Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Our Fleet Test Drive: Honda CR-V - 1st Report
BusinessCar magazine website email Awards mobile

The start point for the best source of fleet information

Our Fleet Test Drive: Honda CR-V - 1st Report

Date: 10 February 2014   |   Author:

Honda's 120hp 1.6-litre diesel engine, the first to be launched under its new green Earth Dreams Technology banner, arrived in the UK at the beginning of this year in the lower medium Civic, offering 94g/km.

Now it's also been added to the CR-V, taking the small off-roader under 120g/km, which only the Mazda CX-5 can match, so we've taken one on for six months as part of our long-term test fleet.

The 1.6 isn't externally badged as such, so there's nothing to suggest this is the lesser of the two diesels available, the other being the 150hp 2.2 i-DTEC, and the Earth Dreams branding only appears on the engine block under the bonnet [1]

The 1.6 is only available in two-wheel drive form to help keep emissions down, and only with the pleasant-shifting six-speed manual gearbox.

Our car is a mid-spec SE-T trim, with the 'T' signifying that we have the SD-based satnav [2] that's on the price list rather than an option, bumping the cost up by £765 over the regular SE, although you unfortunately also lose DAB digital radio as a result.

A nice touch is that the navigation and audio screens are separate, one above and set back from the other, so you don't lose the audio display when you need the navigation directions on-screen.

Standard kit is good, with front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera, Bluetooth and auto lights and wipers all included in the £1860 step up from entry S specification that already brought 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and both aux and USB audio inputs.

It's worth noting that the SR trim that's top on the 1.6 - range-topping EX isn't offered on the smaller diesel - gives an upgrade to 18-inch alloy wheels that up emissions by 5g/km to 124g/km, increasing the BIK and VED bands.

I'm looking forward to utilising the CR-V's space and practicality, with a recently arrived second child meaning boot space in particular is tested like never before. The CR-V's luggage area is 589 litres, much larger than any rival, and it also has a useful heavy-duty rubber mat [3], perfect for lobbing damp and muddy pushchairs in without worrying about making the carpet dirty.

It's a very decent start for our Honda, managing 61.7mpg from the first half-tankful, despite arriving with just 308 miles on the clock. Hopefully that will continue, and we'll find out if the CR-V can combine frugality with practicality, comfort, convenience and a little class.

Honda CR-V
11D price (without options) £25,370
Price range £21,395-£35,075
Depreciation cost £16,095
Fuel cost £6091
SMR cost £2078
VED £60
National Insurance £2031
Insurance £3555
C02 (tax) 119g/km (18%)
BIK?@?20/40% per month £76/£152

Verdict


  • Space, practicality, efficiency
  • Only 120hp, Nav deletes DAB?radio

Share


Subscribe