Revised Honda CR-V both cheaper and more expensive than the old one

Following a brief stint of being off the menu, the Honda CR-V has returned to New Zealand with a series of updates, a new-look line-up, and revised pricing. There is a new entry-level model that lowers the cost of entry for the nameplate, and simultaneously the models that carry over have had their prices rise.

Having gone on sale earlier this month, the updated CR-V carries plenty of familiarity. The range once again consists of both pure internal combustion engine and full hybrid variants, with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive available. 

But, Honda has rejigged its line-up. Where previously front-wheel drive was only available in mid-spec 7-seater Sport 7 trim, it now gets the same 5-seater arrangement as the rest of the range and a smaller base price as a result, $51,000 plus on-road costs.

It also gets a new name, now being known as the X. This spec is available in both FWD petrol and FWD hybrid flavours, with a $11,000 margin between the two. Between them sits the $59,000 CR-V L AWD, which adds an extra row of driven wheels plus a handful of other features.

At the top of the range is the sole AWD hybrid; the RS. Priced at $75,000, it isn’t exactly cheap. It’s almost $10,000 more expensive than the top spec plug-in hybrid new-gen Toyota RAV4, and $8,000 more than the model used to cost.

The base 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol and the 2.0-litre e:HEV 4-cylinder hybrid are unchanged for 2026; the former producing 140kW/240Nm and good for a combined fuel economy of 7.1L/100km, and the latter making 135kW/335Nm and claiming an economy of 5.7L/100km.

The entry-level X comes standard with cloth upholstery, a 9.0-inch touchscreen, an 7.0-inch digital display in the cluster, dual-zone climate control, a wireless device charger, wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a power tailgate, and Honda’s full Sensing and Connect tech suites.

The mid-spec L adds 18-inch wheels, leather-appointed seating, a 10.2-inch digital cluster display, a 360-degree camera, heated front seats, and more. It’s worth noting too that the Hybrid X adds several features over the non-hybrid X, including the aforementioned digital cluster and 18-inch wheels.

Lastly, the RS tops the range with its panoramic sunroof, RS-branded leather upholstery, 12-speaker Bose sound system, and head-up display.