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Review – Honda CR-V e:PHEV (2024), thick for each other?

December 20, 2024

Honda CR-V: a familiar nameplate

The Honda CR-V is to Honda what the Golf is to Volkswagen and the 3 Series is to BMW. As such, the CR-V nameplate has been around for a while. More than six generations of the model have already appeared. What you especially notice is that electrification is advancing in the CR-V. The car we are driving is a Honda CR-V e:PHEV, a plug-in hybrid. And not a small one!

Dimensions Honda CR-V

The car is 4.7 meters long, 1.87 meters wide and 1.67 meters high. The wheelbase comes out to 2.7 meters. For the plug-in hybrid, the gasoline tank has a capacity of 46.5 liters. In the regular hybrid, it is 57 liters. Obviously, the fuel tank is smaller due to the presence of a battery pack. The boot capacity ranges from 617 to 1,710 liters.

Honda CR-V e:PHEV (2024), thick for you? – REVIEW – AutoRAI TV

Weights Honda CR-V e:PHEV and e:HEV

The weight of the plug-in hybrid is 1,916 kilograms, versus 1,750 kilograms for the front-wheel-drive e:HEV. That weight difference, of course, is due to the battery pack. The car can tow 1,500 kilograms braked, while normal hybrids can only tow 750 kilograms braked. So the higher towing weight is a good reason to go for this PHEV. Cheap is not a Honda CR-V. Prices for the regular hybrid start at 56,730 euros. And this e:PHEV comes from 63,905 euros.

But what kind of technology does this Honda have on board? We’d like to explain that with the help of a handy overview.

Honda C-RV e:PHEV FWD

Plug-in hybrid: choice of driving modes

The plug-in hybrid’s system output comes out to 184 hp and 335 Nm. The Intelligent Multi Mode Drive powertrain has – as the name suggests – different driving modes. For example, you can drive exclusively electric. The powertrain then draws power exclusively from the battery. In hybrid mode, the combustion engine  supplies power to the generator, which in turn powers the Honda. The car can also be powered exclusively by the gasoline engine. This will then happen mainly during longer trips when the battery really runs down. Do you brake? Then the regenerative brakes will make sure you recover some power.  

The Honda CR-V as a hybrid

Would you rather not plug in? Which can! The Honda C-RV e:HEV is also available, with a choice of FWD or AWD. This version also has a 1,993 cc four-cylinder with 148 hp and 189 Nm of torque. The electric motor kicks in at 184 hp, also with 335 Nm of torque. Performance is similar to the plug-in hybrid: 9.0 seconds for the 0-100 time and a top speed of 194 km/h. On paper, the plug-in hybrid has a combined fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100 km.

Honda CR-V e:PHEV 2024

Excellent ergonomics

That Honda builds excellent cars, I think we don’t have to explain anymore. Yet the brand never really broke through in Europe. In the Netherlands the brand has a loyal fan base. The new Civic is an absolute top car, the ZR-V drives genuinely great and this CR-V should serve as Honda’s ultimate family SUV. First impressions are good, as there is no shortage of space and all functions are also where you expect them to be. Especially the ergonomics in this car are thickly done. The plug-in hybrid also has specific “honeycomb” interior panels. In the normal hybrid this is hairline. The PHEV also has dark-colored roof lining. The seating position is good, as is the adjustability of the steering column. Driving assistance systems are sometimes a bit irritating, but they can be easily turned off.

Such a CR-V satisfies

Below the line, we do prefer the ZR-V  because it offers just a bit more driving pleasure and feels more nimble, even if you do lose some space. If space is really important, this CR-V is simply the better choice. With this CR-V, the emphasis is overwhelmingly on comfort for the whole family. The ZR-V also stimulates your “inner Max Verstappen” on some roads. As a family SUV, the CR-V at least passes with flying colors. It is beautifully built, is easy to use, also proves to be economical in practice (as long as you hang the car on the charger every time) and is surprisingly spacious. This comes at a hefty price. But quality and reliability do come at a somewhat higher price.

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