2021 Honda CR-V Review: VTi L7 Shot

If you want a luxurious seven-seat version of the Honda CR-V, this is your pick for the 2021 lineup, the new Honda CR-V VTi L7.

Priced at $43,490 (MSRP), this top seven-seat model costs more than before, but it finally has the safety features that a family-oriented three-row model should have. Well, to an extent. We think it still lags behind its competitors, and by some margin.

The VTi L7 uses the same safety technologies as other VTi-badged models, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist and lane departure warning. But unlike the competition, there's no rear AEB, no real blind-spot monitoring, and no rear cross-traffic alert. There's also no 360-degree surround camera - instead, it has a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors. All of which means the CR-V lineup lives up to its 2017 ANCAP five-star rating, even though it will only get four stars by 2020 criteria – the maximum.

In terms of standard features, the VTi L7 model gets rid of all-wheel drive but gets a third row of seats (with air vents, rear cup holders, third row airbag), privacy glass, a panoramic sunroof and a wireless phone charger. It also gets automatic wipers and roof rails, as well as paddle shifters. 

That's in addition to a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav, a rear-view camera (in addition to front and rear parking sensors and Honda's LaneWatch side camera system), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, and a heated leather interior. front seats and power driver's seat.

The VTi L7 is fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels and gets rid of those pesky halogens in favor of LED headlights and fog lights, and it also has LED daytime running lights and taillights.

Under the hood of the VTi L7 is the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 140 kW and 240 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT and driving only the front wheels. Fuel consumption for this version is claimed at 7.3 l/100 km.

Because it has seven seats, the VTi L7's trunk is smaller than the five-seat models (472L vs. 522L VDA), but it does have a full-size spare tire under the boot floor, as well as 150L of cargo space behind the third row. and there are five rear child seat anchorage points (2x ISOFIX in the second row, 3x Top Tether in the second row, 2x Top Tether in the third row).