Honda CR-V Ireland Buyer Guide: Hybrid, Seats, Recalls

The Honda CR-V is one of the most interesting used SUVs in Ireland. Honda dropped diesel from it in 2018, the current model is hybrid only, and the RSA recall list gives buyers a clear set of build dates to check. This Honda CR-V Ireland buyer guide explains which generation to look at, how the e:HEV hybrid and e:PHEV plug-in differ, which cars have seven seats, and what to check before you hand over any money.

Quick Summary

The CR-V launched in 1995 and is now in its sixth generation. Honda says global sales passed 15 million in August 2025.

The current car is sold in Ireland as an e:HEV hybrid with all-wheel drive or an e:PHEV plug-in with front-wheel drive. Both use a 2.0-litre petrol engine.

The e:PHEV has a 17.7 kWh battery and up to 82 km of electric range. It can tow 1,500 kg, double the 750 kg of the e:HEV.

Euro NCAP tested the sixth generation in 2024 and gave it five stars.

Seven seats exist only on some fifth-generation petrol all-wheel-drive cars.

The RSA lists four CR-V recalls in 2024 and 2025, so check the VIN by build date.

Looking for one now? Browse used Honda cars for sale on EcoSteer and compare CR-V and other Honda models from sellers around Ireland.

Honda CR-V generations in Ireland

Honda launched the CR-V in Japan in 1995, then took it to the US in 1997 and on to Europe and Asia. It is now sold in about 150 countries and Honda names it as its best-selling model for 2015 to 2024. For Irish buyers, the fifth and sixth generations matter most.

Generation	Launched	Why it matters to a buyer
First	1995	The original Honda compact SUV. Now a car for enthusiasts.
Second	2001	More cabin space. Age and condition decide everything.
Third	2006	New styling, with improved engine and suspension.
Fourth	2011	Larger cabin and a more aerodynamic body.
Fifth	2016 (Ireland 2018)	First CR-V hybrid. Petrol and hybrid only here, with seven seats on some petrol cars.
Sixth	2022 (Europe 2023)	Full hybrid or plug-in hybrid, larger body and Honda SENSING 360 safety systems.

The fifth generation: petrol, hybrid and seven seats

The fifth-generation CR-V went on sale in Ireland in late 2018, and it marked a big change: Honda told Irish media there would be no more diesel for this model in this part of the world.

The petrol model uses a 1.5-litre VTEC turbo with 173hp as a manual or 193hp as an automatic. It started from €33,500 at launch. The seven-seat version was offered for the first time on petrol all-wheel-drive cars, from €40,300 when new. Boot space was quoted at 561 litres in the five-seater and 472 litres in the seven-seater.

The CR-V Hybrid followed in early 2019 from €38,000 after the hybrid VRT reduction. It pairs a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a hybrid system, giving 184hp and 314Nm. There is no conventional gearbox, just a single fixed gear for most driving. Official figures were 5.3 litres/100km and 120 g/km with front-wheel drive, and 5.5 litres/100km and 126 g/km with all-wheel drive.

The sixth generation: e:HEV or e:PHEV?

The current CR-V is longer and wider than before, with a 40 mm longer wheelbase, and Honda says it has the rear legroom of a larger class of SUV. Irish buyers get two choices, and they are quite different.

Spec	e:HEV full hybrid	e:PHEV plug-in hybrid
Drive in Ireland	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine	2.0-litre petrol hybrid	2.0-litre petrol hybrid
Torque	335 Nm	335 Nm
0 to 100 km/h	9.4 seconds (AWD)	9.4 seconds
Battery	Small hybrid battery, no plug	17.7 kWh, up to 82 km electric range
Official consumption	6.7 litres/100km, 151 g/km (AWD)	0.8 litres/100km, 18 g/km (fully charged)
Braked towing	750 kg	1,500 kg
Irish price in 2024	€69,995 Elegance, €74,995 Advance	€67,995 Advance Tech

Those plug-in figures need context. The 0.8 litres/100km is a test result with a full battery. Irish road testers reported about 6.3 litres/100km in an e:PHEV that was not charged regularly, and another expected around 7.0 litres/100km on average. So a plug-in only pays off if you can charge at home or at work. If you cannot, the e:HEV is the simpler choice, and it adds all-wheel drive. Read our guide to the SEAI home charger grant if you are weighing up a plug-in.

Honda says the e:PHEV can charge fully in 2.5 hours at its 6.8 kW maximum with the battery at 25 degrees.

The towing difference

This catches people out. If you pull a horsebox, a boat or a heavy trailer, the 750 kg braked limit on the e:HEV may rule it out, even though it is the all-wheel-drive version. The e:PHEV is rated for 1,500 kg and has a Tow mode. Always check the plate on the car and the weight of what you actually tow.

Space, seats and cabin

Practicality is the main reason to buy a CR-V. Honda quotes 587 litres of boot space for the e:HEV. Irish road tests quote 617 litres for the e:PHEV and up to 1,710 litres with the rear seats folded, so measure the car you are viewing if space is tight. The rear seats slide forward by up to 190 mm and recline in eight positions, up 10.5 degrees compared with the previous car.

Honda CR-V interior with dashboard, centre touchscreen, steering wheel and gear selector — Photo: Honda press image. Press photo of a left-hand-drive car; Honda CR-Vs sold new in Ireland are right-hand drive.

The cabin is simple to use. There is a 9-inch central screen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument display and physical dials for the main controls. The Advance grades add a 12-speaker BOSE system, and Advance Tech cars in Ireland add a panoramic roof, heated rear seats, a power tailgate and a 360-degree camera.

Safety

Euro NCAP awarded the sixth-generation CR-V five stars in 2024, with 85% for adult occupants, 86% for child occupants, 76% for vulnerable road users and 67% for safety assist. Honda fitted eleven airbags, including a front centre airbag and knee airbags for both front occupants. Honda SENSING 360 uses a front camera and radar with four corner radars. It is fitted on select grades only, so check the car you are viewing.

Recalls: four RSA campaigns to check

This is the most useful part of any CR-V search. The RSA recall lists for 2024 and 2025 include four campaigns that cover CR-V models. Vehicle counts include other Honda models where a recall covers more than one model.

Date	Issue	Cars in Ireland	CR-V build dates
16 April 2024	The cable from the battery to the fusebox has no fuse. In a collision it could short circuit and overheat, creating a fire risk.	519	1 May 2018 to 1 July 2022
16 July 2024	A fuel pump impeller may deform, which can stop the engine while driving or prevent it from starting.	2,128	CR-V 18 Sep 2017 to 25 May 2020; Hybrid 9 May 2017 to 27 Dec 2019
9 January 2025	Cracks inside the high-pressure fuel pump may cause a fuel leak and increase the risk of fire.	244	1 Oct 2021 to 31 Aug 2024
12 February 2025	Less grease in the steering gearbox can cause fluctuating torque when steering, increasing the risk of an accident.	311	1 Aug 2021 to 1 Aug 2024

Honda Ireland contacts registered owners about these campaigns, but a used car may have changed hands since. Ask the seller for proof that the work was done, or ask a Honda dealer to check the VIN.

Buying a used Honda CR-V in Ireland: what to check

Recall status: check the VIN with a Honda dealer against the four campaigns above.
Warranty: Honda Ireland lists a five-year standard warranty with no mileage limit for private use, plus 12 years on structural corrosion. Ask how much is left and whether the conditions have been met.
Service history: look for regular stamps or invoices, ideally from a Honda specialist on hybrid cars.
NCT and VRC: confirm the NCT is valid and that the VRC matches the engine, fuel type and seat count.
Seven-seat cars: fold and raise the third row, and check the seat belts and the boot floor.
Hybrid drive: on a test drive the car should move off quietly on battery, with a smooth change to petrol and no warning lights.
Plug-in cars: test that the car charges, confirm the charging cable is included and check the electric range shown at full charge.
Imports: if the car came from the UK, confirm VRT has been paid and check the history.

For a full pre-test list, read our guide on how to pass the NCT first time. If you are comparing fuel types, see electric vs hybrid vs petrol in Ireland. Need a rival to compare? See our Toyota RAV4 model guide, or read our list of 7 seater cars for sale in Ireland if the extra row matters most.

What does a used CR-V cost?

Prices move week to week and depend on age, mileage and specification. Compare current listings on EcoSteer before you make an offer.

Is it right for you?

The Honda CR-V suits families who want a large, easy-to-use SUV with hybrid running and no diesel. A fifth-generation hybrid is the sensible used choice for many buyers. Pick a sixth-generation e:HEV if you want all-wheel drive, and an e:PHEV if you can charge at home or need to tow. Pick a seven-seat petrol only if you need the extra row. Browse all used Honda cars on EcoSteer to compare what is for sale near you.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Honda CR-V a good used car in Ireland?

Yes, for most family buyers. It is a spacious SUV with hybrid power, a five-star Euro NCAP rating for the current model and a five-year Honda warranty with no mileage limit for private use. Check the recall work for the car's build date before you buy.

Is the Honda CR-V a hybrid?

Every CR-V sold new in Ireland now is. The current model comes as an e:HEV full hybrid or an e:PHEV plug-in hybrid. The fifth generation was sold with a 2.0-litre hybrid from early 2019 and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol from late 2018. Older used cars may be petrol or diesel.

Does the Honda CR-V have seven seats?

Only some fifth-generation cars. Seven seats were offered on the petrol all-wheel-drive version from 2018. The sixth generation is a five-seater, so check the car in person if you need the extra row.

How far can the Honda CR-V e:PHEV go on electric power?

Honda quotes up to 82 km of electric range from a 17.7 kWh battery. Real range will be lower in cold weather and at motorway speed, and you need to charge regularly to get the benefit.

Has the Honda CR-V been recalled in Ireland?

Yes. The RSA lists four recalls covering CR-V models from 2024 and 2025: a fuel pump impeller, a battery cable without a fuse, a high-pressure fuel pump and steering gearbox grease. The build dates are different for each one, so ask a Honda dealer to check the VIN.

Honda CR-V Ireland Buyer Guide: Hybrid or Plug-in, Seven Seats and the Four RSA Recalls

Honda CR-V generations in Ireland

The fifth generation: petrol, hybrid and seven seats