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Honda CR-V 2021 review: Vi snapshot

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EXPERT RATING
6.5

Likes

  • Family friendly practicality
  • Sharp price
  • Added gear over previous Vi

Dislikes

  • No active safety tech - seriously, Honda?
  • Doesn’t get the good engine
  • Made to meet a price point
Matt Campbell
Managing Editor - Head of Video
13 Nov 2020
2 min read

The Honda CR-V Vi 2021 model is the entry-level grade in the range priced from just $30,490 (MSRP) - but crucially, it misses out on a lot of the stuff you’ll probably not only want, but also could need.

The Vi grade is the only CR-V to lack Honda’s safety suite of active tech, meaning no AEB, no lane keeping assist and no form of blind spot monitoring either (though no CR-V has a traditional blind spot system anyway!). That means it wouldn’t even score four stars under 2020 ANCAP safety requirements

But it is built to a price, with the Vi listed at $30,490 plus on-road costs. That’s reasonable for a mid-size family SUV like this, and there are some decent inclusions at the price, too, including 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth seat trim, a 7.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, 2x USB ports, four speaker sound system, a digital instrument cluster with digital speedometer, dual-zone climate control. It has halogen headlights and LED daytime running lights, as well as LED tail-lights. There’s a reversing camera fitted, too.

The Vi is also the only CR-V not to get the good engine in the range - there’s no turbo here, instead the Vi model runs an old-school 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 113kW and 189Nm. Fuel use is 7.6L/100km. It’s front-wheel drive and has a CVT automatic transmission.

Ultimately, you’d have to be on a very strict budget to consider a CR-V Vi model, or be buying for a fleet. Even then, we’d advise you to spend extra and get the VTi, which adds the turbo engine and Honda Sensing suite of safety technologies.

Read the full 2021 Honda CR-V review

Honda CR-V 2021: VI (2WD) 5 Seats

Engine Type Inline 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 7.6L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $21,120 - $26,730
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$33,616
Based on 123 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$22,990
HIGHEST PRICE
$42,990
Matt Campbell
Managing Editor - Head of Video
Matt Campbell has been at the forefront of automotive media for more than a decade, working not only on car reviews and news, but also helping manage automotive outputs across print, online, video and audio. After completing his media degree at Macquarie University, Matt was an intern at a major news organisation as part of the motoring team, where he honed his skills in the online automotive reviews and news space. He did such a good job there they put him on full time, and since then he has worked across different automotive media outlets, before starting with CarsGuide in October 2017. At CarsGuide Matt has helped shape the video output of the business, while also playing a key role in management behind the scenes, and helping in-market new car buyers make the right choice by continually evolving CarsGuide's comparison reviews. Driving more than 100 cars a year seemed like a dream to Matt when he first started out, but now it's all just part of the job - a job he loves and plans to stay in for a long time to come. Matt is also an expert in used car values, as he's always on the hunt for a bargain - be it a project beater or a prime example of the breed. He currently owns a 2001 Audi TT quattro and a 2007 Suzuki Jimny JLX.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$22,990
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data.
For more information on
2021 Honda CR‑V
See Pricing & Specs

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