2021 Honda CR-V facelift spices things up for the Philippine market

Updated Sep 21, 2022 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

The biggest change is with the infotainment system.

Three decades is a milestone for any business venture, and it happens to be the same length of time that Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has been serving the Filipino market. To celebrate 30 years of existence, HCPI launches the all-new Honda City and the facelifted 2021 CR-V.

CR-V 1

The refreshed CR-V adopts the U.S. version's relatively flashier fascia

The refreshed Honda CR-V builds on the successful formula established by the current model, which is why the changes are minimal yet distinct. Body length has grown 52mm over the outgoing model to 4,623mm, while width and height practically remain the same at 1,855mm and 1,668mm, respectively. At 2,662mm, the wheelbase has a marginal 2mm increase.

2021 Honda CR-V Facelift First Look Philippines: Spicing up the working recipe

Largely retaining the current version’s fascia, the 2021 Honda CR-V carries a blacked-out grille and a more prominent front bumper with chrome surround, which it adopts from the U.S.-spec model. The housing for the bar-type LED fog lamps holds larger vents.

The same body cladding is present on the wheel wells that house redesigned alloy wheels, ranging from 17 to 18 inches. Power-adjustable mirrors with auto-fold feature also have integrated turn signal repeaters.

CR-V 4

Smoked tail lamps top a more subtle rear bumper

For the rear, the combination tail lamps surrounding the tailgate have been smoked with a black tint. The redesigned rear bumper does away with the skid plate and features more chrome trim.

Heading to the interior, the 2021 CR-V retains the current cabin’s size and layout, featuring piano-black trim and two-tone wood accents. There’s available leather seating for up to seven occupants, with memory settings for the power-adjustable front seats.

A full-color instrument cluster sits behind the leather steering wheel, while the 7-inch touchscreen head unit now features support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless charging has also been added as a bonus, available exclusively in the top-spec variant.

CR-V 7

The top-spec SX variant comes with onboard wireless charging

Under the hood, the 2021 CR-V continues to rely on a 2.0L i-VTEC gasoline engine producing 152 hp and 189 Nm of torque for the entry-level variant, and a 1.6L Earth Dreams turbodiesel engine that generates 118 hp and 300 Nm of twist.

The gasoline mill works with a continuously variable transmission, while the diesel is linked to a 9-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on most variants, with the range-topping SX getting all-wheel-drive.

The Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies is also present on the top-spec S and SX trims, comprising features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Low-Speed Follow, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane-Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.

All CR-V variants get four-wheel anti-lock brakes, Agile Handling Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, and a reverse camera. Dual airbags are default, with the base S and range-topping SX offering side and side curtain airbags.

>>> Related: 2021 Honda CR-V: Expectations and what we know so far

CR-V 10

Expect the same Honda flexibility when it comes to cargo space

The 2021 Honda CR-V comes in four variants, with a starting CRV price Philippines of Php 1,678,000 for the entry-level gasoline 2.0S CVT, all the way to Php 2,158,000 for the top-spec SX Diesel seven-seat variant. 

Find the latest releases of your favorite models only at Philkotse.com.

Know more about Honda CR-V 2024

Honda CR-V

The 2025 Honda CR-V is a midsize crossover SUV. For the Philippine market, it has three variants: the V Turbo CVT, VX Turbo CVT, and the RS e:HEV (hybrid) e-CVT. 

The latest version of this Honda model has two different engine options. For the top-spec hybrid trim, it uses a 2.0-liter gasoline four-banger paired with a dual motor and lithium-ion battery. The combustion component alone produces up to 145 horsepower and 183 Nm of torque. The electric-powered component meanwhile, can churn out 181 horsepower and 335 Nm of torque. 

Aboard the V and VX trims meanwhile is a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine that can churn out 187 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. 

Only the VX gets all-wheel-drive, while the rest are front-wheel-drive. All trims then use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but the one on the hybrid trim is an electronic CVT (e-CVT). 

In terms of dimensions, the all-new CR-V is 4,691mm long, 1,866mm wide, and 1,681mm (1,691mm for VX) in height. Both the hybrid and the V’s wheelbase then spans 2,701mm (2,700mm for VX). 

Locally, the Honda CR-V competes against the likes of the Mazda CX-9, Cherry Tiggo 8 Pro, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Peugeot 5008, etc. 

>>> New and used Honda CR-V 2025 for sale in the Philippines

Honda CR-V Launch

The Honda CR-V was introduced to the Philippine market in September 2023. It launched with three different variants: the top-spec RS e:HEV CVT, the mid-spec VX CVT AWD, and the entry-level V CVT FWD. At launch, their prices ranged from Php 2.100 million to Php 2.590 million.

Honda CR-V Exterior

The 2025 CR-V carries the sleekness and the sportiness of the modern Honda design. Present on its front end are a pair of sharp LED headlamps which are outlined by LED daytime running lamps, a black-colored hexagonal mesh grille, and an angular front lower bumper. 

honda cr-v philippines exterior

The sides then feature power-folding side mirrors, a straight window line, and black plastic claddings for the VX and V. Its rear likewise gets a power tailgate, and a distinctively shaped pair of LED taillights. 

honda cr-v philippines door handles

honda cr-v philippines headlights

honda cr-v philippines wheels

The RS hybrid trim stands out among the three as it gets plenty of additions mainly focused on style. This includes a black color for its side mirrors and antenna, body-color mudguards, and a set of 18-inch piano black alloy wheels.

Honda CR-V Interior

Inside, the top-spec RS e:HEV can seat up to five, whereas the V and VX can accommodate up to seven. 

Present on all trims is a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, leather seats (w/ red stitching for the RS), a push-to-start button, USB A and C charging ports, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat (w/ power lumbar support for RS), auto-dimming rearview mirror, etc.

honda cr-v philippines dashboard

honda cr-v philippines touchscreen

Only the RS and VX get rain-sensing wipers but exclusive only to the highest-spec trim are a sunroof, paddle shifters, and a drive mode selector with normal, eco, and sport. The rest do get an eco-drive mode. 

For air-conditioning, the RS e:HEV gets a dual-zone automatic climate control system while the V and VX get a triple-zone automatic climate control system. All have physical buttons, as well. 

Technology & Safety Features

Present on all CR-V trims is a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also gets Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and audio streaming. Likewise available to all CR-V variants is a wireless charging pad. 

Sound is fed to the CR-V’s cabin by a 12-piece Bose sound speaker (RS) or an eight-piece sound system (VX and V). 

Present on all trims of the 2025 CR-V is the Honda Sensing driver-assistive suite. This includes features like adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, adaptive driving beams, lead car departure notification, and a driver attention monitor.

Those advanced safety features are then supported by seven airbags, anti-lock braking, stability control, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, a 360-degree view camera, tire pressure monitoring, ISOFIX child seat anchors, parking sensors (eight for RS, four for VX and V), a security alarm, an engine immobilizer, etc.

Platform & Chassis

The CR-V uses a MacPherson strut for the front and a multi-link suspension system for the rear. Braking is done via disc brakes for all four wheels and an electronic parking brake. 

Engine & Drivetrain

There are two engine options for the 2025 CR-V. For the RS e:HEV, it gets a 2.0-liter gasoline engine paired with a dual-motor, lithium-ion battery setup. The gasoline mill alone produces up to 145 horsepower and 183 Nm of torque. The electric component then adds 181 horsepower and 335 Nm of torque to its output. Power is then sent to its front wheels via an e-CVT. 

The VX and V, both utilize a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine 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. 

There are five available color options for the 2025 CR-V. This includes Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Platinium White Pearl, and Canyon River Blue Metallic. 

The Honda CR-V is more than a competent challenger to other similarly sized crossovers when it comes to making power, and on-board features. It is also on top of the totem pole when it comes to providing a comprehensive safety kit. All the more to its credit is the fact that the latter comes as standard to all three of its trims. 

Honda CR-V 2025 Price List

Variants  Price
Honda CR-V V Turbo CVT ₱2,100,000
Honda CR-V V Turbo CVT (Platinum White Pearl) ₱2,120,000
Honda CR-V VX Turbo CVT ₱2,280,000
Honda CR-V VX Turbo CVT (Platinum White Pearl) ₱2,300,000
Honda CR-V RS e:HEV E-CVT ₱2,590,000
Honda CR-V RS e:HEV E-CVT (Platinum White Pearl) ₱2,610,000

Honda CR-V Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Stylish looks
  • Comprehensive safety kit
  • Generous output figures
  • Plenty of onboard features

Cons

  • Reduced cargo space on certain trims

Honda CR-V FAQs

1. What kind of car is the Honda CR-V 2025?

Sized and designed like a Volkswagen Tiguan, the 2025 Honda CR-V is a five-seat small crossover.

2. How many color options are there for the Honda CR-V to choose from?

The Honda CR-V is available in 4 colors including Ignite Red Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Platinum Pearl White, Cosmic Blue Metallic.

3. Is there a diesel Honda CR-V in the Philippines?

Honda Philippines offers the Honda CR-V in two variants – the five-seater gasoline and the seven-seater diesel.

4. Is the Honda CR-V 2025 Philippines a good car?

Yes, the CR-V is one of the country's most popular cars in the compact crossover segment. The Philippines saw the beginning of the Honda CR-V in the late 1990s and after two decades, it still remained one of the most prominent nameplates in its class.

5. How much is the Honda CR-V 2025 Philippines?

Honda CR-V 2025 price Philippines ranges from Php 2,100,000 to Php 2,610,000.

₱ 2,100,000 - ₱ 2,590,000

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Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kapatilya

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