What’s it like?
When the fifth-generation Honda CR-V arrived in 2017, it didn’t look like much more than a very heavy facelift of its predecessor. But this then-newcomer hid two important facts: the first was that diesel power was being dropped for the CR-V line-up; and the second was that it was the first Honda model to be sold in Europe with the 2.0-litre i-MMD hybrid drivetrain – which still continues to this day, in cars like the eleventh-gen Civic and the revived Prelude. A large, five-seat, five-door SUV with premium-leaning aspirations, the fifth-gen CR-V wasn’t on sale for long but makes a suitably classy alternative to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Peugeot 3008, Ford Kuga and more.
Which model to go for?
As stated, this generation of the CR-V came purely with petrol or petrol-hybrid powertrains. For the turbocharged 1.5-litre VTEC petrol engine, you could either have manual and front-wheel drive, or a CVT automatic and four-wheel drive. There was more power and torque for the AWD model (193hp/243Nm) than there was for the FWD variant (173hp/220Nm), but as the latter was lighter then it was a bit quicker for 0-100km/h at 9.3 seconds.
Most, however, made a beeline for the CR-V Hybrid. Its complex but smooth-operating drivetrain (later branded as ‘e:HEV’) was automatic only – indeed, dispensing with the conventional idea of a gearbox or transmission entirely, if you want to drill down into the technicalities of the hybrid system – and power and torque were set at 184hp and 315Nm. The best thing about the Hybrid is that it will do pretty much 5.6 litres/100km everywhere, without you trying too hard or having to employ over-the-top fuel-saving driving behaviour.
The good news for second-hand buyers is that the i-MMD e:HEV is by far the more common second-hand vehicle in Ireland, with the 1.5-litre petrol model being vanishingly rare. Thus, if you are searching for a Mk5 CR-V, the powertrain you’re looking at is highly likely to be the best choice in the line-up anyway.
Does anything go wrong?
This model of Honda CR-V has, as you would expect of this Japanese company, an excellent reputation for reliability, frequently scoring well in owner surveys of used vehicles. That said, there have been a few reports of random warning lights relating to the hybrid system, while the infotainment system isn’t necessarily free from bugs either.
There have been five recalls in total for this generation of Honda CR-V, although one of them relates to the diesel model – which we never got in Ireland. Otherwise, the remaining four recalls were for a potential fuel-pump fault relating to resin; improperly locking front belt buckles; a missing fuse for the battery cable connecting to the fuse box; and a cracked impeller in the fuel pump.