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The Honda CR-V was one of the early pioneers of the mid-size SUV segment that has become the default choice for Australian families.
First introduced Down Under in 1997, the CR-V was a smash hit from the get-go, overtaking the Civic as Honda’s most popular model on the strength of its flexible and spacious cabin, car-like driving behaviour and affordable running costs.
Almost three decades (and six generations) later, it remains faithful to the original idea and is evolving to meet the new customer demands, safety laws and the introduction of new technologies including a hybrid powertrain for the first time.
CR-V has been sold for two years, and is much more diverse in its current form of competitors than ever before. Later this year, showrooms will be launching a new model range to showcase redesigned models by .
Before it arrives, we’ve taken delivery of the flagship CR-V e:HEV RS – the only hybrid-powered variant in the current lineup – as part of our long-term fleet to see how well it still stacks up by subjecting it to an extended road test period that will include everyday driving duties around town, a couple of long-distance road trips, and everything in between.
How much does the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS cost?
The eHEV RS sits at the top of the current seven-variant CR-V lineup and typically costs $59,900 drive-away. The CR-V is now in its runout phase and Honda is offering a $3000 discount on existing stock of the eHEV R, which reduces its sticker price to $56,900 drive-away with an updated model range due to showrooms soon.
| Model | Drive-away pricing |
| — | — |
| 2026 Honda CR-V VTi X+ | $40,900 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V VTi L | $46,300 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V VTi X7 | $47,300 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V VTi L AWD | $51,800 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V VTi L7 | $53,500 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V e:HEV RS | $56,900 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V VTi LX AWD | $57,500 |
That still positions it at the top end of the mainstream mid-size SUV segment, alongside the likes of similarly hybrid-powered range-toppers such as the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Elite 2WD ($48,350 plus on-roads), Kia Sportage GT-Line HEV 2WD ($57,370 plus on-roads), Nissan X-Trail Ti e-Power ($54,415 plus on-roads), Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring ($55,990 plus on-roads) and Toyota RAV4 GXL 2WD ($56,990 plus on-roads).
But there are also a bunch of more affordable – and potentially more efficient plug-in hybrid – options from Chinese newcomers, like the BYD Sealion 6 (from $42,990 plus on-roads), the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid (from $39,990 drive-away), Geely Starray EM-i (from $37,490 plus on-roads), and the GWM Haval H6 Ultra PHEV (from $47,990 drive-away).
It’s undeniably the most competitive segment in Australia, presenting a lot of options for families.
To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
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What is the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS like on the inside?
There’s a lot to like about the CR-V’s cabin, even if it isn’t the flashiest in terms of design.
Rather, it is about perfecting the family-first principles with lots of room for each and every person in front (front and rear) seats — an flexible form that allows light work to carry heavy loads or perform daily routines.
super support, with the front seats just as much side bolstering as possible; comfortably cushioned and comfortable enough to be adjusted for a myriad of body shapes/sizes. The generous glass house is filled with a heap of headroom for taller people and great vision in all directions, where there’s plenty of room for the .
All the driver’s controls are easy to access and use, from the start/stop button to the traditional gear shifter; plus simple buttons on the steering wheel to activate and adjust cruise control settings, change volume of the audio system (and activate Google Assistant voice command system).
A is The 10. The 2-inch digital instrument cluster is crisp and clear, with a logical structure of information; it’s less likely to be exposed to harsh sunlight under its cowl than those that follow the modern trend by floating screens. Other themes, such as traditional round gauges and rising bar graphs on either side of the display to show road speed and energy deployment, can be used for varying displays.
How many words are there in the 9 ? It is more than compensated for by being easier to use thanks to physical controls of the audio volume and track forward/backward, plus exit and home buttons (and wow factor for the kids) 0-inch central infotainment touchscreen that lacks in size (which has been shown as an exception), due to its ability to be easily used with sound control.
The menu structure is also easy to use, with phone-style widgets for all the main functions such as its array of Google Built-In elements like Maps, Apps and Assistant.
Moreover, it has wireless smartphone mirroring for both Apple and Android devices that automatically connects with each other, a wireless phone charger in the large tray at the centre console’s base; crystal-clear sound system (Bose sound) which is well staged throughout the cabin.
Efforts Two cupholders are placed just right in the centre console, large door pockets for one-litre water bottles, a decent glovebox and ‘deep lidded bin between front seats’.
In the back, there is generous legroom for outboard seat occupants, adjustable air vents and two USB-C power outlets as well with flip-down armrest with cupholders. The super-spacious for two, but the raised transmission tunnel in the centre limits a middle seat to small ones and it’s only one of the most powerful seats ever.
For example, behind them the boot has 581 litres of cargo carrying capacity (more than enough for everyday family work), and can grow up to 1636L with the 6040-split/folding seatback flipped down.
We also had a Honda-branded accessories for our CR-V, which was designed to help the load-loading experience A cargo net and an neoprener floor protector, ‘plastic boot mat for wet item storage’ (and dozens of separate areas attached to the carpet) and easy to install and remove.
| Dimensions | Honda CR-V e:HEV RS |
| — | — |
| Length | 4704mm |
| Width | 1866mm |
| Height | 1681mm |
| Wheelbase | 2701mm |
| Cargo capacity | 581L |
To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
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What’s under the bonnet?
The CR-V variants are currently the only one that is available with an hybrid powertrain, called the “eHEV RS”, which mixes a 2. A 0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an automatic transmission (CVT) that is continuously variable and has two electric motors, contains a pair of CVT engines. Unlike other competitors, the system only drives the front wheels of the car as it does.
| Specifications | Honda CR-V e:HEV RS |
| — | — |
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl hybrid |
| System outputs | 135kW 335Nm |
| Battery | 1.05kWh |
| Transmission | e-CVT |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1771kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 5.5L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 5.8L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 57L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 125g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6b |
| Braked tow capacity | 750kg |
Honda has no specific power outputs for the combustion engine and electric motors, but claims combined power productions of 135kW of power and 335Nm of torque.
In addition, it says that 5 litres of combined fuel consumed is also used in its . A of 5L/100km is. A tank of 57L fuel is just over 1000km between re-fills, which means that has only been in the tank for more than 1000litres.
The trip computer is now showing an average of 5 – almost as effective as Honda’s claim after a week behind the wheel, including ‘fairly freeway driving’. Paraphrasing 8L/100km,.
We’re going to do suburban motoring, where the hybrid powertrain is more efficient because it uses the electric motors more often so we’ll know how much that comes down.”
To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
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How does the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS drive?
The Honda CR-V is an excellent example of what modern family motoring should be.
Most SUV’s feel more like a car for starters, thanks to solid and secure handling, top-notch body control, compliant ride quality (and positive steering) feeling.
There is a real sense of quality engineering about the character that drives for the CR-V; there are no tricky electronic dampers here, nor any mode in which it performs at its best — just well calibrated basics that make it comfortable and refined.
Its simplicity is the same thing as that of powertrainer.” If you just leave the computers to do what they’re doing, and mix the petrol and electric power sources together with your experience will be best for.
But yes, it doesn’t quite make sense of the sporty RS badge but feels more muscular than they suggest because as the electric motors provide seamless and effortless acceleration from any speed. When the petrol engine kicks into life, they do most of the heavy lifting around town in stop-start traffic and it’s barely visible when a car is on the road.
Why is the Honda setup so special – and ultimately efficient – is that one of the electric motors, mostly for charging the battery (as in all cases there is electrical energy on tap)?
The most notable is the natural brake feel, another feature of . The CR-V is more consistent through the entire range of strokes of the brake pedal, where other hybrids feel rather wooden when slowing down using the electric motor to harvest energy back into the battery pack.
There are also high levels of refinement, so the CR-V is a nice place to be whether it’s under hard acceleration away from the lights or while on the freeway. Our next long-term test instalment will be a deep dive into all these attributes.
To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
What do you get?
As you’d expect for the range-topping variant, the e:HEV RS comes loaded with a generous level of standard equipment.
2026 Honda CR-V e:HEV RS equipment highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Acoustic windscreen and windows
- LED headlights and tail-lights
- Sequential front turn signals
- Power-operated tailgate
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- Dual-zone climate control
- Leather-appointed seat trim
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Heated front seats
- 10.2-inch digital instrument display
- 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Google Built-In functions including Maps, App Store and Assistant
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Bluetooth connectivity
- DAB+ digital radio
- Bose premium 12-speaker audio system with active noise cancelling
To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
Is the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS safe?
Despite its extensive number of safety features, the CR-V has a four-star ANCAP rating based on testing conducted in 2024.
| Category | Honda CR-V |
| — | — |
| Adult occupant protection | 88 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 88 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 76 per cent |
| Safety assist | 68 per cent |
The Honda CR-V, under the banner ofhonda Smart Sensing, has an extensive range of advanced driver assistance systems as well as crash-avoidance systems.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
- Lane keeping assistance
- Traffic jam assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Traffic sign recognition
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver attention monitoring
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Multi-angle reverse parking display
Honda has done a perfect job, like most of its competitors, to calibrate all the safety systems so that they feel invisible. The lane keeping or speed limit warnings in other cars are so overzealous and even annoying that you immediately want them off– this is obviously counter-productive to having them first place – but not the case with the CR-V.
A driver’s knee airbag and a centre air bag between the front passengers are eight Airbags in the cabin, as well as ISOFIX mounting points and top-tether anchors for child restraints that are installed in outboard rear seats.
In addition, owners are also given five years free access to the Honda Connect telematics system that automatically calls the customer care centre when an accident is caused and can help emergency services find the exact location if required.
Honda Connect also allows users to use functions via a smartphone app, which can remotely activate the climate control to cool down the cabin before leaving, turn on the headlights or activate car alarm and lock and unlock the doors. They can also set out geofencing and speed restrictions on the car if it’s driven by another family member or friend, which automatically alerts owner when either is in violation of their own property.
To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
How much does the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS cost to run?
A class-leading running cost is also high, and the eHEV RS recovers its premium purchase price. The Honda’s standard five-year, unlimited kilometre (CR-V) warranty with free roadside assistance is usually provided for the CR–V. A runout car, however, has a long aftersales coverage period of eight years.
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| Servicing and Warranty | Honda CR-V e:HEV RS |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 8 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 8 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $199 each, $995 total |
For servicing, the CR-V is maintenance every 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first), and its initial five services are only limited to $199 per service as scheduled.
The reason for our long term CR-V is that it’s going to be the first major check-up soon, so we will have to experience service process during our loan and report back.
To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS
Considering that the mid-size SUV segment is so full of cheap newcomers who are offering a lot for less, it’s difficult to get out of the crowd. That is the only hybrid variant (currently) in the range, and it’s easy to dismiss because of its high price tag.
However, much of that purchase price difference will potentially be offset by its superior long-term resale value.
But, besides being a car, the CR-V is much more convincing in real world than most of its lower rivals. One of the classiest and most flexible cabins in its class, is comfortable and fun to drive, has real efficiency & high safety; it is one of those lowest cost-effective ways to keep track of all this.
Until the end of this long-term review, let’s see whether our first impressions are different than we had before or that the eHEV RS has more surprises in store.
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