When there’s yet another war that sees fuel prices continually rise, you need a vehicle that avoids petrol stations. While I am driving the Honda CR-V full hybrid, which will travel almost 600 miles on a tank, we enter the sixth week of the war in Iran, which sees fuel prices soar to almost two euros a litre in France, where I happen to be evaluating it.
It seemed a good idea at the time of booking, but now the country is in uproar over the price hikes. In fact, it’s the main story in the media during my visit. The petrol stations are only carrying about 40 per cent of the fuel they usually do, meaning that rationing is in place and there are queues at every filling station, causing tailbacks on main roads. Lorries and buses are parked up. The same does not seem to be the case in Britain, even though the prices are high.
So, every time I start the CR-V, I am mindful of these world events.
Driving this SUV is a very enjoyable, relaxed experience. In common with any other vehicle of this type, the driver and passengers are high up, so there’s a commanding view of the road ahead. The black leather seats are robust and supportive – they’re heated and cooled. And, most importantly, it’s easy to drive. Just select Drive mode and push the accelerator.
“Please turn the alarm off while boarding,” I’m asked by a Brittany Ferries member of staff as I park on the Condor ferry. “I don’t know how to,” I reply sheepishly. I then worry about the alarm going off as the Condor Ferries Voyager cuts through the ocean at a fast speed, barrelling up and down along the way. So when I hear a car alarm sounding in the first ten minutes of the crossing, I become concerned, but it’s not the Honda, and its alarm does not go off on any crossing, so that’s impressive.
On the open road, the pearlescent white CR-V will keep up with the best of them, and will accelerate to 60mph from a standstill in under 10 seconds, which, for a heavy vehicle laden with luggage and five occupants, is good enough. Equally, it will potter around country lanes without complaint. It’s comforting to know that there are bags of power if required. And it’s easy to park. I don’t like paying for parking, so will always try to find somewhere else. I find a lovely space behind another car on the edge of Cancale, a picturesque fishing village in Brittany, but there is a chunky metal bollard behind me. However, the cameras in the CR-V provide an excellent view of this irritating obstruction, and I’m able to park without any problem.
My only criticism is that I forget I’ve left the sunroof tilted open – it would be useful if this automatically closed when the vehicle is locked. The other issue is that when abroad, the DAB function on the stereo does not seem to register, so we go back to FM, and it works. The rear privacy glass poses a problem for the Customs staff, who cannot see our children, but the cavernous boot is roomy enough for all our luggage and will even carry a hay bale for my daughters’ rabbits.
A smart-looking vehicle, this sixth-generation model becomes a reliable friend over the course of the test. The CR-V was launched in 1995, the same year that I passed my driving test, aged 17. I feel old.
Facts at a glance:
Honda CR-V 2.0i-MMD Advance
OTR Price: £51,515
Engine: 2 litre
0 to 60mph: 9.5secs
Top speed: 116mph
Economy: 49mpg
Watch the video at testdrives.biz
Add a comment