All-New Honda CR-V PHEV offers a seamless driving experience.

New Honda CR-V PHEV offers a seamless driving experience.

The all-new Honda CR-V boasts a striking and modern exterior design language that features sharp lines, a dynamic front grille and a sporty stance, all of which deliver a refined and sophisticated look. Its distinctive LED headlights, sleek taillights and sporty alloy wheels contribute to the CR-V’s impressive road presence, and it exudes an upmarket look from every view point. Now in its sixth-generation, Honda’s largest SUV has grown in size, adding new technology and safety features along the way.

Hybrid Powertrain Options.

The new CR-V now provides buyers with a choice of full hybrid (e:HEV) or plug-in hybrid (e:PHEV) versions, both of which ensure optimum fuel economy and peace-of-mind for long distances. Honda’s powerful and efficient hybrid powertrains deliver exceptional drivability, and feature dual electric motors and three engine modes: Electric, Hybrid and Engine Drive. Also standard are four distinct drive modes: Sport, Normal, Econ and Snow, which automatically change the vehicle set-up to provide the optimum performance, traction and efficiency required for the road conditions. The e:PHEV benefits from the addition of a Tow Mode function in order to assist with charge management when pulling a trailer of up to 1500kg.

An Enhanced EV Experience.

By providing a pure-electric driving range of up to 82km, the new CR-V e:PHEV offers an enhanced EV experience, providing all the benefits of smooth, quiet electric power and low emissions, while retaining the flexibility of switching to hybrid drive when necessary. Recharging is quick and simple, with a rapid charge time of just 2.5 hours via a 6.8kW charger. While the e:HEV version of the new CR-V comes with a choice of Elegance and Advance trim grades, the e:PHEV version is available exclusively in Advance Tech trim. Unique e:PHEV exterior design elements consist of body-colour trim, black gloss detailing, 18-inch Berlina black alloy wheels and a sporty front grille design.

Upmarket, User-Friendly Cabin.

The new CR-V e:PHEV features a spacious and comfortable interior with premium materials used throughout, providing a refined and luxurious feel. Some of the advanced convenience features that come as standard include full black leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless charging pad and a hands-free power tailgate. The power tailgate provides a ‘stop and hold’ function and a ‘walk away and close’ function, which closes the tailgate and securely locks the car if you leave it without locking it. The cabin is designed with families in mind, offering terrific head, leg and elbow room for all occupants. Each element of the upmarket cabin has been designed to create a quiet and uncluttered space for everyone on board, with honeycomb silver trim, sports pedals, reclining and sliding rear seats, and dark coloured roof lining as standard. A host of clever storage spaces are located throughout the cabin, including a large central armrest that conceals an impressive 9 litres of useful space. Equally impressive is the 596 litres cargo space behind the rear seats, and this can be expanded to over 1,700 litres by dropping the rear seats.

Honda Sensing 360.

The new CR-V e:PHEV debuts Honda Sensing 360, a suite of the advanced safety features that are powered by sensors, cameras, and enhanced recognition systems, which have been designed to keep all occupants safe, and to warn the driver of potential road hazards. In the new CR-V e:PHEV, Honda Sensing 360 includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Following, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Change Collision Mitigation System, Active Lane Change Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Cross Traffic Monitor, Road Departure Mitigation System, Collision Mitigation Throttle Control, Traffic Jam Assist, and Cornering Speed Assist, along with Blind Spot Detection, all of which help to avoid collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians, but also reduce driver strain while driving.

Test Car Details.

My Honda CR-V e:PHEV Advance Tech test car was finished in striking Platinum White Pearl paintwork with contrasting 18 inch black alloy wheels as standard. The Advance Tech grade includes such standard features as Honda Connect, Honda Sensing 360, dark coloured roof lining, 5 drive modes, tow mode, EV mode, LED lights, black and chrome front grille, body colour bumpers and wheel arch trim, panoramic glass sunroof, multi-view camera, front & rear parking sensors with Honda Parking Pilot technology, adaptive driving beam, driver’s seat power adjustment with memory, head-up display, wireless charger, keyless entry & start, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, digital driver’s display, power tailgate, and a heated leather steering wheel, along with a host of additional comfort, convenience, infotainment and safety features. Drivers who wish to personalise their CR-V can choose an optional Aero Pack that consists of a front aero bumper, a rear lower bumper, a Berlina Black tailgate spoiler, and Berlina Black side skirts that enhance the sporty look of the CR-V. Additional packs available at an extra cost include Illumination Packs and a Utility Pack that include a host of practical equipment that can be enjoyed on every journey. The e;PHEV powertrain produces 189PS (187bhp) and 335Nm of torque, and this enables the car to sprint from 0-100km/h in 9.4 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 195km/h (where permitted). An official fuel economy figure of 0.8l/100km on a WLTP combined driving cycle may be achieved if every journey is undertaken with a fully charged battery and within its EV range, but the actual economy achieved will very much depend on the type of journey, road conditions, vehicle load and weather conditions. The new CR-V e:PHEV is a very quiet car to be in, with road and wind noise well suppressed thanks to the use of enhanced noise insulation procedures. The steering is light, direct and accurate, and it really suits the premium feel of the car, while body roll through sharp bends and tricky corners is well controlled. The slick automatic transmission provides the car with the ability to tackle city driving with ease, while motorway driving is undertaken with upmarket serenity and confidence.

Verdict & Price.

The new Honda CR-V may have a familiar look, but every aspect of the design has evolved, creating a contemporary, distinctive and athletic SUV that now comes with the choice of advanced self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains for the world we live in today. The new CR-V PHEV combines a stylish design, advanced technology, and exceptional fuel efficiency with an exhilarating driving experience. The new CR-V e:PHEV Advance Tech is priced at €67,995 (ex-delivery charges) and is available to order now at Honda dealerships nationwide.

Visit www.honda.ie for further information.