We put the 2024 Honda CR‑V Hybrid Sport Touring through a family-focused test: installing two ISOFIX/LATCH child seats plus a booster, assessing anchor access, belt routing, rear-door opening angles, and day-to-day usability.
The sixth-gen CR‑V Hybrid pairs a 2.0‑liter Atkinson four with a two‑motor hybrid system for a combined 204 hp and eCVT, driving the front or all four wheels (our tester: AWD). Key rear-seat dimensions are generous for the class—57.9 inches of shoulder room and 52.7 inches of hip room—backed by three top tethers and two sets of lower anchors on the outboard positions. Curb weight sits around 3,800 lb, and ride height remains family-friendly. Testing conditions: mild spring temps, level surface, tire pressures to spec, and doors opened fully against their checks.
We installed a rear‑facing Graco Extend2Fit (LATCH, passenger outboard), a forward‑facing Britax One4Life (LATCH + top tether, driver outboard), and a narrow high‑back booster (Graco TurboBooster LX, center). Measured with a protractor app, the rear doors open to roughly 85–88 degrees, with a low step-in and minimal sill intrusion—useful when loading rear‑facers. Anchor access is straightforward. The lower anchors sit about an inch behind the seat bight, marked by fabric tags; they aren’t buried, but there are no plastic funnels, so a firm push helps the connectors find home.
Both outboard seating positions accept LATCH simultaneously without overlap. The top tether anchors are on the seatbacks behind each position, easy to see and route under the head restraints. Note: the center seat has no lower anchors; it requires a seatbelt install for a harnessed seat or for booster use. With both outboard LATCH seats installed, the center booster physically fits within the contours of the bench.
The TurboBooster’s base sits flat, and the center shoulder/lap belt threads cleanly through the guide. However, buckle access is tight: the center buckle is short and semi-rigid, and the adjacent LATCH bases compress it. Most 6–8‑year‑olds will need an adult hand to buckle; once latched, the belt tracks correctly. Switching the forward‑facing outboard seat from LATCH to a seatbelt install (using the Honda ALR retractor) let us shift it a few millimeters outward, improving buckle clearance noticeably.
Belt routes and geometry are sound. The CR‑V’s belts lock via switchable retractors; engaging ALR provided solid installs at 1–1.25 inches of movement at the belt path (checked per best practice). The booster’s shoulder belt sat mid-clavicle, and the lap belt rode low on the hips—not the abdomen. The forward‑facing seat tether path was unobstructed; we achieved proper tension without removing headrests.
Loading a rear‑facer is helped by the near‑right‑angle door swing; the roofline doesn’t intrude, and a tall parent can lean straight in without knocking the seat shell. Conclusion: The 2024 CR‑V Hybrid can accommodate two outboard LATCH installations plus a center booster, but everyday independence for the booster rider is limited by tight buckle access. For frequent three‑across use, consider one seatbelt install outboard (to reclaim width) and a narrower booster, or use a slim convertible (e.g., Clek/Diono). Observe LATCH weight limits per the child seat manual and always use the top tether for forward‑facing seats.
Overall, anchor accessibility and door geometry are family-friendly, with only the center buckle access as a notable compromise.
