Starting at P2.1 million (for this entry-level grade I test-drove), I also balked at the new price point of the 2024 CR-V. It overshoots the SRP of several variants of the Fortuner and a couple of Monteros by a few thousand to almost a quarter of a million.
As an all-new model, I expected the latest tech, features, amenities, and creature comforts. It did not disappoint. But why so expensive? Aside from new gear and tech toys, Honda worked magic on several parts of this sixth-generation model. After seven days with it, I came away impressed.
The body is a (total) departure from its predecessor, with squarish proportions and more flatter surfaces. The overall exterior design is less aggressive, which makes it look more generic, but that honeycomb grille and the badge (of course) give it an aura of elegance. (I guess) sophisticated is the new sporty in the compact crossover SUV segment.
Despite being the entry-level grade, the V Turbo CVT has full LED lighting — from the sequential headlamps to the daytime running lamps, taillights, and the high-mount stop lamp. It sits on 18-inch silver aluminum alloy wheels and comes with a full-size spare tire instead of a tire repair kit (found in the top-of-the-line RS e:HEV). Standard features include roof rails, a shark fin antenna, a tailgate spoiler, and one of my favorite features: the power tailgate.
The 2024 CR-V may have shed its athletic appeal, but in its place is a more mature and refined appearance. Its grown-up stance gives it a dashing look that will appeal to buyers who want a more executive-looking compact crossover SUV.
It is an all-black affair in the cabin without the brushed metal (found in the RS e:HEV) and wood finish (found in the VX). Like all new Honda models, it has the piano black and honeycomb pattern grille on the façade of the soft-touch dashboard. It has leather seat upholstery and uses leather also on the shift knob.
The nine-inch touchscreen monitor has a black-and-white display but turns colored when wireless CarPlay starts. If you do not want to use this interface or your smart device runs on another operating system, it also has Bluetooth audio streaming and Android Auto.
One of the things I like about Hondas is the seats, and the one in this CR-V is no different. It is highly adjustable, and you can get it down to the exact fit because it is electronic. Best of all, it has a memory setting, so no matter who uses the vehicle, you can get it back just as you like at the push of a button.
Creature comforts are plenty. There is the tri-zone air-conditioning system, the 10.2-inch full digital cluster (showing range, fuel, audio, phone, etc.), the four-way front passenger seat, four USB ports (2 Type-A and 2 Type-C), a wireless charger, and also LED lighting.
It has eight speakers, which already sounds awesome, especially if you are streaming high-quality audio, but I envy RS e:HEV owners because that baby has the Bose 12-speaker sound system.
This CR-V, and the VX sibling, uses a 1.5-liter VTEC turbo engine with 190-PS and 240-Nm of torque. But unlike the VX, drive only goes to the front wheels via a CVT (continuously variable transmission).
The small displacement engine will do fine at a cruising pace, whether in the city or on the highway. It holds 100 to 120 km/h while revving at under 2,000 RPM. It will strain at the threshold of an overtake maneuver and rev from 2,500 to 3,000 RPM but deliver the necessary oomph to pass slower traffic smoothly. Fuel consumption in the city is 9.7 km/h but climbs to 14.6 on the highway.
Like most crossover SUVs, the CR-V (regardless of the grade) uses a MacPherson strut in front and multi-link at the rear. What sets it apart is how much better it is at handling just about anything the road throws at it — humps, rumble strips, and even nasty bumps. It is not as good as the Legend, but it can rival the Accord (in my opinion) with its noise, vibration, and harshness dampening.
Ground clearance is a flash-flood-safe 198 mm, but despite its height, it sashays around chicanes gracefully thanks to a wider wheelbase and the Agile Handling Assist feature. The V variant comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features for added passenger protection.
Sure, you can get a bigger mid-size SUV for less than what you will pay for this compact crossover SUV. But I can tell you right now that the ride comfort and the seamless integration of features will be far from what you will experience in the 2024 Honda CR-V V Turbo CVT.