Costs & verdict
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
Costs, insurance groups, MPG and CO2
If you simply look at its list price, the Honda CR-V seems rather expensive compared with the Citroën C5 Aircross and Mazda CX-5. They will be better bets if you want the lowest cash buy, but compared with other models, including the Kia Sorento, the CR-V is very competitively priced. It has strong resale values too, although not as strong as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's.
The 2.0 i-MMD Hybrid has always impressed us when it comes to fuel economy, and in our real-world test it managed more than 45mpg, which makes it a genuine alternative for a diesel. On the same day, the Kia Sorento Hybrid averaged 38mpg and the Land Rover Discovery Sport P200 mild hybrid did 25mpg.
Going for the pricier SR adds leather seats, heated front seats, ambient lighting and keyless entry, while the top-of-the-range EX features 19in alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, a heated steering wheel and a head-up display. These upgrades really push you up the price list, though, which is why we say stick with SE.
