2021 Honda CR-V Review: VTi L AWD Snapshot

The first version in the 2021 Honda CR-V lineup to get all-wheel drive is the VTi L AWD, which has a list price of $40,490 (MSRP). That's a pretty high price for an all-wheel-drive model, considering you can get the Forester for almost $9000 less.

The CR-V VTi L AWD uses the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as the rest of the VTi-badged models, producing 140kW and 240Nm of torque. It still has a CVT automatic transmission and fuel consumption is claimed at 7.4 l/100 km.

The VTi L AWD essentially replaces our previous pick in the VTi-S AWD line, but now costs more. Compared to the classes below, the VTi L AWD has leather-trimmed seats, electric driver's seat adjustment with two memory settings, and heated front seats. That's more than what you get in the classes below, including a 7.0-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, Bluetooth, and smartphone mirroring technology. There are eight speakers for the stereo system, four USB ports and 18-inch wheels.

It still has halogen headlights and LED daytime running lights, as well as LED taillights, but also includes keyless entry and push button start, trunk lid, tailpipe trim, adaptive cruise control, a power tailgate, as well as a front and back parking. sensors plus a rear-view camera and a Honda LaneWatch blind-spot camera system (instead of a traditional blind-spot monitor - and there's no rear cross-traffic alert).

The VTi L AWD gets all the same safety technologies as other VTi-badged models, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, as well as lane keeping assist and lane departure warning. There's also no rear AEB, but the CR-V lineup retains its 2017 ANCAP five-star rating - it wouldn't earn five stars by 2020 criteria.