Why Lease The CR-V?
by: Donna KellyDonna Kelly has over 14 years of experience in the motoring industry, writing, test driving and tweeting about cars. Her weekends are spent trackside, covering racing events.
Honda CR-V Review 2021
The Honda CR-V is a sporty and spacious family SUV equipped with impressive self-charging hybrid technology.
Rivals to the Honda CR-V include the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai.
Our Honda CR-V review covers:
Honda CR-V Key Features
- Muscular SUV design with a high driving position
- Nicely designed interior with plenty of soft-touch plastics and leatherette
- 497-litre boot, which expands to 1,692 litres with rear seats down
- 2.0L petrol self-charging hybrid engine
- Five trim levels available, including S, SE, SR, Sport Line and EX
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
The Honda CR-V commands attention wherever you drive it with its muscular shape. While the latest generation model is similar in style to its predecessor, it boasts wider wheel arches, as well as flashes of chrome around the nose to give it a more athletic, sporty design.
Inside, there's an excellent amount of legroom, headroom and passenger space, making it ideal if you have a growing family. The back of the CR-V is designed to allow more legroom for rear passengers and maximize comfort.
At the rear, the Honda CR-V's boot can hold up to 497 litres, expanding to an impressive 1,692 litres with rear seats folded down. This is more boot space than the Nissan Qashqai but less than the Land Rover Discovery and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V also has a relatively low loading lip for an SUV and a broad boot opening, making it an ideal family leasing option for when you're packing the SUV with the family luggage.
Interior and Trims
The Honda CR-V interior is nicely designed with plenty of room and soft-touch plastics used throughout. Unfortunately, the CR-V's standard wood trim feels outdated. You can, however, swap it for a silver trim, which costs a little extra but looks a lot better.
All CR-Vs come with digital dials rather than analogue. Still, the entry-level infotainment system is pretty basic as it comes with a tiny five-inch monochrome screen with Bluetooth, DAB digital radio that is controlled via rotary dials.
Five trim levels models are available with the Honda CR-V, including the S, SE, SR, Sport Line, and EX.
The entry-level S model has LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and a wood-effect interior trim. You also get climate control, an eight-speaker stereo system and 17-inch alloy wheels.
SE models come with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in satellite navigation and smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices, dual-zone climate control and a leather steering wheel. You also get a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
SR models have similar SE features but add tinted windows, leather seats, and a nine-speaker stereo system.
Sport Line models don't get extra equipment over a Honda CR-V in SE spec. Instead, this trim gives the CR-V piano black interior door handles and a smoked effect on the rear lights and black 18-inch alloys.
The top-of-the-range EX model adds a hands-free power tailgate to the SR's kit list, head-up display, heated rear seats and steering wheel. You also get a panoramic glass sunroof, driver's seat memory and 18-inch alloys.
Power and Performance
Under the bonnet, the Honda CR-V comes with a 184bhp 2.0L petrol self-charging hybrid engine offered in either a front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configuration.
The CR-V uses Honda's own unique hybrid power system, which is different from rivals such as Toyota RAV4. Instead, the Honda functions as a pure electric vehicle at low speeds, with the 2.0-litre petrol engine operating as a generator with the electric motors powering the wheels. Once you pick up speed, the petrol engine locks in via a clutch to drive the wheels directly.
On the road, the CR-V feels excellent to drive. Its soft suspension means the CR-V is significantly good at absorbing lumps and bumps in the road, increasing comfort for passengers. The high driving position also offers an excellent view out, and although the CR-V is not the most exciting car to drive compared to other SUVs, it's a perfect option for a family car.
Leasing vs Buying
Prices for the new Honda CR-V start from £31,420.00 OTR* or to lease from £383.34 per month.
Interested in leasing the Honda CR-V? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing companies. All of our car lease agreements include the full manufacturer's warranty, road tax, breakdown cover, and free mainland GB delivery (exclusions apply).
Plus, with fixed monthly rentals, a low initial outlay and flexible mileage and contract terms, leasing a Honda CR-V could be cheaper than buying outright with a bank loan or via dealer finance.
*'On the road' price is correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change. Always check with your nearest retailer.
