We highway take a look at the primary plug-in hybrid from Honda – the all-new CR-V e:PHEV…
The Honda CR-V began off life as a pioneering family-friendly SUV approach again in 1995. The Snug Runabout Car’ is now in its sixth technology, and as an indication of the occasions, it’s now solely accessible as a full hybrid (badged e:HEV) or plug-in hybrid (e:PHEV).
Such is the recognition of crossovers, the listing of rivals for the CR-V is gigantic nowadays, and consists of the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson.
Wider, longer and taller than the earlier technology automobile, we reckon the newest Honda CR-V is one of the best proportioned mannequin but with its chiselled traces and sporty stance.
It feels roomy and lightweight as quickly as you step into the cabin, whereas the driving place gives a commanding view of the highway.
It’s snug too, with customary eight-way electrically adjustable leather-based seats, plus a helpful reminiscence perform.
The rear seats slide and recline, and supply wonderful legroom, although taller adults might wrestle for headroom, and there’s no seven-seat possibility.
There’s additionally a beneficiant boot capability of 617 litres, increasing to 1,710 litres with the 60/40 rear seats folded down.
The CR-V will get the identical clear and responsive 9.0-inch central infotainment touchscreen as the newest Civic, which sits alongside a ten.2-inch digital driver’s show on the dashboard. Bodily buttons and dials for objects akin to local weather management are welcome too, and there’s additionally a head-up show for important driving info.
Different goodies embody a multi-view digicam system, Honda Parking Pilot, heated steering wheel, heated entrance and rear seats, entrance cooling seats, premium Bose sound system and My Honda+ app connectivity.
The CR-V can also be the primary European mannequin to get Honda’s newest security and driver help system which removes blind spots across the car.
Total, the cabin is nicely put collectively and it’s a step-up by way of high quality, however there are nonetheless a number of too many plastics and laborious surfaces.
The Honda CR-V e:PHEV pairs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 17.7kWh battery and single electrical motor, producing 181bhp.
It could actually journey in pure electrical mode for as much as 50 miles on a single cost, plus there’s a tow drive mode, which suggests it’s able to pulling an honest 1.5 tonnes.
The 0-62mph dash within the CR-V e:PHEV takes 9.4 seconds, whereas prime pace is 121mph. In idea, it’s able to 353mpg. The truth is that gasoline financial system will dip to a claimed 45.6mpg when the battery cost has been used up and it’s functioning extra as a full hybrid.
CO2 emissions are as little as 18g/km, which suggests decrease VED, plus a tax profit for firm automobile drivers.
As with every plug-in hybrid, it’s most effective when the battery is saved charged up. On shorter journeys, spectacular gasoline financial system is feasible as a result of the petrol engine is getting electrical help from the battery, or its working in pure EV mode. Nonetheless, on longer motorway journeys we discovered that it could dip beneath 40mpg.
That stated, the 50-mile EV vary is longer than most rivals, and pushed sensibly diesel-equivalent financial system general is sort of potential.
There’s a alternative of 5 drive modes: Sport, Regular, Econ, Snow and Tow.
Frankly, it’s simply high-quality in Regular mode, however value flicking into Econ when cruising or on motorways. We didn’t get the chance to strive it in snow or tow mode, not did we take it off-road.
Nonetheless, in contrast to the complete hybrid CRV the e:PHEV is just accessible with front-wheel drive, so it should all the time have its limitations.
There’s no scarcity of energy from the hybrid system and it’s easy for essentially the most half, with the petrol engine solely turning into vocal when it kicks in below heavier acceleration.
The swap from electrical to engine energy (and vice versa) is seamless, and it’s significantly satisfying to see the EV mild illuminate on the dashboard so usually – generally when simply cruising alongside.
With a most charging fee of 6.8kW, plugging the CR-V right into a 7kW house charger will get you from 0-100% in round 2.5 hours.
The largest totally different between this and the outgoing mannequin is the brand new two-stage automated gearbox, so no extra excessive revs on acceleration just like the previous CVT transmission. It’s nonetheless not good, however an enormous enchancment.
On the highway, the two-tonne CR-V feels substantial, so whereas it’s fast off the road, composed and refined, it’s not significantly nimble.
Hustle it on tougher roads and there’s a little bit physique lean, but it surely’s manageable. Sport mode delivers a little bit additional efficiency and a firmer suspension for improved dealing with, however we’re not nice followers of the accompanying faux exhaust notice pumped by way of the cabin.
Oh, and in case you’re heavy along with your proper foot it’s all too straightforward to spin the entrance wheels in moist or slippery situations.
Finally, the CR-V Is straightforward to drive and extra about consolation than driving dynamics.
It’s additionally a doddle to manoeuvre round city too, because of the quite a few cameras and sensors.
Beginning at £53,995, the plug-in hybrid CR-V is dearer than the complete hybrid (from £45,895), and whereas the latter is on the market in Class, Advance and Advance Tech trims, you may at present solely order the e:PHEV within the prime grade.
Verdict: The Honda CR-V e:PHEV is a powerful plug-in hybrid and an actual step-up from the earlier technology mannequin. Spacious, secure, snug, sensible and with a very good EV vary and hybrid financial system, it ticks loads of SUV bins for households and enterprise drivers.
Honda UK
