Honda CR-V Hybrid In-Depth 2022 Review - Most Spacious Hybrid SUV?

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In a sign of the times, the Honda CR-V now only comes with a self charging hybrid engine. That change of focus comes along with a light update inside and out. Otherwise though, essential character of this fifth generation design hasn't changed. Nor has its primary rival, the Toyota RAV4.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:46 Background
04:03 Driving Experience
11:32 Design & Build
27:39 Market & Model Range
41:44 Cost of Ownership
48:09 Summary
Background
Pretty soon, non-electrified engines will be a thing of the past. They really are in the Honda CR-V range, now entirely based around the brand's e:TECHNOLOGY i-MMD full-Hybrid engine. The CR-V has never been a contender that's jumped out at you from the spec sheet. No. You have to drive it. Use it. Fill it with family. Many of those experienced in doing just that probably won't even look at the alternatives before replacing their second, third, fourth or early fifth generation CR-Vs with this improved MK5 model.
It does after all, according to its maker at least, offer a depth of engineering that many other rivals just don't have - and always has, ever since the original version of this 'Compact Recreational Vehicle' pretty much invented its segment back in 1995, with subsequent models in 2002, 2007 and 2012 before this fifth generation design was introduced in 2018, then improved two years on to create the car we have here.
Driving Experience
If you're already familiar with this car's self charging full-Hybrid i-MMD petrol / electric engine, the main change we need to brief you one relates to suspension updates with this revised model. Honda says the damping has been tweaked for more linear handling responses and to provide what it calls 'increased low longitudinal rigidity for optimised ride compliance'. We think that means it handles the bumps slightly better and doesn't roll as much through the corners. Otherwise it's just as the hybrid model was before. Thanks to a combination of electrification and a larger-capacity 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol engine which together produce 315Nm of torque, progress in this model is relaxed. Something further aided by the fact that the non-negotiable auto gearbox you have to have with hybrids in this case ditches a CVT 'rubber band' transmission for a proper fixed-gear set-up that allows a direct connection between the moving parts.
The combustion powerplant is aided by two electric motors, one for propulsion and another for generating electricity that gets stored in a lithium-ion battery. Depending on road conditions and the way you want to drive, the powertrain switches between three modes - 'Hybrid', 'EV' and 'Engine'. Only in the least efficient 'Engine' drive mode is the petrol motor connected directly to the wheels - which is the setting you'd be in if you were to replicate this variant's claimed rest to 62mph sprint time of around 9s or the top speed of 112mph. For far more of the time though, you'll be using electric assistance to a lesser or greater extent. In 'Hybrid' drive, the engine's there to supply power to the generator, which in turn provides it to the propulsion motor. Finally, in its 'EV' setting, this Honda will be fully electric, though your operational range under milk float mobility when the battery is fully charged will be only 1.2-miles. You can also use paddles provided behind the steering wheel to maximise engine braking energy regeneration, so charging up the battery faster and increasing the amount of time the system can switch away from petrol power.
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[@bondjamesbond9041]

A very dependable and comfortable car. If you want long term reliability and a well engineered SUV this Honda is pretty much unbeatable. The Toyota RAV4 is also very good but prefer the design and interior of the Honda. Love your reviews and they are always very thorough.

[@CastleKnight7]

Nice review. I do like the black Sport Line model.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hi there, our team will be happy to explore pricing and options for the Sport Line model 👍 Get in touch on 01903 538835

[@niallf1054]

Having owned quite a few Honda's I can't help but feel Honda has missed a few tricks with the current CRV. While I agree that there is very generous leg room in the rear,, the rear bench is narrower than the 4th generation model making it difficult to accommodate 3 young children. Boot space and the infotainment system are big let downs also. I am a big Honda fan but the current CRV just doesn't quite do it for me.

[@Hs-dp4tq]

I love honda and own an odyssey now. But they don’t seem be to coming up with many new models unlike their rivals. When do launch a new car they seem to hold to hold back on tech features which are deal breakers in 2022. Crv’s small screen and odyssey’s lack of 360 camera

[@slugger7440]

The infotainment is woeful. Rav4 a much more complete package.

[@TheSpoovy]

Doesn't the RAV4 (and Lexus) use a planetary gearset?

[@shieldaigbencher]

Yes they do.

[@pomerau]

For me - this time - wayyy too much information to try to digest in the early segments; brilliantly informative though those can be. I didn't understand the single gear gearbox that's not a CVT, so I started glazing over and panicking there might be a written exam at the end. I was having one of those days. I skipped most of the rest of it but looked at the boot size bit and the very good summary at the end. Is it just me or does a photo of the rear imply it's a very small hatchback and a completely different car; where the front leaves you in no doubt this is now a very large, heavy SUV? Love the channel and the presenter ... err like the presenter quite much, but I couldn't focus today. 🙃

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for sharing your feedback 🙂 We have a shorter 7-10 minute version of this review going up on the channel in the next few weeks - keep an eye out if that's of interest!

[@fernandovargas7562]

Cool video…

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Glad you enjoyed the review Fernando 👍 Are you interested in getting a Honda CR-V?

[@antonoat]

How ironic, my Peugeot 308SW 1.5 Blue Hdi has a considerably lower Co2 figure than this so called future friendly car! Great review as usual, flawed car (very flawed in fact).

[@zouhirhakan7584]

How Many Miles Can a Honda CR-V Hybrid Go on a Full Tank?

[@shieldaigbencher]

Mine shows 550 miles when I fill up. I’m in the U.K.

[@MarthaMansbridge]

Goodness me this is dull! No wonder Honda have all but disappeared in the U.K. - if you think they led the market with this type of car back in the 90’s at the same time the Land Rover Freelander (with which it shared design inspiration from the earlier Rover/Honda tie up) came out - they’ve really lost their way

[@arifsalmansutanto8830]

Hai.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

What do you make of the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Arif?

[@arifsalmansutanto8830]

@@OsvUkVehicleSupply i am from Indonseia🇮🇩, in this contry none Honda have hybrids, i will avoid Honda CR-V Hybrids. Because i prefer a PHEV china car with same price. Example MG HS PHEV.

[@hedydd2]

Honda sales have obviously fallen like a demolished power station cooling tower. They have completely lost the plot and if they don’t pull their socks up they might as well give up car production and concentrate on motorbikes and work quads. Even their small engines will soon be replaced by other manufacturers’ electric motors for power tools, water pumps and, ironically, generators. They used to be classed as the Japanese BMW with sporty, innovative and even exciting designs. No longer. Everywhere in the world they market a very limited range of terrifically boring vehicles that appeal to very few. Only in the USA do they retain some credibility. Should say that I used to be a huge Honda fan and still run a 2015 twin turbo diesel automatic CR-V. In the UK sales of this model fifth generation have fallen off a cliff compared to previous models, which were very popular. Same goes for the Civic which was never a top seller here.

[@fordgalaxie3726]

In Asia and in the USA HONDA is immensely successful. The Europeans prefer to buy overpriced Korean and poorly built German cars (after a three year lease, they start to fall apart). I have owned many brands and I will stick with HONDA now. My CR-V Diesel from 2014 has given me 212.000 troublefree kilometers so far and I will replace it with a HR-V Hybrid in October!

[@hedydd2]

@@fordgalaxie3726 I hope that my own British built CR-V twin turbo diesel with ZF automatic will last just as long. It will if my wife stops reversing into things. The latest model is uninspiring and a total sales flop in Europe though and its other offerings are neither compelling nor inspiring, hence Honda sales have dived in terms of market share. I have yet to see a new Civic or CR-V on the roads locally. Go back ten years and they sold like hot cakes. No longer!

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

Share there interior designer with Toyota by the look of it. Dated, plastic & useless entertainment systems with dated graphics. No height adjustable boot floor. Told you, Toyota designed it.