By Thatcar.co.za
In high school — or rather, looking back at high school — there were quite a few similarities to adult life.
Talk to any teenager, and they’ll tell you all about individuality, being unique, having their own minds, yada yada yada…
Yet somehow, they all look exactly like the next pimple-ridden, saggy-jeans-wearing teenager with a bad attitude. 😂
Another thing we all had in common? We all had a crush on the IT girl.
We all tried our luck with her. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but in the process, we completely ignored the girl sitting right next to us.
She might actually have been just as hot, if not hotter. Perhaps she had a better attitude, too.
But someone decided that Pam was hot, and suddenly, all these hormone-filled, pimple-faced boys were flocking to her like moths to a light.
I had a story like that myself.
There was this beautiful girl. Amazing, well-read and smart, she used to help out in the library.
And what did I do?
I ignored her. Heck, I even told her about Pam!
Why am I telling you this?
Because cars have their Pams and their librarians, too.
And one such car is a HONDA.
The Honda CR-V, to be exact.
Why do I say this? Let me explain.
RELIABILITY
When most of us consider buying a car, one of the first questions we ask is:
“Is it reliable?”
Well, Honda has built a strong reputation for reliability, and the CR-V is one of the brand’s most established models.
LOOKS
It’s every bit as handsome as its competitors.
EQUIPMENT
The same applies here.
But why do we keep going back to Pam?
Beats me.
Let me tell you more about the Honda CR-V.
THE ENGINE
The latest CR-V comes with Honda’s 2.0-litre e self-charging hybrid system.
The electric motors deliver 135 kW and 335 Nm, while the 2.0-litre direct-injection Atkinson-cycle petrol engine produces 106 kW and 189 Nm.
Power is managed by Honda’s e system, without a conventional multi-speed gearbox.
In other words, you get the benefits of electric assistance without needing to plug the car into a charger.
And that brings us to an interesting question.
Why do we, as South Africans, overlook the CR-V?
Since its launch in Japan in 1995, the CR-V has grown into a global success, selling in around 150 countries.
Cumulative sales passed five million in 2011, ten million in 2018 and 15 million in August 2025.
It has also remained Honda’s best-selling car worldwide over the past decade.
And yet, we keep looking away.
THE PRICE: NOW LISTEN CAREFULLY!
The best part?
All-wheel drive is now standard.
And listen carefully, as my former president once said…
LISTEN CAREFULLY!
The CR-V is priced at R949,900 — R91,400 less than the outgoing model.
Yes, you read that correctly.
LESS.
THE LOOKS: THE LIBRARIAN TAKES OFF HER GLASSES
You can’t deny that the CR-V is a handsome-looking machine.
Wait, the librarian I was talking about was a woman, but you get what I’m trying to say. 😂
The CR-V has a squarer, more upright design, and we love square.
Read our other articles and you’ll discover that we have a bit of a thing for cars with proper proportions and strong lines.
We’re not joking when we say the CR-V looks sporty and modern.
Yes, a sporty and modern-looking Honda!
And then there’s the RS version, which adds gloss-black bumper accents and dual exhaust outlets.
Imagine the quiet librarian taking off her glasses, letting her hair down and suddenly winning the school athletics competition.
How hot is that? 😂
THE INTERIOR AND INTELLIGENCE
The CR-V returns to a five-seat layout, retaining several of the key features found in the outgoing petrol range.
These include:
- Head-up display
- Honda LaneWatch camera
- Honda SENSING™ driver-assistance suite, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)
- 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 10.2-inch TFT information display
- Wireless phone charging
- USB-C connectivity
So, you’re getting a practical family SUV with modern technology and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features.
Not bad for someone you’ve been overlooking all this time!
THE PRICE
The Honda CR-V 2.0L RS e AWD costs R949,900, including VAT.
And here’s what comes with it:
- Service plan: 5 years / 90,000 km
- Service intervals: Every 15,000 km
- Vehicle warranty: 5 years / 200,000 km
- Hybrid system warranty: 8 years / 200,000 km
- Roadside assistance: 3 years
VERDICT
This is a tough market.
I mean, you have the evergreen Toyota RAV4, the Mazda CX-5 and the Kia Sportage. All brilliant cars in their own right.
But sometimes, we all seem to gravitate towards the same brand.
Pam.
And in the process, we forget just how versatile, clever and beautiful the librarian can be.
Oops, we mean the Honda CR-V. 😂
With its hybrid powertrain, standard all-wheel drive, generous technology offering and revised pricing, the CR-V deserves a place on your shopping list.
Our advice?
Go and test-drive one.
You might be pleasantly surprised.
And who knows?
Maybe it’s time to stop chasing Pam.
The librarian might just be the one. ❤️📚
