2021 Honda CR-V Diesel vs Gasoline Comparison: Spec Sheet Battle

Without a doubt, the Honda CR-V is a hardened veteran of the Philippine crossover market. It's been around since 1996, and until today it is still based on the Civic-sedan. Recently, the aforementioned model received a facelift. To that end, many might be eying it as their next family car. 

Then again, the CR-V has a diesel-powered version and a gasoline version. So, which one is better spec-wise? For this comparison, we’ll be comparing the CR-V S 2.0 CVT gasoline against the CR-V V 1.6 AT, since the aforementioned diesel CR-V variant is the closest in price to the gasoline version. 

2021 Honda CR-V Gas vs Diesel Comparison. Do note that the diesel CR-V on the video is the top-spec CR-V SX variant

In terms of size, both the CR-V diesel variants and the gasoline variants are identical. Both have a length of 4,623mm, a width of 1,855mm, and a height of 1,668mm. Also, their wheelbases have a length of 2,662mm.  

Compare the CR-V V diesel (right) and the CR-V S gasoline (left) using the slider function

Regarding curb vehicle weights, the CR-V diesel is heavier at 1,618 kg. The CR-V meanwhile has a curb weight of 1,505 kg.  

While the CR-V S gasoline and CR-V V diesel have the same amount of ground clearance at 198mm, do note also that the top-spec CR-V SX comes with 208mm of ground clearance. 

In terms of exterior equipment, both the CR-V V diesel and CR-V S gasoline are equipped with roof rails, front fog lamps, and turn signal side repeaters. The foglamps on the diesel versions however are bar-shaped, while the ones on the gasoline are round. Apart from that, the headlamps on the gasoline model are halogens, whereas the CR-V diesel gets LED headlamps. Both do get LED taillights. And lastly, both also come standard with daytime running lamps. 
 

One of the biggest differences between the diesel and gasoline CR-V is seating capacity. For the CR-V V diesel, it gets a third-row, meaning that it’s a seven-seater model. The CR-V S gasoline in turn, is only a five-seater. Speaking of seats, both the diesel and gasoline models get leather-covered seats. 

The CR-V S gasoline and CR-V V's interior is similar. The V variant however gets a smaller touchscreen

For keeping their occupants cool, both the CR-V S gasoline and CR-V V diesel get an automatic air-conditioning system with rear vents. The S variant however has dual-zone, while the CR-V V has a single-zone AC. Then again, the top-spec SX also gets a dual-zone AC. 

In terms of driving amenities, both of the gasoline and diesel CR-Vs also come with a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, though the one on the CR-V V is made out of urethane, whereas the CR-V S gasoline has a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both also get manual seat adjustment, a digital gauge cluster and trip computer, and cruise control.  

The third and second-row of the seven-seater diesel CR-V (SX variant pictured)

The CR-V S gasoline however does get a push to start button, while the CR-V V diesel has turn-key ignition. The other diesel CR-V trims however do get a push to start button. 

When it comes to onboard entertainment, the CR-V V diesel is equipped with a five-inch touchscreen with USB and Bluetooth connectivity. In comparison, the CR-V gasoline comes with a larger seven-inch screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB. While the latter is larger, both touchscreens are linked to a four-piece speaker system. Do note however that the top-spec CR-V SX diesel also comes with a seven-inch screen with similar connectivity options as the CR-V S gasoline

By not having a third-row, the CR-V S Gasoline gets more trunk space

Other than seating capacity, another huge difference between the two CR-V trims we’re talking about is their engines. 

Under the hood of the CR-V V is a 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine capable of making up to 118 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. It is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, which then sends power to its front wheels. Of note, this is the same diesel mill found on the top-spec CR-V SX diesel. The said top variant however is all-wheel-drive.

The CR-V V's 1.6-liter i-DTEC inline-4 turbodiesel 

As per its variant name, the CR-V S gasoline in turn uses a 2.0-liter gasoline mill, which can produce up to 152 horsepower and 189 Nm of torque. It uses a CVT, and it also has paddle shifters. It is also a front-wheel-drive vehicle. 

The 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline mill on the CR-V S variant

By using the same platform however, the CR-V V diesel and CR-V S gasoline use the same MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear end. Braking is then handled by disc brakes for all four wheels, and both also use an electronic parking brake with an auto-brake hold function. 

In terms of safety, the CR-V V diesel and the CR-V S gasoline both come with anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, tire pressure monitoring, speed-sensing door locks, stability control, car alarm, and engine immobilizer. 

The gasoline CR-V S variant however, does get more with its walk-away auto-lock system, blind-spot detection, lane departure warning system. It also has more airbags numbering at six. The CR-V V diesel in comparison only has dual front airbags. 
 

If you judged these CR-V variants by their prices alone, you’d think that the CR-V S gasoline is the entry-level version. Well, that’s really isn’t accurate since it is actually specced better than the CR-V V diesel when it comes to on-board tech. It has a better touchscreen, a better driver amenities kit, as well as a better safety kit. 

Then again, the CR-V V diesel is the cheapest seven-seater CR-V that you can get. It might be slightly less plush than the CR-V S, but it can comfortably fit your entire barkada/family. The CR-V S however, by virtue of lacking a third-row, also works well for cargo. 

The Honda CR-V S gasoline has a lot going for it in terms of on-board tech and features

As for engines, the diesel of course makes more torque. And according to our on-road test of the top-spec CR-V SX diesel, it is more fuel efficient. It returned 11 km/l on city roads, and 22 km/l on the highway with an average speed of 90 km/h. The gasoline CR-V meanwhile gave 8 km/l in the city, and 15.2 km/l on the highway with the same average speed. 

Note also that having a third-row and a diesel engine comes with a price. In fact, the CR-V V diesel is Php 35,000 more expensive than the CR-V S gasoline. That’s despite the fact that it has less tech. 

If your primary concern is passenger capacity however, you'll do well to get the CR-V V diesel

To sum it all up, the CR-V S gasoline is there for people who don’t care much about seating capacity, but want more on-board tech. The CR-V V diesel meanwhile, is for those who want to fit as many passengers as they could, while being more fuel efficient. 

Did this comparison help you make your choice of CR-V? For more like this, keep it here on Philkotse.com.