2025 Honda CR-V VTi L7 review

The latest Honda CR-V has quickly become the Japanese brand’s best seller in Australia, though it’s not quite as popular as it once was.

While rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mazda CX-5 continue to light up the sales charts and the medium SUV segment as a whole – the country’s most popular new vehicle class – the CR-V accounts for just under three per cent of that market.

That’s despite offering a relatively unique-in-segment three-row option – like the 2025 Honda CR-V VTi L7 on test here – with nationwide drive-away pricing as well as a pretty bloody cheap aftersales program.

Perhaps it’s the lack of a hybrid option lower down in the range, or maybe it’s just that Australians aren’t brave enough to go against the grain despite the CR-V’s numerous strengths.

Anyway, the dearest CR-V seven-seater sits at the upper end of the segment. It’s aligned with upper-spec versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail seven-seaters, despite not offering all-wheel drive.

WATCH: Paul’s video review of the Honda CR-V VTi L7

But unlike said rivals, the CR-V offers turbo-petrol power (versus naturally aspirated) and offers Honda’s unique take on design and practicality. It’s almost sort of Japanese, Volkswagen or IKEA in its design and presentation.

So, should the latest CR-V be on your radar if you’re looking at a 5+2-seat family SUV? Or are its Japanese compatriots – or even perhaps something like a Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace or Skoda Kodiaq – a better buy?

How does the Honda CR-V compare?

View a detailed breakdown of the Honda CR-V against similarly sized vehicles.

Honda

CR-V

How much does the Honda CR-V cost?

The CR-V VTi L7 on test here is priced from $53,500 drive-away nationwide, making it the most expensive seven-seat CR-V variant.

Model	Drive-away pricing
2025 Honda CR-V VTi X+	$41,900 (-$2800)
2025 Honda CR-V VTi X7	$47,300
2025 Honda CR-V VTi L	$49,300
2025 Honda CR-V VTi L AWD	$51,800
2025 Honda CR-V VTi L7	$53,500
2025 Honda CR-V VTi LX AWD	$57,500
2025 Honda CR-V e:HEV RS	$59,900 (-$500)

To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Honda CR-V like on the inside?

Honda’s interiors are a little same-same, which is good if you’re stepping up from a Civic or HR-V. While it could be considered a little austere or even boring, it’s a very clean and ergonomically sound cabin.

The straight lines give the impression of width, while the tall roofline and open-plan design really drive home that airy and spacious feel.

Its largely black colour scheme may lack the visual drama of lighter interior options offered by some rivals, but it’s nicely presented and the touch points feel high quality.

Also gone are the ageing displays from the previous-generation CR-V and the clunky software of Honda’s old model range in general, and in its place is the brand’s latest infotainment interface with connected services as standard, offering a simple and easy user experience with a full set of features and connectivity.

A five-year subscription to Honda Connect is included with the purchase of every new CR-V, as well as various other models in the line-up.

Honda Connect highlights:

Remote functions
- Climate control pre-conditioning
- Lights on/off
- Remote lock/lock
Automatic collision detection
Speed Alert
Vehicle status
Emergency call
Virtual dashboard
Location finder
Trip log
Geofence alert
Push notifications and messages

Ahead of the driver is a part-digital instrument cluster. I’m a fan of the pared-back design and crisp typeface, which have a bit of a European feel – though I wish this higher-spec grade got the 10.25-inch display from the VTi LX.

The all-digital setup has a fun little live graphic in the centre that has a little virtual CR-V corresponding to indicators and brake lights, and will show you the assistance systems at work when activated.

However, there’s little other configurability other than widgets in the centre of either dial. There’s no Volkswagen-style full navigation map display or other layouts to change things up.

The front seats are really comfy, and the driver gets an eight-way powered seat across the range, meaning it’s pretty easy to find a comfortable perch in which to spend long stints behind the wheel.

The ergonomics are very sound, with key functions like climate control and volume operated via knurled rotary dials, and other buttons getting similarly tactile switchgear. These elements could have been lifted straight out of an Audi.

The 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a welcome step forward (or two) over the previous generation, and like other models in the lineup it offers clean graphics, solid responses and a good level of functionality including wireless Apple CarPlay.

For those wary of menu-dense infotainment systems or intimidated by long technology feature lists, the CR-V’s unit is an excellent example of how modern functionality can be integrated and presented very simply and seamlessly.

Even better, the physical shortcut buttons and volume knob on the driver’s side of the display avoid the useability quirks of touch-based systems. If I had one small complaint, a larger display would be nice given most rivals are offering 12-inch screens at this price point.

Being one of the larger entrants in the mid-sized SUV segment, the CR-V’s second and third rows are highlights.

Rear passenger accommodation is above average for the class, particularly leg and knee room. Head room has been improved thanks to the scalloped roof behind the panoramic sunroof in applicable grades, but is still a bit on the tighter side compared to rivals.

There are ISOFIX child seat anchors on the outboard seats, and top-tether points for all three. One knock is the ceiling-mounted centre seatbelt, which is a bit old-hat.

You also get rear air vents, map pockets, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, and bottle holders in the doors, as well as USB-C ports at the rear of the centre console. Seven-seat models you also add a third zone of climate control with roof-mounted vents.

A quick sit in the third row reveals a great one-touch mechanism to get the second row seats out of the way, though the third-row seats are best left for kids.

Seven-seat models quote 150L of cargo space behind the third row of seating and get a space-saver spare under the boot floor. Annoyingly, the rearmost seats make for a stepped boot floor when folded, though an adjustable insert can level it out.

Dimensions	Honda CR-V VTi L7
Length	4704mm
Width	1866mm
Height	1681mm
Wheelbase	2701mm
Cargo capacity	150 litres – 7 seats 1457 lites – 2 seats (to roof)

To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

All ‘VTi’ versions of the CR-V are powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. In the case of the L7, drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels.

Specifications	Honda CR-V VTi L7
Engine	1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol
Power	140kW at 6000rpm
Torque	240Nm at 1700-5000rpm
Transmission	CVT
Drive type	Front-wheel drive
Weight	1700kg – kerb
Fuel economy (claimed)	7.3L/100km
Fuel economy (as tested)	8.9L/100km
Fuel tank capacity	57 litres
Fuel requirement	91 octane unleaded
CO2 emissions	167g/km
Emissions standard	Euro 6b
Braked tow capacity	1000kg

To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Honda CR-V drive?

At the Australian media launch I said the CR-V was a good thing, and this seven-seat version is cut from the same cloth.

The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine might be small on paper, but with the added boost of a turbocharger the CR-V is torquier and more effortless to drive than many of its Japanese competitors with naturally aspirated engines.

Peak torque comes in from just 1700rpm and the CVT auto does a good job of keeping you in the motor’s sweet spot. It’s best treated with a measured right foot, as while the CR-V makes good progress with the throttle, the engine’s buzzy note and CVT’s tendency to hold revs can make it sound a little slurry and whiny.

In normal driving scenarios it’s smooth and relatively refined, able to effortlessly glide along while riding its wave of torque. You don’t really miss all-wheel drive unless you’re gunning it from the lights or are driving on wet, slippery or loose surfaces.

The turbo-petrol engine will start to find its limits once you start loading the CR-V up with people and stuff too. I stuffed five blokes in, including myself, along with golf clubs and luggage, and it didn’t feel quite as peppy. That said, naturally aspirated rivals would feel even more anaemic in that situation.

The well-tuned ride means the suspension irons out the lumps and bumps of inner city life very nicely, with the L7’s 18-inch wheels and chubbier 235/60 rubber striking a good balance between comfort and handling.

Honda’s recent models have made a name for themselves with their quick and feelsome steering, and it’s no different here in the latest CR-V.

The fluid feel and quick response means the CR-V is super easy to steer and manoeuvre in tight city streets and car parks, shrinking around you and feeling like a much smaller car.

Out on the open road or on country B-roads, this also gives the big Honda an eager and dynamic feel that isn’t matched by a lot of its rivals – especially not the Outlander.

It feels very Euro in tune, finding the delicate balance between dynamism and comfort that vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace in particular do quite well.

It also does a good job of keeping road and wind noise at bay, though there’s a bit of tyre roar on rougher bitumen.

The Honda Sensing suite of assists deserve praise, too. The adaptive cruise, lane centring and Traffic Jam Assist functions offer a level of refinement and user-friendliness akin to European makes.

Honda has also done away with the LaneWatch blind-spot camera, and fitted actual blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems which work much better. That’s interesting, because the Thai-market CR-V gets LaneWatch unlike Australian models, which come out of the same factory.

To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The VTi L and L7 grades are technically one-up from base, though the LX and RS are only available with five seats.

2025 Honda CR-V VTi X + X7 equipment highlights:

17-inch alloy wheels
Automatic LED headlights with manual height adjustment
Hands-free power tailgate with walk-away close
Power-folding exterior mirrors
Automatic high-beam
Proximity entry with push-button start
7.0-inch instrument cluster screen
9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wired Android Auto
Over-the-air updates
DAB+ digital radio
8-speaker sound system
Wireless phone charger
5yr Honda Connect subscription
- Remote adjustment for climate control, lights, locks
- Emergency call button
- Geofencing and speed alerts
- Vehicle information viewable in app
8-way power driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar
Fabric upholstery
LED map lights
Dual-zone climate control with second-row vents
Power windows with auto up/down for driver’s window
Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
Electric parking brake with auto hold
Third row of seating with air vents (VTi X7)
Dual-zone climate control (VTi X+)
Tri-zone climate control (VTi X7)

CR-V VTi L + VTi L7 add:

18-inch alloy wheels
Panoramic sunroof (VTi L7 only)
Rain-sensing wipers
Paddle shifters
Satellite navigation with over-the-air map updates
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
4-way power passenger seat
Heated front seats
Driver’s seat memory
Leather upholstery
Auto up/down for all windows
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

CR-V VTi LX AWD adds:

19-inch alloy wheels
10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
12-speaker Bose sound system
Woodgrain trim
Ambient lighting
Auto headlight height adjustment

CR-V e:HEV RS adds:

Adaptive LED headlights
Active cornering lights
Alloy sports pedals
‘Hairline metal’ interior trim
Black headliner
Red stitching details

To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Colours

The CR-V is offered with a range of no-cost exterior paint finishes.

Available finishes include:

Ignite Red metallic
Platinum White pearlescent
Lunar Silver metallic
Meteoroid Grey metallic
Crystal Black pearlescent (excl. VTi X+)
Canyon River Blue metallic (excl. VTi X+)

To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Honda CR-V safe?

The Honda CR-V has a four-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2024.

Category	Honda CR-V
Adult occupant protection	88 per cent
Child occupant protection	88 per cent
Vulnerable road user protection	76 per cent
Safety assist	68 per cent

Standard safety equipment includes:

10 airbags
Autonomous emergency braking
Adaptive cruise control
Blind-spot monitoring
Driver attention monitoring
Lane-keep assist
Lane centring assist
Parking sensors – front, rear
Rear cross-traffic alert
Reversing camera
Traffic Jam Assist
Traffic sign recognition
Tyre pressure monitoring

To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Honda CR-V cost to run?

The Honda CR-V is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. CR-V e:HEV hybrid models additionally are covered by an eight-year warranty for the high-voltage battery.

Servicing and Warranty	Honda CR-V VTi L7
Warranty	5 years, unlimited kilometres
Roadside assistance	5 years
Service intervals	12 months or 10,000 kilometres
Capped-price servicing	5 years
Total capped-price service cost	$199 each $995 total

To see how the Honda CR-V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Honda CR-V

The CR-V VTi L7 puts in a solid showing, and fares well against rival models for similar money.

However, I’m unsure I’d personally invest the additional $6000 over the well-rounded VTi X7 unless you really want the sunroof, leather and navigation as key additions over the base model.

It also lacks the all-paw traction of its seven-seat rivals, which could be a deal-breaker for many Australian families wanting that added peace of mind. Regardless, this spec covers most bases and does everything rather well.

Honda’s cheap servicing should certainly be a drawcard, though the shorter 10,000km intervals mean if your annual mileage is on the higher side, you’ll be back at the service centre more often.

A solid choice in the segment, if not quite a standout in this specification.