2021 Honda CR-V S Review | Philkotse Philippines

The Honda CR-V was first introduced in the Philippines in 1996. It’s one of the first crossover vehicles offered in the local market. The name CR-V stands for “comfortable runabout vehicle,” which basically defines what this Honda-made crossover can offer to you. Since then it has undergone design changes but it’s still built using the Civic’s platform.

When the fifth generation of the CR-V was launched, it already comes with a 7-seater configuration and for the first time - a diesel engine. But Honda still offered a CR-V that comes with its OG features: a five-seater capacity, and a gasoline engine. By 2020, Honda Car Philippines Inc. introduced the facelifted version of the CR-V. With that, what can the CR-V S gasoline variant offer to you? Can it erase the stigma of being a gas-guzzler? Here’s Philkotse.com’s full review of the 2021 Honda CR-V S.

The facelifted Honda CR-V was launched last October 2020. It features subtle yet distinctive design changes. The front-end still looks similar to the older model but the minor tweaks integrated into the CR-V result in a sleeker-looking exterior. The 2021 Honda CR-V now also shares some similarities to the US-spec model.

2021 Honda CR-V

Changes to the front include a revamped upper grille that now comes with a gloss black trim instead of chrome. This design detail is one of the things I like since it gives the vehicle a more polished look. It also has a restyled front bumper that now features a seamless mustache-like chrome trim, and more black cladding. Other than that, the CR-V still gets the same LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED fog lamps.

Look at that 18-inch alloy wheels

The side profile of the CR-V comes with the same composition as the pre-facelift model. It still comes with familiar character lines, black cladding, and chrome trim. The thing that got my attention the most is the redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels. It looks like a flower or a clover that reminds me of the Boston Celtics. For added functionality, this CR-V comes with roof rails, which is sort of a standard in crossover vehicles in the market today.  

The CR-V now come with smoky LED taillights

The rear also gets subtle design changes as seen on the CR-V’s LED taillights, which are now integrated with black trims giving a smoky finish. Aside from the taillights, the bumper gets a design tweak that now features a silver garnish instead of a skid plate. It still the same tailgate-mounted spoiler and shark-fin antenna.

It has a dark interior theme

The interior of the 2021 CR-V retains the current size and layout. The CR-V S has a dark interior theme with piano black trims and silver accents. Soft-touch materials are also integrated into the cabin. One of the selling points of the CR-V S is the space and comfort it offers to its occupants.

The leather seats further add to the overall ride comfort although, the driver’s seat comes with a manual adjustment only. The CR-V is also equipped with a leather-wrapped steering wheel that looks like the one fitted to the Civic. The placement and the materials used for the steering-wheel-mounted controls are also identical to Honda’s compact sedan. Speaking of which, I’m not quite sold on the materials used for the mounted controls as it feels too plasticky.

Gear lever is positioned higher than usual

The CR-V gets the usual Honda digital instrument cluster. Placed at the center of the dash is the 7-inch infotainment touchscreen that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen gives you crisp images but updating the look of its interface would be better as several crossovers in the market right now come with a slightly more advanced-looking infotainment system.  

The gear lever is right below the climate controls, which is positioned higher than usual, making you feel like your an airline pilot every time you shift from Park (P) to Drive (D). The center console has storage spaces for an assortment of items such as your mobile phone. It also has two USB ports, cup holders, and a center glove box.

The CR-V comes with spacious second-row seats

The second-row seats offer generous leg- and head-room. It can accommodate up to three individuals but the elbow room might be a bit cramped, especially for the passenger that’s sitting in the middle. This CR-V also gets rear aircon vents, which helps cool down the cabin more efficiently. You’ll also appreciate the two USB ports located below the AC vents.

Loading four to five overnight bags is not a problem

You get a lot of cargo space at the back since the CR-V S variant comes with a five-seater configuration. It offers you a flat and more spacious cargo area since it doesn’t come with third-row seats. Loading four to five overnight bags is not a problem with more room to spare for other items. In case you’re wondering, the CR-V S doesn’t come with a power tailgate.

Seamless phone integration

This CR-V comes with tech and safety features one would expect from a modern crossover. The 7-inch infotainment touchscreen system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allows a seamless smartphone integration. Through the Apple CarPlay, you access apps such as Waze and Spotify, while having Siri as your private assistant in case you need to call or text someone.

The infotainment touchscreen transforms into a rear camera when you put the gear in reverse. It comes with dynamic guidelines to help you park the vehicle safer and easier. The touchscreen can also give you a live feed from the camera that’s placed beneath the right exterior/side mirror. It activates when you flick the indicator light switch to the right, which lessens blind spots when you’re turning. You can also activate it by pressing the button that can be found on the indicator light switch, which is useful in case you need to drive through tight streets.

Rear camera with dynamic guidelines

The CR-V S also has electronic parking brakes with auto hold, four speakers, and a low tire pressure warning. Safety-wise, it comes with an ensemble of airbags (dual front, side, and side curtain). It is also equipped with an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, among others.

The 2021 Honda CR-V S is equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine that puts out 152 hp and 189 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and power is sent to the front wheels.

The CR-V S is powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline engine

The CR-V delivers ample power that gives you a relaxed driving feel. One of the things that I like about this car is its steering feel since it’s not too light nor heavy. This is beneficial when you plan to have the CR-V as your daily driver around the urban jungle as it minimizes driver fatigue. It does get a bit firm when you start to gain speed, which is nice since it gives you better control, especially when you’re driving at highway speeds.

The thing I like most about the CR-V is the ride comfort it offers to you. The suspension is notable as it gives you a smooth ride even when you’re driving through the dilapidated roads of EDSA. Yes, you’ll still feel occasional bumps while on the road but the CR-V absorbs road impacts well. This CR-V also has commendable acceleration despite having a CVT.

The CR-V is a smooth operator

It is also stable and planted on the road when driven along the open highway. The CR-V cruises smoothly on the expressway giving you a pleasant drive, and makes you feel safe behind the wheel. Its throttle response is also good, which allows you to overtake slower vehicles with confidence. In case you want to have a more performance-oriented drive, the CR-V S has a Sport mode and paddle shifters.

This is probably what concerns a lot of people when discussing the Honda CR-V. If you’re one of the individuals who consider the CR-V S as a gas-guzzler, you might want to retract that mindset. I took out the CR-V around the city as much as I can when the test unit was with me. I drove it to and from Quezon City, and within Makati’s urban jungle without thinking too much about getting a decent fuel economy. In other words, I drove it like how I normally drive any other car.

With that, I was able to get a fuel economy of 8 km/l while driving it at an average speed of 20 km/h. If you ask me, that’s a reasonable fuel eco. On the other hand, I was able to get 15.2 km/l while driving it at an average speed of 90 km/h on the open highway.  

2021 Honda CR-V S

The 2021 Honda CR-V S is priced at Php 1,678,000. It comes with subtle design changes that result in a sleeker and better-looking exterior. The CR-V also offers you a smooth and comfortable ride, a spacious interior, and adequate power delivery. But more importantly, the CR-V S variant’s fuel economy is reasonable considering its overall size.

Come to think of it, the CR-V S offers you solid points that could make it a more practical choice compared to its other variants. This is especially true when you don’t have the need for a seven-seater CR-V. With its price point and all of the stuff that it can offer, the CR-V S should be on your list when you’re looking for a five-seater compact crossover.