Honda CR-V 2021 review: VTi L AWD snapshot

The first version in the Honda CR-V 2021 range to get all-wheel drive is the VTi L AWD, which has a list price of $40,490 (MSRP). That’s quite a tall ask for an AWD model, considering you can get a Forester for almost $9000 less.

The CR-V VTi L AWD model uses the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine as the rest of the VTi-badged models, with 140kW of power and 240Nm of torque. It still has a CVT automatic transmission, and fuel use is claimed at 7.4L/100km.

The VTi L AWD essentially replaces our previous pick of the range, the VTi-S AWD, but costs more now. Over the grades below it, the VTi L AWD has leather-appointed seat trim, driver’s seat electric adjustment with two memory settings, and heated front seats. That’s above and beyond what you get in the grades below, including a 7.0-inch touchscreen with sat nav, Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring tech. There are eight speakers for the stereo, four USB ports, and 18-inch wheels fitted here.

It still has halogen headlights and LED daytime running lights, as well as LED tail-lights but also includes keyless entry and push-button start, a cargo cover, exhaust pipe finishers, adaptive cruise control, a power tailgate, and front and rear parking sensors plus a reversing camera and Honda’s LaneWatch blind spot camera system (in lieu of a traditional blind-spot monitor - and there’s no rear cross-traffic alert).

Explore the 2021 Honda CR-V Range

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The VTi L AWD gets all the same safety tech otherwise as the other VTi-badged models, including forward collision warning and auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, as well as lane keeping assist and lane departure warning. There’s no rear AEB, either, but the CR-V range carries over its 2017 five-star ANCAP score - under 2020 criteria it wouldn’t get five stars.