Review: 2024 Honda CR-V RS e:HEV hybrid - 'Premium mainstream' has a new face

There’s an urban legend in automotive lore that the Honda CR-V was called the ‘Comfort Runabout Vehicle’ simply because Honda had to make a name up for a car that didn’t quite fit in any pre-existing mould – but the market was calling.

Trends show people were asking for vehicles that mixed car-like dynamics with real estate a regular sedan couldn’t muster, and long story short that led to the 1995 debut of the first-gen, RD-series CR-V.

As much as that was a masterstroke in foresight, it takes a certain kind of fervour to maintain strong relevance for 29 years. It’s also a lot of time to see what’s changed, for better or for worse, and today we have the 6th-gen, all-new 2024 Honda CR-V with us to find out.

2024 Honda CR-V: Sharp exterior looks, RS adds to the coolness

Honda’s latest member in this long-running family carries an air of being a more faithful look at the basics than its predecessors. Roominess is the name of its game here, and a clear clue to that is the profile; curves of the last couple of generations have been replaced by taut, straight body lines.

Also read: 4 variants of the all-new 2024 Honda CR-V available in Malaysia, what are the differences?

Still, even if it is a design guided by the principles of making room, it remains a largely handsome thing. We’re getting ‘American SUV’ vibes with its bold face, high lines, and square rump. Stocky, tough, and certainly looks its best with the RS kit.

Though the brilliant new Canyon River Blue is the top-seller, any colour in the palette would suit it well. Our only point of contention were the blacked-out 18-inch wheels – you may like the stealthy cut, though I personally would’ve liked it more with a more standout finish.

2024 Honda CR-V: Improved passenger space, huge boot

Anyway, taste is subjective, and it’s perfectly valid for you to love it the way it is. Less debatable is what’s under the skin, in particular the new CR-V’s excellence in interior packaging.

CR-Vs have always been spacious, but this time around extra attention was paid to that, and then some. The outward growth is indicative of its larger passenger space: 16 mm more legroom than the 5th-gen model, a bit more headroom, and a whole lot more boot space.

In tennis balls terms: three can fit between my knees and the front seat, while two tennis balls of headroom is better than the previous car’s one. Note also this is uniquely the only five-seater SUV in its class that can slide its second-row seats fore-aft by up to 190 mm for more room.

Also read: We love sports cars, but SUVs are the best

The other big improvement to the rear seats is that they can now recline by eight steps, up to 10 degrees. Seems like an inconsequential thing to have, but it proved quite nice for the lucky one sleeping at the back on the traffic-addled bits to Penang.

It’s also going to be a boon for tired mothers or antsy children across longer interstate drives.

Speaking of which, the second row features a stadium-seat layout – where the rear seats are slightly elevated compared to the front – providing better outward visibility and in turn reduces motion sickness.

Also read: Honda Malaysia explains why the 2024 Honda CR-V only comes as a five-seater here

589 litres of boot space with the second row seats up is a whole 66 litres more than the last model, which also places it as the definitive class-leader where 5-seater SUVs are concerned in Malaysia.

Better yet, it’s the same volume for both turbo and hybrid variants, with the only key difference is that there’s a full-size spare-tyre by the boot floor for the S, E, and V variants. The RS hybrid keeps a repair kit, as the battery takes up the space otherwise.

2024 Honda CR-V: Good-looking interior, could use better materials though

The rest of the cabin is as you’d expect from a Honda. Ease of access to everyday functions, lots of buttons, and clear ways to navigate the system.

As this is the range-topping RS e:HEV, buyers get the fully-digital 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, aluminium-look garnishes, red ambient lighting, plus the Honda keycard. Devil’s in the details they say, and these things help a lot in giving the CR-V RS e:HEV a true ‘top-spec’ atmosphere.

The seats – both front and rear – we found to be quite ace, bolstering most body sizes quite nicely. There’s also a slight recline which adds to the comfort. First impressions lead us to think that the pair in front are more supple than before, with more than enough support for one’s back and thighs.

Also read: Floor or pillar-mounted rear air-cond vents? For the 2024 Honda CR-V, one answer makes better sense

Add to that multiway seat adjustments (with memory function) and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and you have an SUV that will cater to most drivers.

Visibility is brilliant, in fact much improved from the model it successes. Where the old car’s rounded body made it a bit tough to judge the extremes of the car, the new model’s straight edges makes it easier to judge the ends of the car, making tight corners and spaces not too difficult to judge.

Cabin features and ergonomics are for the most part pretty good. We like the Bose 12-speaker system that’s clear and punchy right out of the box, great connectivity (wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, wireless charging), and the 9-inch infotainment screen’s clarity and user friendliness is a step in the right direction, one which we hope they’ll continue with in smaller, cheaper models.

Not the best are the ubiquity of hard, matte plastics everywhere, including by the rear doors. It’s easily the most glaring fault because it’s a jarring juxtaposition between the top half and the bottom half of the dashboard, heck, even the front and rear quarters too.

A little bit more cool features wouldn’t hurt the CR-V’s chances too, especially in this RS trim. If it came with ventilated seats and a sunroof, we think it’ll swiftly quash discussions of other pricier competitors too.

2024 Honda CR-V: Powerful, great fuel economy, comfortable

With a total output of 184 PS and 335 Nm from its 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated hybrid system, there’s enough shove under the long hood to call it reasonably powerful, at the same time branding the CR-V RS e:HEV the sportiest the model’s ever been.

Note also that it has 20 Nm more torque than the same powertrain makes in the Civic, compensating for the extra weight. The CR-V RS manages to feel sprightly and energetic on the move, whether you’re setting off from a standstill or stabbing the accelerator for a swift overtake.

Also read: Video: Yes, this is a 2023 Honda CR-V – but it’s also got 800 PS, and Max Verstappen is shredding its tyres

Though the system prioritises electric power when the battery has sufficient charge, it’s a seamless hand-off between the two whenever the petrol engine fires up and take control.

This also means that you don’t need to try too hard to achieve stellar fuel consumption figures – we nailed 15.5 km/litres (6.45 litres/100 km) over the 307 km distance travelled.

Much has been (and will be) said about it having a CVT gearbox…but note that in here it doesn’t succumb to the drony pitfalls of the usual suspects, remaining quiet and responsive to changing speeds and throttle inputs.

Actually, it’s a quiet car all around. The best trick of the hybrid system is its silence, remaining unobtrusive unless the accelerator is mashed.

Good soundproofing means wind noise and tyre noise are reduced to a murmur, and skeptics can rest easy knowing the RS-exclusive wheel resonators actually do work: there’s a circa 2 dB difference between this RS hybrid and turbo V (which doesn’t have said resonators) in the same speed.

For what its worth across highway journeys the CR-V RS hybrid has all the qualities you’d come to expect from something of its price and stature. There’s this stable, weighted feeling at speed, and lots of confidence from the brakes and how it handles.

Also read: Hold that rim change, or risk losing out on a 2024 Honda CR-V benefit: noise-reducing wheels

The steering is direct and responsive, and takes well to the many curves of the Balik Pulau backroads. Most importantly it’s easy to manoeuvre in low-speed, urban situations, making parallel parking and Penang city traversing (those who know, know) relatively simple affairs.

Ride control is perhaps a little on the firmer side for a family-oriented SUV, though it remains composed over potholes and larger bumps. It takes quite a bit of effort to jolt the cabin to an uncomfortable extent, so we reckon most people will find the suspension to their liking.

Verdict

When all’s said and done, Honda’s stepped up its game with the new CR-V. It’s clear that the interest is making more premium products for the mainstream – there won’t be a next-gen Accord for Malaysia, so this is the prince in waiting – and the cool looks and sweet hybrid powertrain really showcases that effort.

Of course there are some downsides, and it’s a bit disappointing that for the near RM 200k its asking for there’s still quite a prevalance of cheap-feeling plastics. Also, some cool features found in other SUVs are missing, like ventilated seats and a sunroof.

That said, the CR-V RS e:HEV still scores in the tests that matter the most, offering a good amount of space inside, and a nice presentation. It’s still a solid choice for SUV buyers who want something stylish, comfortable, yet familiar – the very qualities that launched its superstardom 29 years ago.

Also read: Thought the RM 196k Honda CR-V hybrid was too expensive? Waiting period is now past 4 months