Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V was one of the first SUVs to tout itself as the more eco friendly off-roader, with a firm bias to on-road manners and a lack of off-road clambering . The CR-V shares the 2.0- petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines from the Accord but now also comes in Hybrid form. The CR-V is stout, sensible family transport and has something of a cult following in Middle England. We can see why. Honda reliability is a given, it’s well engineered and very practical for household duty.
Built in Britain
It’s even built in Britain, so you can feel rightly patriotic if you’re a local reader. Now on its fifth iteration, you can choose front- or four-wheel drive and we’d highly recommend the new downsized 1.6 diesel engine which hits the sweet spot of low emissions, high fuel economy and grunt performance. That’s a good bet when combined with the 590-or-so litre boot. Just watch out for equally efficient but more engaging rivals.
As long as you don’t need more than five seats, the CR-V is a great buy thanks to its Reliability, comfort, generous equipment levels and strength. Running costs can be high, especially for petrol models, plus you’ll regret not buying a diesel if you’re planning to tow. As with most cars of this type, the CR-V isn’t designed for serious off-road driving but, while there are plenty of more accomplished compact SUVs out there on the used market, the CR-V can be a good choice if you’re on a budget.
Bear in mind that, as with any compact sports utility vehicle, a CR-V will never be as cheap to run as a family-focused estate car or hatch.
Things to look out for.
Make sure the air-conditioning or climate control works properly; compressors can fail. On early models rear light clusters can leak, leading to condensation building up, especially in cold weather. Electrics are generally reliable on the CR-V, but batteries can go flat due to the ignition switch leaking current. Door handles are painted silver; they’re not chrome-plated. This paint can peel off; new handles are the only proper fix. Overall not a bad little car.