New Gen Honda CR-V Now in Nepal: Seven Seats of Reliability (and a Few Gripes)

Honda has moved forward with its 4-wheeler lineup by bringing the sixth-generation CR-V to the Nepali market. While the new CR-V does not offer much that genuinely excites enthusiasts, it still delivers utility and competence, standing true to its name: “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle (CR-V).” It performs well in markets like the United States, Canada, New Zealand, etc., where this segment thrives, but in Nepal, the appeal feels more limited, and the excitement level is noticeably restrained.

Let’s kick this off with a quick look at the specifications of the Honda CR-V in Nepal for 2025.

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Interestingly, we learned that Honda Nepal is preparing to introduce the hybrid CR-V as well. However, the timeline remains unclear, and given Honda’s usually slow rollout for new tech in Nepal, it might take longer than buyers expect.

Honda CR-V Overview

Exterior

The first thing you notice in the new CR-V is the confidence it carries through its design. The overall look has come a long way from its early years when the styling felt more functional than expressive. It was built for the masses back then, so design was never its main selling point.

Now, as we step into 2025, the CR-V looks far more approachable and easier to appreciate, the kind of car you would not mind parking in your garage. Even so, it still does not fully reflect the sharper and more adventurous aesthetics that define many modern SUVs, leaning more toward a familiar and safe look rather than something bold.

At the front, the CR-V gets a large grille with a honeycomb pattern that repeats on the lower bumper. The headlights sit neatly on either side with LED headlamps, integrated DRLs and sequential indicators. A slim chrome strip runs across the top to add a little extra detail, but the rest of the fascia remains fairly straightforward and almost minimal.

The side profile reveals the long 2700 mm wheelbase and a bit of visual trickery. The car seems lower than you expect, even though it sits on a generous 210 millimeter ground clearance. The spacing length between the roof rails and side steps  might be the reason for this illusion.

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The wheels follow a simple design and come in a 17 inch setup, which is adequate but not particularly exciting. The door handles stay neatly tucked into the frame, possibly to help reduce drag and keep the side profile clean.

At the rear, Honda keeps the familiar taillamp shape that has been part of the CR-V’s identity since the first generation. It could be a nostalgic choice or simply a design habit that stayed untouched. Old school touches can give character, but here, some elements feel slightly out of place. The powered tailgate is a welcome addition because it offsets the rather high loading area and makes daily use easier.

Overall, the design is not the strongest part of the CR-V. It works well enough and remains practical, but it does not inspire or push any boundaries. It feels like a design that plays it safe instead of one that aims to stand out.

Interior

The interior is genuinely one of the most likeable parts of this car. It feels refreshing after the wave of overly minimal EV cabins. Honda has designed a neat and thoughtful space, starting with a dashboard that carries a honeycomb-style pattern and an infotainment screen sitting proudly on top. The screen is small, almost cute, but it supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay without issues.

The abundance of physical buttons adds an unexpected joy. Each press gives a satisfying click that makes you appreciate how functional a cabin can feel. I hope physical buttons never disappear. The steering wheel uses a single-spoke layout, comes neatly wrapped, and includes a good number of mounted controls. It can also be adjusted for height and reach, which helps you find a natural driving position.

The instrument cluster blends analog dials with a digital section, and you can toggle and customize the display through the steering controls. The center console stays compact but useful, offering USB A and C ports, a 12V socket, and a wireless charging pad. The gear lever operates as expected and shifts through Parking, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive with a reassuring feel.

As for the seats, comfort is the CR-V’s main intention and it delivers well. The front seats look old school but feature power adjustment, ventilation, lumbar support, and the driver even gets memory settings. The second row continues the same comfort theme with generous legroom. However, tall passengers might find the headroom a bit tight, and the flat headrests do feel like a design miss.

The third row can seat two people and is not the most comfortable place to be, yet it offers enough space for short trips when needed.

Performance

The CR-V draws its performance from a 1.5 liter turbocharged petrol engine with four inline cylinders. It runs a double overhead camshaft setup and uses Honda’s familiar VTEC system that helps balance power and efficiency. This engine produces 190 PS at 6000 rpm and delivers 243 Nm of torque from 1700 rpm to 4500 rpm, which gives it a strong mid-range.

Honda pairs this engine with a continuously variable transmission. If you are new to CVTs, think of it as a gearbox that does not shift through fixed gears but adjusts ratios smoothly to keep the engine in its ideal power band. Honda has tuned it to mimic a 7 speed transmission so it feels more natural, although it still carries the typical CVT feel during hard acceleration.

Honda also sells a hybrid CR-V in global markets, but Nepal only gets this petrol option. This model is a front wheel drive as well, so anyone expecting an all wheel drive system for added grip or light off roading will be disappointed.

According to EPA ratings, the CR-V returns 11.9 kmpl in the city and 14.45 kmpl on the highway. Considering a real world usage pattern of 70 percent city and 30 percent highway, the average mileage works out to roughly 13 kmpl.

Additionally, the CR-V reaches a top speed of 200 kmph and completes the 0 to 100 kmph run in about 8.5 seconds, which is respectable for a seven seater family SUV.

Features

Exterior:

• LED Headlights and Taillights
• Sequential Turn Indicators
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Side Steps
• 210 mm ground clearance
• Powered Tailgate

Interior:

• Leatherette Seats
• Power Adjustable, Ventilated, Memory Front Seats
• Reclinable Second Row Seats
• 10.2-inch Infotainment Screen
• 12-speaker Bose audio system
• Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control
• Wireless Charging Pad
• Cooled Glove Box

Safety:

• 4-Star ANCAP Rating
• 10 Airbags
• Comprehensive ADAS Suite
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Vehicle Stability Assist
• Hill Assist

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Honda CR-V in Nepal: What Works Here and What Doesn’t

The Honda CR-V has earned its place as a dependable crossover for many families, largely because of its reliability, durability, and the strength of the Honda badge. This sixth-generation model fits Nepal’s needs quite well since extra seats always come in handy, safety remains a high priority on our unpredictable roads, and resale value continues to matter.

The 1.5 liter turbocharged engine also brings enough punch for longer highway runs. Its practicality stands out with generous cargo capacity, a roomy cabin, comfortable seats, and a solid list of convenience features that make everyday driving easier.

However, the CR-V starts to show a few rough edges once you look beyond its polished reputation, especially in a market where value plays a huge role. The CR-V was originally designed as a car for the masses, built on the idea of delivering great features for a reasonable price. Over the years, however, it has moved away from that formula. In Nepal, where Honda often gets away with high pricing, the CR-V firmly sits on the premium side, i.e. Rs. 2.06 Crores and does not shy away from it.

Buyers may also question whether the turbocharged petrol engine offers enough benefits to justify the absence of a diesel option. While the petrol twined turbo is good for mid-range and high-rev pulls, diesel powertrains tend to suit Nepal’s long drives and mountain routes better, so the lack of one might feel noticeable. The CVT transmission works efficiently and stays smooth most of the time, but it drones in stop and go traffic, and real world mileage can easily drop below 12 kmpl inside the valley.

Honda deserves some credit for offering a seven seater layout, even though the third row mostly caters to a niche group of buyers. From a purely practical standpoint, the third row feels a bit tight compared to MPV alternatives.

The 2700 mm wheelbase does show good space optimization, but the reality is simple. Kids manage fine for short trips, while adults end up squeezed into a space that feels more like a budget airline seat than a spot for relaxed travelling.

What are the options?

A niche segment always cuts both ways. It gives a brand the chance to dominate an entire category, but it also turns brutally competitive the moment a few strong alternatives show up. In the current market, the Honda CR-V goes up against familiar seven-seater names like the Tata Safari, Hyundai Palisade, and Toyota Fortuner.

You can set aside the first two if you care about long-term reliability and durability because Honda clearly takes the lead there. However, the Safari still undercuts the CR-V by a wide margin, and the Palisade offers a proper four wheel drive setup. If you are willing to pay a premium and four wheel drive is not really your priority since it tends to drop mileage and push up service costs, the CR-V still makes sense.

Even then, the Fortuner remains a tough competitor to dismiss. While it is more expensive than the CR-V coming at Rs. 2.70 Crores, the Toyota Fortuner holds a strong grip on the segment with its dependable diesel engine and a resale value that rarely moves. Add the solid consumer perception built around Toyota’s workhorses like the Fortuner, Prado, and Hilux, and the CR-V ends up facing an even bigger challenge. On another note, if you were looking forward to a hybrid CR-V and don’t really want a standalone petrol engine, there’s the Toyota RAV4 coming at the similar price of the CR-V.

A deeper comparison between the Honda CR-V and Toyota Fortuner deserves its own breakdown. Let us know in the comments if you want that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the authorized distributor of Honda CR-V in Nepal?
Syakar Trading is the authorized distributor of Honda CR-V in Nepal.

What is the price of the Honda CR-V in Nepal?
The price of the Honda CR-V in Nepal starts at Rs. 2.06 Crores.

How much is the ground clearance in the Honda CR-V?
The ground clearance in the new Honda CR-V is 210 mm.

Is the Honda CR-V petrol or diesel?
Honda CR-V is a turbocharged petrol vehicle.

Is CR-V 5 or 7 seater?
The Honda CR-V is 7-seater.

What is the mileage of Honda CR-V?
According to EPA ratings, the CR-V returns 11.9 kmpl in the city and 14.45 kmpl on the highway.