Verdict
B
Mid SUV · Japan · 1995-Present
Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V — spec data and generation history.
Years
1995-Present
Generations
6
Segment
Mid SUV
Honda's mid-size SUV — six UK generations from RD1 (Mk1 1995-2001) through to the current RS (Mk6 2023-Present). Always sensible, always reliable, never the sharpest-looking. RD1 (Mk1, 1995-2001) was the Civic-derived original with 2.0 NA petrol only, viscous-coupling AWD; RD4-RD8 (Mk2, 2001-2006) added the K20/K24 family and a 2.2 i-CTDi diesel late. The 2.2 i-CTDi diesel that arrived in the RD2 face-lift defined the Mk2 and Mk3 (RE); RM (Mk4) added the i-DTEC; RW (Mk5) introduced the 1.5 VTEC Turbo and HEV from 2019; RS (Mk6) is hybrid-only with PHEV from 2024. The Volvo of the SUV world — bought by people who like things to work.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
RD1 Mk1 1995-2001 → RD Mk2 2001-2006
BHP +22 bhp
Torque +30 Nm
0-60 mph -1.1 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +0 mpg
RD Mk2 2001-2006 → RE 2007-2012
BHP +0 bhp
Torque +10 Nm
0-60 mph -0.5 s
Top speed +0 mph
MPG +5 mpg
RE 2007-2012 → RM 2012-2017
BHP +0 bhp
Torque +10 Nm
0-60 mph -0.3 s
Top speed +3 mph
MPG +8 mpg
RM 2012-2017 → RW 2017-2022
BHP +20 bhp
Torque +30 Nm
0-60 mph -0.4 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +5 mpg
RW 2017-2022 → RS 2023-Present
BHP +5 bhp
Torque +25 Nm
0-60 mph -0.2 s
Top speed -3 mph
MPG +10 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1995-2001
RD1 Mk1
→
2.0 16V (B20Z) — 126 bhp, 0-62 in 11.7s.
Verdict
C
BHP
126
0–60
11.7 s
Top
108 mph
MPG
23 mpg
Used
$600-$3,200
- + Civic-derived underpinnings
- + Genuine viscous-coupling AWD
- − Slow
- − Rear arch rust
2001-2006
RD Mk2
→
2.0 i-VTEC — 148 bhp, 0-62 in 10.6s.
Verdict
C
BHP
148
0–60
10.6 s
Top
113 mph
MPG
26 mpg
Used
$800-$4,400
- + K-series petrol bombproof
- + Real-time AWD simple
- − Body-roll handling
- − No diesel until late RD2
2007-2012
RE
→
2.2 i-CTDi — 148 bhp, 0-62 in 9.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
148
0–60
9.6 s
Top
118 mph
MPG
35 mpg
Used
$2,300-$8,300
- + 2.2 i-CTDi/i-DTEC strong
- + Cabin a real step on
- − DPF and EGR issues on diesel
- − Heavy on tyres
2012-2017
RM
→
1.6 i-DTEC — 158 bhp, 0-62 in 9.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
158
0–60
9.6 s
Top
124 mph
MPG
48 mpg
Used
$4,400-$14,000
- + 1.6 i-DTEC efficient
- + 2WD diesel option (rare for class)
- − Looks bland
- − Cabin ergonomics dated
2017-2022
RW
→
1.5 VTEC Turbo — 190 bhp, 0-62 in 9.2s.
Verdict
B
BHP
190
0–60
9.2 s
Top
129 mph
MPG
32 mpg
Used
$15,000-$36,000
- + HEV from 2019 a strong choice
- + Roomier 5+2 seat option
- − 1.5 VTEC Turbo oil dilution issue
- − No diesel option
2023-Present
RS
→
2.0 e:HEV — 181 bhp, 0-62 in 9.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
181
0–60
9.4 s
Top
112 mph
MPG
40 mpg
Used
$46,000-$66,000
- + e:PHEV plug-in option from 2024
- + Cabin much more upmarket
- − Pricey vs RAV4
- − Looks sober
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1995-2001 · RD1 Mk1
- B20Z timing belt service
- Rear viscous-coupling failure
- Air-con compressor
- Rear arch rust
2001-2006 · RD Mk2
- Rear differential fluid neglect
- K24A1 timing chain (rare)
- Air-con compressor
- Body roll in corners (soft springs)
2007-2012 · RE
- 2.2 i-CTDi DPF blockage
- EGR carbon
- Rear tailgate strut wear
2012-2017 · RM
- 1.6 i-DTEC EGR
- Active damper costs
- Infotainment dated and slow
2017-2022 · RW
- 1.5 VTEC Turbo oil dilution
- HEV 12V battery
- Honda Sensing nags
2023-Present · RS
- Launch software updates
- Hybrid 12V battery
- Brake regen squeal
Rivals
Toyota RAV4 · Mazda CX-5 · Volkswagen Tiguan · Nissan X-Trail