Honda CR-V (2017-2023) review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

The driving position in the fifth-generation CR-V is one of the best aspects of the car’s interior, with plenty of adjustment in the seats and steering wheel combined with an uncluttered view through the windscreen, while the view out is also good for passengers in the rear seats. There are plenty of storage areas in the cabin, in particular, the centre console offers an adaptable amount of space by offering the facility to slide forwards and backwards. 

Size

The CR-V is significantly longer than both the Volkswagen Tiguan and Peugeot 3008 and only a fraction shorter than the Land Rover Discovery Sport. That makes it one of the largest vehicles in the segment and contributes to the impressive amount of interior space. Compared with these vehicles, the CR-V is both taller and wider than all but the Discovery Sport, again illustrating an impressive level of space efficiency.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Occupants of the first and second rows in the CR-V enjoy excellent head and legroom, and a great deal of attention has clearly been paid to maximise comfort and space for passengers. For example, the transmission tunnel has been made as slim as possible to ensure minimal intrusion into legroom for the rear passenger in the middle seat. A third row of seats is no longer available with the Hybrid model.

Boot 

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Due to the latest CR-V’s design, the boot V is fractionally smaller than the previous generation model’s. It still offers a substantial 497 litres, though, which is more than in the Nissan Qashqai but less than in the Volkswagen Tiguan and Land Rover Discovery Sport. An electric tailgate is standard only on the top specification EX models, but the boot itself has a relatively low loading lip for an SUV and a broad opening.

Folding the seats is also easy, with a single strap for the third row and convenient levers located in the boot for row two. Honda’s Magic Seat design means the second row folds flat into the floor automatically too. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V offers up to 1,692 litres of space.

Towing

The CR-V hybrid can only pull a braked trailer weighing 750kg, while the unbraked towing capacity is 600kg.