The 2025 Honda CR-V – the 6th generation of the Japanese brand’s medium SUV – offers more cabin space and tech features than its predecessor, but can it justify its premium pricetag? We review the top-of-the-range 1.5T Exclusive derivative.
We like: Comprehensive specification, cabin space, on-road refinement, superb fit and finish.
We don’t like: So-so performance, pricey compared with rivals, not the most spacious 3rd row.
FAST FACTS
- Model: 2025 Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive
- Price: R1 041 300 (May 2025)
- Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol
- Transmission: CVT (auto)
- Power/Torque: 140 kW/240 Nm
- 0-100 kph: 9.65 sec (as tested)
- Fuel consumption: 7.4 L/100 km (claimed)
- Luggage capacity: 150-478-840-1457 litres
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Where does the 2025 Honda CR-V fit in?
Take a moment to appreciate the legacy of Honda’s long-serving medium SUV/family car. CR-V stands for “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle”, and since its launch in 1995, the model has well and truly lived up to its moniker. Over 30 years (and 6 iterations of the model), Honda has sold 10 million units of the CR-V.
CR-V sales may trail those of its rivals in South Africa, but the model is one of Honda’s best-selling units globally. In 2024, more than 400 000 units found homes in the USA alone; that’s a very impressive stat.
With the sharper-looking CR-V, Honda hopes to recoup some of the market share it has gradually lost in Mzansi. The 6th-gen model is underpinned by the Honda Architecture platform, which it shares with the Honda Civic. Its wheelbase has increased by 40 mm, which contributes to a 69-mm gain in overall length, but for most consumers, the most noteworthy change is the addition of a 3rd row of seats.
Added practicality is always welcome; the most popular type of 7-seat family car is the body-on-frame, turbodiesel-powered Adventure SUV, and some may argue that, as a 7-seater, the CR-V rivals the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X and so on. However, those bakkie-based vehicles have ladder-frame chassis; they’re well suited to off-roading, but can’t match a unibody-based model’s on-road refinement.
We regard the Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, or, if you want a turbodiesel, Kia Sorento, as direct alternatives to the CR-V (with Volkswagen’s 7-seater Tayron set to arrive soon). Bear in mind, however, that the CR-V is front-wheel drive, whereas all its current rivals are all-wheel drive.
Compare Honda CR-V specs with those of Mitsubishi Outlander and Kia Sorento
While 7 seats may not be a dealbreaker for some customers, price is! Some would argue that R1 million could get you into a model with a premium brand’s badge on its grille; the Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5 come to mind, even if both of those models are due to be replaced; also consider the luxurious Omoda C9.
Compare Honda CR-V specs with those of Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60
How the 2025 Honda CR-V fares in terms of…
Performance and Efficiency
In South Africa, the 6th-gen CR-V is powered exclusively by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol motor. It produces 140 kW/240 Nm and drives the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Although the 1.5T Exclusive had clocked up barely more than delivery mileage (600 km) by the time we tested it, it ran from zero to 100 kph in 9.65 sec (according to our equipment) – a respectable time for a sizeable 7-seat family car. Having said that, the Honda felt out of its comfort zone under full acceleration; the CR-V’s on-road demeanour suggests it is far more suited to gentler throttle applications/cruising.
The CVT in the 2025 Honda CR-V is said to have been refined; it’s programmed to have notable “steps” that simulate gear changes and provide a more traditional driving experience. Yet under full acceleration, the noise emitted by the powertrain is still too intrusive – not that the CVT groan is exclusive to Honda…
Sprint times aren’t important for family cars, but notable in-gear acceleration (needed for overtaking slower vehicles quickly and safely) is! In that respect, the Honda performs more adequately than well.
The biggest benefits of a CVT are refinement and efficiency – attributes that the majority of city dwellers, who habitually drive in congested traffic and travel at constant speeds on freeways, will appreciate.
Honda claims an average consumption of 7.4 L/100 km, and during its time with us, our test unit returned 8.8 L/100 km, which was fair. With a full (57-litre) fuel tank, the CR-V should have a range of 770 km.
It’s interesting to note that in overseas markets, the 2025 Honda CR-V is also offered in plug-in hybrid guise. A PHEV variant would enhance the family car’s performance and efficiency, but given that our Government taxes electrified vehicles heavily, the price of such a derivative would be prohibitively high.
Features and Practicality
By offering the 6th-gen CR-V as a 7-seater, Honda South Africa looks to maximise the versatility of an already practical product. Not only has the Japanese brand got the packaging spot on (as it has with many iterations of the Fit/Jazz small hatchback), but the 1.5T Exclusive exhibited excellent build quality.
Yes, black surfaces dominate the cabin, but classy wooden trim adds a touch of premium ambience. The materials used are all of a high standard, and the switchgear not only looks great but feels substantial.
At this price point, buyers expect a smorgasbord of modern convenience and tech features as standard, and indeed, the apex CR-V has 8-way adjustable heated leather front seats (4-way for the passenger), wireless Android Auto and -Apple CarPlay, both types of USB port, as well as a wireless charging pad.
If you opt for the range-topping 1.5T Exclusive, which costs R80k more than the 1.5T Executive variant, (in May 2025), you also get larger (19-inch) alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a sportier (if oh-so-subtly sportier) body kit, a larger all-digital instrument cluster, as well as a driver’s head-up display.
The driver’s seat position is high-perched and confidence-inspiring. It affords excellent all-around visibility out of the cabin, yet the CR-V never feels cumbersome; it doesn’t tower over other cars.
We commend Honda for not following the fad of integrating many functions into the infotainment menu. There are just enough buttons and switches, and to reiterate, they look posh and are a pleasure to use.
One of the CR-V’s most notable strengths is its comprehensive list of safety features. Above and beyond 8 airbags, a 360-degree camera view, front/rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, and hill-start assist, there are ADAS (advanced driver-assistance systems) such as adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning.
For added rear-passenger comfort, the 2nd-row backrests can recline by a few degrees. Plus, the bench can slide fore (if you need more legroom for 3rd-row occupants or extra luggage space) or aft (if the 2nd-row passengers want to stretch their legs). There are twin USB-C ports for fast-charging devices.
As expected, the 3rd row seats are not the biggest and best reserved for little ones. Not only does the row feel too cramped, but average-sized adults will find ingress/egress a tight squeeze (and undignified)!
A 3-row family SUV may not have entirely practical 6th and 7th seats, but if you only use the 3rd row occasionally (as many owners will), you have a 5-seater with a huge load bay. The CR-V is renowned for its cargo-carrying capability, and the 6th-gen model is said to haul from loads of 150- up to 1 457 litres.
Ride and Handling
Seeing as the 2025 Honda CR-V shares its platform with the 11th-gen Civic sedan, it has a multi-link rear suspension setup, which gives the SUV a distinct ride-comfort advantage over its bakkie-based rivals.
With a list price of just above R1-million, the Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive is pricey by family-car standards, but it does feel expensive in terms of the occupant comfort and on-road refinement it delivers. A pliant suspension setup facilitates a largely unflustered ride quality, and the cabin is whisper quiet (unless the powertrain is working hard) thanks to active noise cancelling that cleverly uses audio to mask road noise.
Despite growing in size, the CR-V remains sure-footed; it corners reasonably deftly and with surprisingly little body roll. The steering setup is on the heavier-feeling side (surprisingly), and it doesn’t offer much feedback, but most potential customers will prioritise comfort over dynamism in this segment anyway.
Our test unit’s 19-inch alloys were wrapped in 235/55 tyres. With 198 mm of ground clearance, the CR-V is at ease on gravel roads, where the tyres’ plump sidewalls help to absorb small bumps. Reassuringly, a full-sized spare is fitted, but accessing that wheel requires quite a lot of effort (watch our video review).
Price and After-sales support
The Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive retails for R1 041 300 (May 2025), which includes a 5-year/90 000 km service plan, a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and 3 years of AA roadside assistance.
Search for a new/used Honda listed for sale on Cars.co.za
See also: Honda Specs & Prices in South Africa
Verdict
Given the astounding rise of Chinese car brands (most of which specialise in crossovers), legacy brands’ family cars no longer offer the best value, but that doesn’t mean they’ve been superseded. The Honda CR-V impressed us with its on-road refinement, practicality and features, but it’s a tough sell, especially given what the competition offers (for less), and what premium used cars you can buy for the price.
Should you buy one? A glance at Hondas listed on our site revealed that quite a few brand-new CR-V units are offered at lower than list prices. There are bargains to be had if you’re keen on this practical, comfortable and refined family SUV, but right now, the 2025 CR-V’s opposition seems overwhelming.
