Driving the new Honda CR-V RS e:HEV is my first shot at experiencing the brand’s hybrid system.

At first glance, the all-new CR-V comes in a design that’s bigger and bolder—probably the biggest one out of the models that came before.

Its most noticeable feature would be the grille, while its all-around sleek angles scream, “sporty and strong,” especially with those 18-inch piano-black alloy wheels.

The pre-drive pep talk from the Honda representative resulted in a sigh of relief since everything on the dash was simple, easy, and nothing fancy to operate—a Gen X/millennial-friendly car, in other words. That said, there’s nothing old about it.

The interior overall is a good balance between art and functionality. The honeycomb pattern on the dash is an eye-catching detail, and it hides all traces of aircon vents making it more visually appealing and modern.

It comes with a leather steering wheel, leather upholstery, and more high-end perks, just like the memory seat function for drivers.

Music lovers are bound to appreciate a good sound system—and that, the CR-V has. With its 12-speaker Bose audio system, I could not complain about superior music quality. This was obviously fantastic.

Other digital features include a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a full-digital instrument cluster that allows you to select from several interfaces that are fit to your liking.

Passengers will enjoy this model’s heft. The legroom is more than ample. However, headroom hangs low in the second row. And that’s because it has a panoramic sunroof.

It doesn’t have a third row; instead, you get 581L of cargo space, which is important for a mom like me and the after-school haul of giant backpacks. If it’s space we’re talking about, this model is built for it.

A noteworthy extra is the access to the Honda Connect app, which allows you security through special alerts on your mobile phone.

The app also allows you to view your vehicle’s overall “health” status. The Find My Car feature is an added plus because sometimes senior moments do happen.

But how’s the drive?

On a personal note, I loved driving this car. It was balanced in every sense of the word, both internally and externally. The ride was stable, and the performance was impressive.

Since it’s a hybrid, I was conscious of feeling when the motors shifted between the engine and the e:HEV drivetrain. It was a seamless experience all throughout.

Performance is balanced well enough that you don’t feel the switch from gas to electric. It does a good job of getting the driver to enjoy sitting back and focusing on nothing else but the drive—as it should. The 360° camera, the lane-change assist, and the blind-spot alerts made the drive even more worry-free.

Driving this was smooth and enjoyable, especially on the highways. Set to Normal drive mode, acceleration was steady and not at all torquey. You also have the Econ and Sport modes to choose from depending on your preference.

A reality check: It’s pricey at P2,590,000, but hey, it’s coding-exempt and fuel-efficient, it looks good, and it performs exceptionally well.

It’s a vehicle that actually lives up to what it promises. This just might be my favorite hybrid.