Which 2024 Honda CR-V variant should you buy? [Comparison Guide]

The 2024 Honda CR-V is now available in the Philippines and it ups the ante in the midsize crossover market thanks to its improved looks, enhanced safety kit, and its new hybrid powertrain option.

The 2024 Honda CR-V RS e:HEV

Locally, the next-generation CR-V gets three variants. There’s the top-spec CR-V RS e:HEV (hybrid), the mid-spec CR-V VX AWD, and the entry-level CR-V V FWD.

These three are vastly different from each other and so newbie car buyers might need some help in picking the right one for their needs. So without further ado, here’s a guide on the differences between the 2024 CR-V’s available trims.

Honda CR-V Variants: Exterior

To begin this guide, let’s go over the three variant’s sizes. All three trims are 4,691mm long and 1,866mm wide. The RS hybrid and the entry-level V are 1,681mm tall, while the mid-spec VX is taller at 1,691mm.

The 2024 Honda CR-V VX AWD CVT

Both the hybrid and the entry-level variant also have a wheelbase length of 2,701mm and a ground clearance of 198mm. The VX in turn, has a slightly shorter wheelbase of 2,700mm while having more ground clearance at 208mm.

Standard on all three trims is a pair of LED headlamps with auto on/off function, sequential turn signal lamps, power-folding side mirrors, roof rails, front LED fog lamps, tailgate spoiler, and LED taillights. All three also get a power tailgate, though the one on the top-spec trim comes with a hands-free function. Both the VX and the top-spec trim get rain-sensing wipers and a piano black honeycomb grille.

CR-V RS e:HEV from the rear

Exclusive to the top-spec RS hybrid are piano black color for the side mirrors, a rear LED foglamp, auto-leveling for the LED headlamps, a panoramic sunroof, and body-color mudguards.

Regarding wheels, all trims ride on a set of 18-inch alloy wheels. The set for the RS e:HEV though, is colored in piano black. The VX and V in comparison, are colored in plain silver.

CR-V VX AWD from the rear

Honda CR-V Variants: Interior

The biggest element that sets the hybrid version from the VX and V is its two-row seating arrangement. This means that the RS hybrid trim has a seating capacity for five individuals. The VX and V have three rows with a 2+3+2 seat configuration, which translates to a seating capacity for seven individuals.

All three do get a 60:40 split-folding second-row seat, but only the VX and V come with a reclining 50:50 split-folding third row.

A peek inside the top-spec RS e:HEV trim

As a result, the top-spec hybrid gets the largest trunk with a default cargo space of 581 liters. This can then be expanded to 1,064 liters with the second row folded down. The VX and V meanwhile, offer a default trunk space of 150 liters which expands to 840 liters with the second and third row folded.

Going back to the 2024 CR-V’s cockpit, the RS hybrid gets some extra visual pizzaz thanks to the addition of red-colored stitching for its leather seats, and its piano black and brushed metal interior trims. The other two get plain black leather seats and piano black interior trims. Although, the VX gets some wood finishes while the V features bits of honeycomb pattern finishes.

For driver amenities, all three come standard with tilt and telescopic steering columns, a push-to-start button, ambient lighting, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather shift knob, active noise control, etc.

2024 CR-V's second row (RS e:HEV trim shown)

Only the top-spec hybrid trim gets a heads-up display and a four-way power-adjustable lumbar support.

Last but not least, the top-spec model gets a dual-zone automatic climate control system while the V and VX get a triple-zone automatic climate control system. This means that the hybrid version gets two individualized air-conditioning control settings (driver and front passenger) while the seven-seater variants have three (driver, front passenger, and second row).

Honda CR-V Variants: Tech & Safety

Providing on-board entertainment aboard all three CR-V variants is a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. The display also gets Bluetooth, audio streaming, and USB connectivity.

Charging on this crossover is handled by a wireless charging pad, a 12-volt accessory outlet, two second-row type C USB ports, one front USB type C port, and one front USB type A port.

Sound is fed into the RS e:HEV’s cabin is a  12-piece Bose speaker system. The VX and V meanwhile, gets a more generic eight-piece speaker system.

Standard on all variants is a nine-inch touchscreen (RS e:HEV trim shown)

Also present on the entire CR-V variant lineup is a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster. This gives the driver various car-related information. On this hybrid trim, this extends to a power flow meter which keeps track of its battery supply.

Standard on all variants of the CR-V is a total of seven airbags, anti-lock braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, blindspot camera (Honda LaneWatch), a driver attention monitor, etc.

Exclusive to the RS and VX is a 360-degree view camera, while the V comes with a wide reverse camera. All trims get four rear parking sensors, but only the top-spec hybrid gets four front parking sensors.

All get a power tailgate, but only the RS e:HEV comes with a hands-free function

Supporting those standard safety features on all CR-V variants is the Honda Sensing driver-assistive safety suite. This includes adaptive cruise control, low speed follow, collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, road departure warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lead car departure notification, etc.

Also standard on the CR-V is a three-year subscription to the Honda Connect app. This enables users to remotely control various features of the car. This includes remote locking, remote engine starting, and remotely controlling its air-conditioning. It can likewise provide various vehicle information like location, service schedule alerts, etc.

Honda CR-V Variants: Engine

There are two different engine options for the 2024 CR-V. Exclusive to the top-spec trim is a hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline mill with a dual-motor and lithium-ion battery setup.

The CR-V RS e:HEV's engine bay

Alone, the RS hybrid’s four-banger can produce up to 145 horsepower and 183 Nm of torque. The dual motors then give an additional 181 horsepower and 335 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to its front wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT). Honda PH said the combined power output of the CR-V RS e:HEV is 204 horsepower.

For the non-hybrid VX and V, both are propelled by a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline mill that’s good for 187 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. Both use CVT, but the V is front-wheel-drive, while the VX is all-wheel-drive.

Only the RS hybrid gets paddle shifters for its manual mode. It is also the sole trim that gets sport, eco, and normal drive modes. The VX and V do come with an eco mode.

2024 CR-V side profile

For suspensions, this Honda-made model uses a MacPherson strut for the front and a Multilink-type suspension for the rear. All three then use 17-inch disc brakes for all four wheels, plus an electronic parking brake.

Honda CR-V Variants: Price

Honda CR-V Variants: Conclusion

The top-spec CR-V RS e:HEV offers a buyer several advantages over the other two trims. While it is the priciest, it gets the most power and is by far the most feature-heavy trim. It also gets the most trunk space, though buyers wanting to carry the most people might want to go for the VX and V.

The VX’s and V’s feature set, while not as extensive as the top-spec hybrid, is already plentiful. It may not have the stand-out styling of the top-of-the-line version but they are quieter-looking.

The top-spec trim gets some unique exterior styling bits

Keeping traction on various road surfaces may be easier on the VX as compared to the other two trims. This is because it is the only version with all-wheel-drive. It also gets the most ground clearance, so if one needs to go on rough roads sometimes, this might be the one to get.

Lastly, the V is the trim to get if you just want a Honda-branded family hauler. It might not be as fancy or powerful as the RS or as “rough-road-ready” as the VX, but it could still do the job.

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