Australian automotive news & analysis

Sunday, 11 October 2026

Vehicle reviews · Sixth generation

Honda CR-V

Research-based vehicle guides, with specifications, manufacturer context and attributed independent opinions.

The vehicle in view

Market
AU
Model year
2026
Grade
e:HEV X
Generation
Sixth generation
Powertrain
HEV
Drivetrain
FWD
Seats
5
Body class
Medium SUV
Build interval
Not verified

The production build interval has not been verified. Build-dependent safety applicability is withheld.

The DriveAgent guide

Our assessment

DriveAgent research synthesis, not a first-hand road test. Driving impressions are attributed to their original reviewers; manufacturer claims and overseas observations are identified separately.

A researched guide to the Australian hybrid X

This guide combines Australian e:HEV X road-test findings with Honda’s MY26 specification sheet. DriveAgent has not road-tested the vehicle. A separate British plug-in-hybrid review adds overseas context, with different powertrain and suspension clearly identified. The production build interval for this grade is unverified. This guide does not establish build-specific safety applicability and does not provide a numeric score.

Sources: CarExpert ↗ · Top Gear (GB opinion) ↗ · Manufacturer: Honda Australia ↗

Smooth everyday response

CarExpert’s Max Davies describes smooth changes between electric and petrol operation and prompt throttle response. GoAuto’s Matt Brogan also values the hybrid’s refinement over an extended period. These are attributed observations from their tests, rather than a promise that every driver or road will produce the same experience.

Sources: CarExpert ↗ · GoAuto ↗

Cabin strengths and a back-seat caveat

Brogan’s longer-term assessment highlights space and intuitive controls. Davies is less enthusiastic about rear-seat comfort and headroom. Their reports suggest checking the second row with the people who will actually use it, rather than treating a large cargo area as proof of equally generous comfort in every seat.

Sources: GoAuto ↗ · CarExpert ↗

The Australian MY26 measurements

Honda lists the e:HEV X at 4704mm long and 1741kg kerb mass, with 589 litres of VDA luggage capacity with the seats raised. Its braked towing limit is 750kg. Those figures belong to this hybrid grade.

Sources: Braked towing ↗

A British perspective, with a different hybrid

Top Gear’s Sam Burnett tested the British plug-in hybrid, praising its adaptive-damper ride but reporting understeer and wheelspin on wet roads. This is useful context about the same generation, not a test of Australia’s non-plug-in e:HEV X. Its suspension behaviour and electric range must not be transferred to the local grade.

Sources: Top Gear (GB opinion) ↗

Manufacturer warranty and equipment

Honda’s MY26 sheet lists a standard five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and a tyre repair kit for the hybrid X. Check Honda’s current warranty terms and the tyre equipment supplied with the actual vehicle.

Sources: Vehicle warranty ↗ · Manufacturer: Honda Australia ↗

What the reviewers say

AU · e:HEV X

Ratings and findings belong to the publisher shown. Summaries preserve individual observations, including disagreement; they are not DriveAgent road-test impressions. Different scoring methods and test types are not directly interchangeable.

AU · en

CarExpert

No rating displayed

DriveAgent summaries of CarExpert’s review

  • Driving and performance · strength

    Max Davies reports smooth petrol/electric transitions and prompt response in the Australian e:HEV X.

    Summary checked 6 Oct 2026
  • Comfort and refinement · limitation

    Davies finds rear-seat comfort and headroom less convincing than the generous boot.

    Summary checked 6 Oct 2026
Review type
Road test
Author
Max Davies
Vehicle market
AU
Test location
AU
Test date
Not recorded
Published
4 Aug 2026
Review language
en
Read the original review at CarExpert (opens in a new tab) ↗

AU · en

GoAuto

No rating displayed

DriveAgent summaries of GoAuto’s review

  • Comfort and refinement · strength

    Matt Brogan praises the CR-V e:HEV X’s refined ride and smooth hybrid operation after extended everyday use.

    Summary checked 6 Oct 2026
  • Interior and technology · strength

    Brogan values the spacious cabin and straightforward controls during everyday use.

    Summary checked 6 Oct 2026
Review type
Long-term test
Author
Matt Brogan
Vehicle market
AU
Test location
AU
Test date
Not recorded
Published
5 Oct 2026
Review language
en
Read the original review at GoAuto (opens in a new tab) ↗

Reviews from other markets

1 review

Different markets, different opinions on the same model and generation. Each review identifies the vehicle tested and known differences. These findings do not establish Australian specifications, pricing or ANCAP results and are not included in the Australian review count.

GB · en

Top Gear

Overseas opinion

Tested vehicle · GB

Model year not specified honda cr-v Grade not specified · Sixth generation · PHEV · Drivetrain not specified

UK sixth-generation plug-in hybrid with adaptive dampers; tested in wet conditions. Australian MY26 e:HEV X is a non-plug-in front-wheel-drive hybrid. The UK car’s battery, suspension, grade, price and economy do not specify the Australian variant.

DriveAgent summaries of Top Gear’s review

  • Comfort and refinement · observation

    Sam Burnett praises the UK plug-in hybrid’s ride on adaptive dampers; this does not establish Australian e:HEV X ride quality.

    Summary checked 6 Oct 2026
  • Driving and performance · limitation

    Burnett reports understeer and wheelspin in wet conditions in the UK plug-in test car.

    Summary checked 6 Oct 2026
Review type
Road test
Author
Sam Burnett
Vehicle market
GB
Test location
GB
Test date
Not recorded
Published
10 Aug 2023
Review language
en
Read the original review at Top Gear (opens in a new tab) ↗

What the manufacturer says

Honda Australia · Australian model page

Manufacturer claims, summarised by DriveAgent. Independent reviewer findings are presented separately.

Honda presents the CR-V as a family SUV available with petrol or hybrid power. Its Australian range includes the e:HEV X; the MY26 specification sheet identifies five seats, an electronic automatic transmission and a tyre repair kit for that grade. The seven-seat VTi L7 is a different variant.

Visit the official model page (opens in a new tab) ↗

Checked 6 October 2026.

Specifications

Verified specifications

For the selected vehicle and build scope. Values retain their original measurement basis; this is not a complete specification sheet.

Length
4704 mm

overall

Kerb mass
1741 kg

kerb

Braked towing
750 kg

approved braked

Manufacturer maximum; applicable vehicle and towbar limits still apply.

Boot space, all seats up
589 L

seats up vda

Vehicle warranty
5 years

private use

Standard manufacturer warranty subject to Honda terms. No conditional extension inferred.

Safety · ANCAP

Safety evidence pending

No verified ANCAP rating is linked to this variant yet. This does not mean the vehicle has no rating. Its rating year, validity and applicable variants need to be checked.

Model evidence approved 9 October 2026 · Source publication and test dates are shown separately.