Quietly impressive
WHEN I test drove the Honda CR-V last September for this publication, little did I know that I’d be back behind the wheel in February. Only this time, I was driving the latest hybrid model.
Hybrids and electric vehicles are big news at the moment and they’re improving in leaps and bounds – and the Honda quickly showed off how far the technology has progressed.
I was also looking forward to driving this SUV given the relatively limited number of hybrids and EVs there are in this vehicle class. And, just like my previous drive in a CR-V, it didn’t disappoint.
A quick lesson in the forecourt of Doyle Motors – the island’s Honda dealership – showed me the basics. Thanks to the unique Intelligent Multi Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system, which uses a ‘motor/generator’ in place of a conventional automatic gearbox, it essentially has no gears at all. A flick of a switch puts you into reverse. To be fair, you know if you’re in reverse because the clear multi-angle rear-view camera springs into action on the console.
Off and rolling...
Mini lesson completed, I was off. Or… was I? Honda’s hybrid is so quiet it’s easy to think you’ve simply released the brake and started rolling. But no. I was motoring.
Everything I liked about the car five months ago, I liked again. The driver’s seat is easy to adjust to find a comfortable driving position. Even though it was a sunny day, February can be chilly, so I popped the heated seat on for a few minutes. Fabulous.
Visibility is excellent from the lofty height of this SUV. I particularly liked the panoramic glass roof that Honda has bestowed on this model. There is a true feeling of spaciousness, making it an ideal family car. The exterior is finished to a high degree and there really isn’t anything to dislike.
And it is a joy to drive. Steering is light and responsive. I flicked the car into sport mode once out on the coast road and felt the engine bite. Suddently, cornering seemed just that little bit more fun.
To balance things out, I also tried eco-mode. This is when the car is in full electric mode, giving a little over a mile before the engine will cut back in. You can almost feel the car breathe out and relax.
picture this...
The mesmerising dashboard illustrates when the car is in electric mode versus petrol mode, or when it’s recharging as it zooms along. It’s absolutely fascinating – a visual representation of what’s happening under the bonnet. Put simply, the advanced hybrid vehicle combines the benefits of petrol engines with electric motors. They’re designed to give much better economy by coupling a fuel-efficient petrol engine with power from electric motors. They work in harmony, blending seamlessly to deliver smooth power and responsive acceleration when needed.
The hybrid tech has compromised boot space slightly, but there’s still a wide opening and the floor remains square. Plus, there’s that feeling of driving a greener vehicle.
