For almost six years, the fifth-generation Honda CR-V continued to spearhead the segment it pioneered as the Comfortable Runabout Vehicle. When the sixth-gen was first unveiled worldwide—especially for the ASEAN market—we couldn’t wait for Honda Cars Philippines to bring over freshly assembled units to our shores.

As promised a month ago, HCPI has finally unraveled the next-gen CR-V, bringing over hybrid electric power for the first time in the country.

The V and the VX are equipped with the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine—mated to a CVT—that delivers 187hp and 240Nm to the front and all four wheels, respectively.

The top-trim RS is the first e:HEV model in the local market, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with the engine churning out 146hp and 183Nm, and the electric motors putting out 181hp and 335Nm. Apparently, these figures are not typos: Honda’s press literature makes it clear that the engine and the motors have this much output and torque separately.

The new CR-V comes with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a nine-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The V and the VX cater more toward families with a three-row seating arrangement, paired with 840L cargo space and a power tailgate that has a Walk Away Close function.

A new navigation system and a smart key card are included exclusively in the VX Turbo.

The spicier RS e:HEV model comes in a sportier two-row configuration—meaning, a more ample 1,064L cargo space. Its exterior gives a subtle yet sharper design compared to the regular CR-V, especially with a piano-black large honeycomb-style grille and body-matching painted claddings.

The upgrades don’t stop in the aesthetic department, as the RS exclusively has a heads-up display, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and a power flow meter for monitoring its hybrid system.

Aside from being the first hybrid-powered Honda model, the new CR-V debuts Honda Connect in our market. Through a smartphone app, owners can check their vehicle’s condition, search its whereabouts through geofencing alerts, and remotely control its features from the outside.

Honda Sensing continues to be part of the local lineup, with the familiar lane-keeping assist system, the collision mitigation braking system, and the adaptive cruise control. Exclusive to the RS e:HEV, Adaptive Driving Beam is included for the first time.

The new CR-V comes in three different variants, and is available in five different colors: Canyon River Blue Metallic, Ignite Red Metallic (RS only), Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Platinum White Pearl (additional P20,000), and Lunar Silver Metallic (VX and V only).

The final prices are slightly lower than the ones HCPI released last month—now a company gimmick every time it launches a new car:

• 2.0 RS e:HEV – P2,590,000
• 1.5 VX Turbo CVT AWD – P2,280,000
• 1.5 V Turbo CVT – P2,100,000

Are you happy with the specs, the features and the prices?