Now in its sixth generation, those looking for a satisfactory compact crossover SUV have always acknowledged the Honda CR-V. What we have here to be precise is the 2024 Honda CR-V VX Turbo AWD, which sits in the middle of the range, just below the range-topping RS e:HEV hybrid model.
We’ve been seeing more seamless and futuristic designs from many car brands these days, and the CR-V seems to be going on a different route as it features a taller front grill compared to its previous generations and a less curvy body compared to the last generation. It looks sporty and robust but also elegant enough to be taken seriously. All of the recent models under Honda have a similar vibe and look that isn’t necessarily eye-catching, but it will keep your attention for years to come.
The front grill again, is gloss black along with relatively thin LED headlights and sweeping LED turn signal lights. Meanwhile, the rear garnishes a dual exhaust pipe and tail lights that have an inward “L” shape crossing into the tailgate similar to the previous generation facelift which to me, fits perfectly with its design. It gives the car a better identity compared to a few generations ago when the tail lights were simply a standing rectangular shape.
The differences between the VX and the top-of-the-line RS e:HEV are the silver wheels, and the lower black trim. The latter one I think was a good design choice, though the ones on the fender arches seemed a bit questionable. It eventually grew on me, though I would have preferred it if it were the same color as the body or had a glossy finish.
Moving on to the interior, in my opinion, the driving experience is further enhanced with its clicky and tactile switches. And so, if you’re like me, you’ll be satisfied in knowing that the shifter is an actual stick at the center compared to more unique gear-shifting gimmicks we see today. The air-conditioning controls have these clicky rotary knobs, and the electronic hand brake, econ mode, and hill descent modes are all buttons you can access near the shifter. You’ll also find a button to quickly access the front, side, or rear cameras on the tip of the wiper switch, which shows Honda’s ingenuity and is simply convenient overall.
I cannot get over how Isaac refers to the design of the CR-V as “simple and timeless.” And I agree. Besides having now straighter body lines, it shares an interior with the Honda Civic with the honeycomb pattern on the dash which is something I was ecstatic about. With a nine-inch infotainment system that supports wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto (wired only) as well as the easily customizable digital gauges, you are sure to keep yourself both entertained and assured with your car’s condition (you can access the range, fuel, speed, time, audio, phone, and navigation, among other driving information) by easily scrolling through these screens with the conveniently placed “scroll wheel” on the steering wheel where you’ll also find your Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) buttons and other entertainment functions.
The steering wheel is both in height and telescopically adjustable. Along with the two power-adjustable front seats, it makes for a comfortable driving experience. The seats themselves are leather with a simple design that comfortably holds the driver. The non-hybrid V and VX are the only variants with a third row which is not necessarily spacious and comfortable enough for adults but is good enough to accommodate extra passengers if needed. This third row can also be folded flat and makes extra space for groceries and other items. The CR-V is known to have one of the most spacious boot spaces compared to its competitors, though the third row reduces its space compared to the RS e:HEV from 589 liters to just 472 liters.
To me, Honda will always make cars that are expected to be for the driver’s experience, and the 2024 Honda CR-V VX Turbo AWD wasn’t short on delivering making both long trips outside the city and short commutes across the metro a convenient yet satisfying experience. Carrying a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 187 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque, this car gave me the power I needed for overtakes. The CVT, while performing mostly on the side of efficiency as it holds the revs when you are deep in the throttle, it was still responsive and enabled excellent fuel efficiency. At most, I was able to hit around 23 km/l during mostly highway drives, while it settled at around 9-13 km/l upon a few trips within the city.
Honda also did a great job in tuning the handling of the CR-V. Although the CR-V is now dimensionally bigger than most compact crossover SUVs, it has only a little body roll when pushed through corners. It is stable and grippy, yet the suspension is also soft enough for those rough patches and potholes you encounter on less developed roads.
The 2024 Honda CR-V VX Turbo AWD also has all the latest Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) on offer, including ACC as mentioned earlier, Auto High-Beam (AHB), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and more. You can read more about it here.
A few things I experienced with this car were a few instances of an overreactive CMBS during turns where the car braked for me even when I was more than a foot away from hitting anything and at really low speeds. Also, the following distance of the ACC when in expressways is a bit too far for me, even at the closest setting, making it easy for some aggressive drivers to take that gap and letting me cancel the ACC altogether. However, taking into consideration that this is a globally produced car, maybe driving in the Philippine context is what made these instances seem like a hitch. After giving it another thought, cruising in the CR-V VX felt like a breeze, all thanks to its safety features. And it’s not just about safety—it’s downright enjoyable too!
Lastly, a few other nitpicks for the CR-V are the wind and road noise which, while better than the previous model, competing crossover SUVs are a bit quieter. Though this is extremely minor, the side view mirrors do not automatically fold or unfold when you lock or unlock the vehicle, which is a minor caveat to see on a crossover SUV at this price point.
Overall, I had a blast with the 2024 Honda CR-V VX Turbo AWD. Priced at P2,280,000, you might be eyeing other bigger body-on-frame SUVs or pickups at similar or lesser price points, but trust me on this, the CR-V is worth every peso and is my personal favorite among its competition. Its recipe of trying to blend multiple traits doesn’t necessarily make it a stand out in a single aspect, but by balancing multiple traits such as comfort, usability, sportiness, fuel efficiency, safety, and practicality, it’s also able to be the perfect compact crossover SUV for multiple families.
Pricing and Rating
Exterior Design: 8/10
Interior Design: 8/10
Space and Practicality: 8/10
Features: 9/10
Safety and Driver Assistance Tech: 9/10
Acceleration: 8/10
Handling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10
Fuel Efficiency: 8/10
Value For Money: 8/10
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