Honda CR-V SUV (2018 - 2023) SR i-MMD Hybrid 2WD eCVT auto 5d Owner Review

I'll just list the points of note in no particular order...

1. I average 44mpg. (2WD is more economical than 4WD)

2. Zero reliability issues, nothing whatsoever has needed fixed.

3. The car is designed for sensible driving, not bombing it up and down the motorway.

4. 60 MPH is optimum, sit in the slow lane, set the active cruise control, and lane keep assist if you want, and you've basically got a semi autonomous car, just keep a light hold of the steering wheel, I just hold the bottom of it, and it basically does the rest. Slows down when needed, speeds up when needed based on the car in front, and keeps the lane. Just accelerated to 65mph when overtaking and settle back into the slow late. It just melts the miles away whilst all the stressful, aggressive drivers bob and we've to save 10 minutes on their journey.

5. If you want good MPG, you stick to 60, the faster you go on the motorway the more the MPG will drop. The CVT is designed for relaxed driving, the entire car is.

6. Android Auto is decent, but the infotainment needs restarted occasionally... just hold the power button in until it restarts, that stops it freezing, after a while it freezes, restarting it puts it back to normal. Speakers are decent, above average I would say, decent base, more than enough.

7. Practicality is amazing, rear seats down it feels like a small commercial van. I can load it up with loads of stuff for the tip if needed.

8. Plenty of room in the back, with good charging points.

9. Mines is black with black tinted windows to the rear and rear side windows, looks decent. Although in hindsight for an easier life, I'd have gone for White... run it through the car wash, less washes by hand as swirl marks are less noticeable on a white car... black cars can't do automatic car washes or they age very fast paint wise.

10. The car has plenty of power from a standstill, it will actually shock you how quick it can move off the mark, that's the electric motor assisting the engine, it never feels underpowered a t a roundabout, I've had people in the wrong lane, trying to beat me, to get in front loads of times, even BMW's, they get a shock when they see how quick off the mark this big lump is. But it's not to be driven hard after that, otherwise it's not refined, the engine will scream. If you want a car to bomb up and down the motorway, get a VW, Audi, BMW, Merc... but then be prepared for frequent dealer visits, constant servicing and rubbish customer service. Source? Me... I've had them all. Honda? 1 service a year needed, none of this diagnostics nonsense, or 12k miles, whatever comes first.

11. I've done 23k miles, zero issues with the car. Last service around 21k miles as the two years past before I hit another 12k... zero issues, and the tech that made the video showing the condition of the car said brake pads were only 10% worn. That's the regenerative breaking of the Japanese hybrid... brakes last for ages before they need replaced. My last car... BMW 5 series? They didn't last half as long and they cost a small fortune to replace.

12. I should have bought a Honda sooner, it's basically a maintain and forget car... just drive it, and that's the way it should be. I know without a doubt when I drive the thing, I don't even need to think about breaking down, a well maintained Honda is genuinely good for 250,000+ miles, easy. The vin on mines starts with J too, so it was built in Japan for an added bonus.

It's not yet 3 years old, but I plan on keeping it for 7 - 10 year probably... maybe more.