Mileage: 827
Economy: 36.9mpg
Having arrived only last week, our new green machine, the Honda CR-V Hybrid, is the newest car on the Auto Express fleet. I was quite excited to get the keys; the potential for saving money on fuel is pretty appealing. I don’t have a driveway at home, so I miss out on the pure-electric cars that feature in our tests. Fingers crossed that the hybrid Honda can help improve my urban economy figures.
As is so often the way, once you’re driving a new model you are amazed by how many of the same type you see on the road. I’ve spotted plenty of previous-generation examples around London recently. My new car seems considerably larger than that old version, and I’ve found that it’s really practical as a result. The hatch opens high and the doors open wide, with easy access to the rear seats and a large load area. Its generous height clearance means there is little danger of thumping my head, too.
The CR-V range moves up from S to SE, past SR and on to the range-topping EX. Our SR doesn’t have the EX’s powered tailgate that you can wave your foot under to open, but that’s really no problem. What I do like are the simple handles on both sides of the boot, which enable me to drop the rear seats without having to come around to the doors.
I may have had the car for only a week, but I’ve already made use of its spacious cabin by loading in some 2.4-metre lengths of wood for a building project my eldest son George has started. We’ve also freed up the full 1,697-litre boot by dropping all the rear seats to move some paintings for an artist friend.
Of course, the CR-V gobbles up even the largest of family supermarket shops with ease, and I’m sure that the big rubber mat will protect the carpeted load area on the inevitable trips to the allotment or rubbish dump. The CR-V is proving comfortable so far, with a high seating position and plenty of space in the back for my teenage boys, who have a lot of legroom. Both kids are six-footers, and they’ve each remarked on the extra room they are enjoying.
They’re even more pleased with the twin front and rear USB ports that come as standard. Looking through our car’s spec sheet, the amount of standard safety tech included across the range impresses. Brake assist, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition and adaptive cruise control are all present, which is great. There is even vehicle and trailer-stability assist, should towing be your thing. Thankfully, the safety kit remains untouched so far.
That’s not true of the infotainment system, which has been reasonably easy to use; George synced his phone within a matter of seconds through the dash display. The screen is bigger than in previous CR-V models, but it struggles when compared with both the size and style of the unit in the Mercedes A-Class I ran before the Honda. I know they’re different cars and in different classes, but they’re similar in price.
Anyway, with some sizeable trips planned this month, I’m certainly looking forward to putting some proper miles on the Honda.
*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.
- Model: Honda CR-V Hybrid SR 2WD eCVT
- On fleet since: May 2019
- Price new: £34,470
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl & e-motor, 143bhp + 181bhp
- CO2/tax : 120g/km/£140
- Options:: Pearlescent paint (£850)
- Insurance*: Group: 24 Quote: £502
- Mileage/mpg: 827/36.9mpg
- Any problems?: None so far
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