The new 2018 Honda CR-V range is now on sale in Australia, bringing turbo power and, for the first time, seven-seat versatility to the company’s popular medium SUV line-up. Starting from AUD 30,690 (all prices before on-road costs), the price of entry raises by AUD 900 over the previous fourth-generation model, though Honda argues that the new version brings between AUD 2600 and AUD 4350 in added value, depending on variant.

A four-tier line-up will be offered; VTi, VTi-S, VTi-L and VTi-LX – mirroring that of the smaller Civic hatchback and sedan. Unlike the Civic, however, the CR-V gets the company’s 190 Hp/240 Nm 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged petrol engine across the range, mated exclusively to a continuously-variable transmission (CVT). Drive is sent to either the front or all four wheels depending on variant.


Standard kit in the front-wheel-drive entry-level VTi (AUD 30,690) includes keyless entry with push-button start, active noise control, dual-zone climate control, rear-view camera, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and eight speakers.

There’s also an electric park brake, LED daytime-running lights, front fog-lights, 17-inch alloy wheels with a full-size alloy spare wheel (a rarity these days), driver attention monitor, tyre pressure monitor and trailer stability assist.


Next up is the VTi-S, which comes in both front-wheel drive (AUD 33,290) and all-wheel drive (AUD 35,490), and adds extra features like 18-inch alloy wheels, an electric tailgate, in-built satellite navigation, front and rear parking sensors, and LaneWatch mirror-mounted camera technology.

Third in the range is the VTi-L (AUD 38,990), and is the only variant to offer seven seats. Over the VTi-S, the VTi-L also adds a panoramic sunroof, leather-appointed seat trim, heated front seats, powered driver’s seat (eight-way with lumbar and memory), along with automatic wipers. It’s also front-wheel drive only.


Serving as the flagship variant is the VTi-LX, which is all-wheel drive only and starts from AUD 44,290. Extra features include the Honda Sensing driver assistance technology suite – which includes systems like lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with forward collision warning.

The VTi-LX also features four-way powered front passenger seat, full-LED headlights with active cornering lights, LED front fog-lights, DAB+ digital radio, privacy glass, and an automatically-dimming rear-view mirror.


Cargo space is slightly reduced in this new-gen CR-V, compared to the outgoing model. The five-seater lists 522 litres with the rear seats upright and 1084 litres when laid flat, while the outgoing model listed 556 and 1120 litres respectively. The seven-seater, a new configuration for the CR-V, lists 150 litres with the third row upright, and 967 litres with both rear rows laid flat.