Sometimes, you lose more than you gain by going for the cheapest option, and that’s certainly true with the Honda CR-V Vi.

 

Dropping the ‘T’ from the previous entry-level VTi model (which continues for only $2400 more) means the lusty 140kW/240Nm 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo gives way to an old naturally aspirated 113kW/189Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine last used in the previous-gen CR-V VTi.

 

Now that’s not so bad in isolation, since even old Honda engines are generally better than most rival equivalents, especially as in its previous CR-V (RM-series) incarnation, the old 114kW/190Nm 2.0-litre atmo provided sufficient muscle thanks in part to a responsive and quite enjoyable five-speed torque-converter auto.

 

However in the RW-series, we find said 2.0-litre successor driving the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. Oh, what joy!

 

Now, we have to reveal that the example we drove had only 50km on the odometer as opposed to the 1000km-plus that most press vehicles arrive with, so to call our Vi tight is an understatement.

 

And the drive covered all of about 10km in total. So we’re talking a taster at best here.

 

Still, the Vi’s listless acceleration and noise elicited from the retrograde heart transplant as a result of the necessary high revving required to get it moving is tiresome – particularly as the turbo in the rest of the CR-V range is a tearaway treat. Additionally, the 2.0-litre drinks more fuel too, so it’s clear that exhuming this 1990s powertrain just isn’t good enough for 2018 and beyond. 

 

How many kilometres of driving will the far-superior VTi’s $2400 premium be recouped?

 

We admit that the rest of the Vi is much the same as any other new Thai-built CR-V, meaning a large and good looking body, spacious cabin, appealing dashboard look and layout, comfy seating for five, rear backrests that recline (a little), a huge cargo area and plenty of new-car tech like a 5.0-inch central screen, reversing camera, electric park brake with a hold function, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and tyre-pressure monitors.

 

Inevitably, though, some stuff does get left out, and going for the bargain-basement means you lose goodies like climate control for the air-conditioning system, keyless entry/start with walk-away auto-locking, rear-seat USB connection, remote window opening, 7.0-inch central touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, multiple view options for the significantly bigger reverse camera and even the rear cargo cover. And that’s only the stuff we could ascertain after a quick 10-minute drive and walk-around.

 

Plus, as with all CR-Vs bar the flagship VTi-LX, there is no autonomous emergency braking (AEB). Most rivals already supply this important driver-assist safety feature as standard across their medium SUV ranges.

 

Perhaps a greater amount of time would endear us to the Vi more, but after our brief experience, it is clear that the extra ease, convenience, efficiency and oomph that the $30,690 VTi 1.5-litre turbo provides far exceeds the $2400 saving.