The Honda CR-V has been a popular mid-size SUV in Australia for over three decades. The first generation, launched in 1995, was a landmark car that set the foundations for Honda’s SUV-centric lineup. It was based on the fourth-generation Civic platform, with a unique double-wishbone front suspension setup and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 94kW of power and 180Nm of torque.
In 1997, the CR-V arrived in Australian showrooms, with a starting price of $29,950 for the entry-level manual. It was an immediate sales success, thanks to its car-like driving character, generous interior space, and thoughtful family-friendly features. The first CR-V was offered in two model grades – base and Sport – both exclusively with all-wheel drive, but with the option of either manual or automatic gearboxes.
Over the years, the CR-V has undergone significant changes, with each new generation introducing more advanced features, improved performance, and enhanced safety. The second-generation CR-V, launched in 2001, featured a more conventional MacPherson front strut and a double-wishbone rear-end setup, providing packaging benefits and creating more space for rear seat occupants and cargo.
The third-generation CR-V, launched in 2006, carried over much of its predecessor’s underpinnings but featured an all-new exterior design. It was shorter in overall length but slightly wider, with a conventional liftback tailgate replacing the side-hinged swing door of the first two versions. The fourth-generation CR-V, launched in 2011, introduced the most radical changes to the nameplate, with a new entry-level front-drive variant and the option of a diesel powertrain.
The fifth-generation CR-V, launched in 2017, was bigger and more flexible than before, with a new-generation turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) across the range. The latest sixth-generation CR-V, launched in 2022, features modern styling, the latest chassis architecture, and a hybrid powertrain for the first time.
Today, the CR-V is available in seven different variants, all of which (except for the flagship RS e:HEV) are powered by the same turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as its predecessor. The base VTi-X and both seven-seaters – the VTi-X7 and VTi-L7 – retain a front-wheel drive configuration, while the VTi-LX is exclusively all-wheel drive. The most significant addition is the advanced hybrid powertrain, which produces combined maximum outputs of 135kW and 335Nm, and has claimed average fuel consumption of 5.5L/100km.
The Honda CR-V has come a long way since its introduction in 1995, with each new generation introducing more advanced features, improved performance, and enhanced safety. It has remained one of the most popular mid-size SUVs in Australia, thanks to its car-like driving character, generous interior space, and thoughtful family-friendly features. With its latest sixth-generation model, Honda continues to position itself at the premium end of the mainstream mid-size SUV segment, with a focus on advanced safety features, modern styling, and a hybrid powertrain.