Honda CR-V RANGE
Honda Seemed Genuinely Surprised By The Success Of The CR-V But That Hasnt Stopped Them From Continuously Improving It. Andy Enright Reports
Nobody at Honda expected the CR-V to take off in quite the way it has. To senior brass, the CR-V was always going to be the supporting act to the wild and wacky niche-busting HR-V Joy Machine. It seems you lot didnt stick to the script and instead spurned the HR-V for the more spacious and rugged CR-V. Not wishing to rest on their laurels, Honda have relentlessly improved the CR-V over the intervening period and the latest model is hugely more sophisticated and upmarket than the rather unadorned original.
Some detail changes to the front and rear bumpers will probably elude all but the most ardent Hondaphiles, and the repositioned foglights projector headlamps and bigger grille with chromed slats will likely only serve to raise a quizzical eyebrow amongst previous generation CR-V owners. At the back of the car, there are clear-lensed lights, and a spare wheel cover that does away with the vinyl unit in favour of a more upmarket solid clamshell. The interior has been treated to a sprucing with an LCD screen and backlit dials but its still not what youd describe as adventurous. Retractable rear headrest help rearwards visibility and the seats can even recline to a 45 degree angle.
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In the past, the only Achilles heel of the CR-V has been the lack of a high-tech diesel option, now put right with the introduction of the 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel unit from the Accord. With fully 251lb/ft of torque and one of the sweetest engine notes of any oil burner, this adds an important additional string to the CR-Vs bow. Capable of recording a smidgeon under 40mpg ion the combined cycle, many potential buyers who have rejected the CR-V on the basis of no diesel engine should now reconsider the
Honda.
Prices for this variant start at £18,730, representing a £1,400 premium over the petrol model.
"CR-V improvements come little and often"
Otherwise theres the excellent 2.0-litre 150bhp intelligent VTEC powerplant, similar to that found beneath the bonnet of the Stream
mini-MPV and, in a significantly gnarlier incarnation, up front in a Civic Type-R. Mated to a manual gearbox it dispatches the sprint to 60mph in under ten seconds and averages over 30mpg. Unlike so many compact 4x4s that offer a roly-poly ride and dismal fuel consumption, the CR-V seems to make sense.
Honda's president Nobuhiko Kawamoto once derided the genre when he said, "They are not often used off-road, yet carry around big tyres, diesel engines and heavy military-type transmissions. It's a waste of money." So it is that the latest Swindon-built CR-V is even more car-like than its predecessor. Utilising a development of Hondas compact and technically efficient toe control link McPherson strut front suspension and a sophisticated multi-link set up at the back, the CR-V promises nimble roll-free handling and accomplished grass and gravel traction. Available with either a floor-mounted five-speed manual or a dash-mounted four-speed automatic, both transmissions are matched to the highly acclaimed 4WD system that only engages all-wheel drive when it detects wheelspin. Although few would use it to tackle seriously tough terrain, its nevertheless a practical engineering solution that works for the target market.
One reason why the CR-V has sold so well is the fact that it can fulfil the roles of two cars in one. The versatility of the cabin and the view from the elevated driving position make urban fetching and carrying less of a chore itself yet the engines game enough to tackle long distance work without a worry. The interior is a more mature, considered proposition compared to the first generation CR-V. The tandem distance, the distance between the hip points of front and rear passengers is now a class-leading 1,007mm, but this space has been found without sacrificing luggage space thanks to the slightly longer overhangs and a lower floor helped by the compact suspension causing little intrusion into the luggage bay.
Hondas MPV experience shows in the sliding 60/40-split rear bench. These seats tumble forwards into a near-vertical storage position, freeing up enough room to fit two mountain bikes upright without having to remove their front wheels. Even with the seats in place the load volume ranges from 527 to 628 cubic litres. The much-copied waterproof storage bin positioned under the load floor has been retained, but Honda has gone one step further in turning its lid into a panel that can be used as a bigger, taller, easier to use picnic table.
Three trim levels are offered to UK customers, SE, SE Sport and Executive. All variants are equipped with air-conditioning, four airbags, CD tuner, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and a rear accessory power socket. You also get drivers
seat height adjustment, the picnic table, remote central locking and electric windows. Should you opt for the SE Sport trim, you can also factor in alloy wheels, climate controlled air-con, a sunroof, body coloured bits and an outside temperature gauge.
The Executive model features soft leather trim that wraps the seats, steering wheels and gear shifter. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels are now standard across the board. Since the CR-V was first launched, a number of rivals have attempted, with varying degrees of success, to replicate the CR-Vs formula. Although the
Toyota RAV4 is probably the closest in concept, British customers are increasingly being swayed by the
Land Rover Freelander.
The latest CR-V looks set to reverse that swing. A victory for pragmatism? "Kurejito ka-do wa tsukaimasuka?" as they say in Swindon
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Honda CR-V range
PRICES: £17,330-£22,930 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 11-13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 177-216g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.0 i-VTEC] Max Speed 110mph / 0-60mph 10.1s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0 i-VTEC] (combined) 31.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4615/2050/1710mm
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