcing the mode EV to fully consume all the energy from the battery, one could approach 80 km in electric mode.

Overall, the 118 km were completed with a final consumption of 2.1 liters per 100 km. Obviously, we will be much more precise on consumption and powertrain management when we have the possibility to be able to calmly try the car again.

PRICES

How much does the new Honda CR-V cost in Italy? Starting from the e:HEV Elegance 2-wheel drive version at 49,900 euros up to 59,900 euros for the e:PHEV Adavance Tech.