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

Updated Nov 10, 2022

Which CR-V is better on paper?

In this article...

  1. Same model, but which one’s better on paper?
  2. Exterior
  3. Interior
  4. Engine and Performance
  5. Safety
  6. Price
  7. Conclusion

2021 Honda CR-V Diesel vs Gasoline: Same model, but which one’s better on paper?

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. 

Honda CR-V gas vs diesel

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

2021 Honda CR-V Diesel vs Gasoline: Exterior

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.  

Honda CR-V dieselHonda CR-V S gasoline

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. 
 

2021 Honda CR-V Diesel vs Gasoline: Interior

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. 

A picture of the interior of the Honda CR-V S

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.  

A picture of the interior of the 7-seater CR-V

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

A picture of the CR-V S gasoline's trunk

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

 

2021 Honda CR-V Diesel vs Gasoline: Engine and Performance

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.

A picture of the CR-V diesel's engine

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. 

A picture of the CR-V S gasoline's engine

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. 

Specs 

Honda CR-V V 1.6 AT 

Honda CR-V S 2.0 CVT 

Engine 

1.6-liter turbodiesel 

2.0-liter gasoline 

Horsepower 

118  

152 

Torque 

300 Nm 

189 Nm 

Transmission 

9-speed AT 

CVT 

Drivetrain 

Front-wheel-drive 

Front-wheel-drive 

2021 Honda CR-V Diesel vs Gasoline: Safety

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. 
 

2021 Honda CR-V Diesel vs Gasoline: Price

2021 Honda CR-V Variants 

Price 

CR-V S 2.0 CVT 

Php 1,678,000 

CR-V V 1.6 AT 

Php 1,713,000 

CR-V S 1.6 AT Diesel 

Php 1,888,000 

CR-V SX 1.6 AWD AT Diesel 

Php 2,158,000 

>>> Honda Philippines price list update newest !

2021 Honda CR-V Diesel vs Gasoline: Conclusion

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. 

A picture of the Honda CR-V S gasoline

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. 

A picture of the CR-V V

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.
 

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

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