Honda CR-V Special Report – The Generation Game

Table of Contents

Constructing on the strengths of 5 genre-defining generations of compact SUVs, Honda’s new CR-V continues to set the usual with its mix of reliability and innovation.

CR-V
Picture: Honda

Looking for a new or used Honda CR-V? Find it here with CARmag! 

Since its launch virtually 30 years in the past, Honda’s CR-V has performed a main position in shaping the midsize SUV as we all know it. By means of 5 generations, the CR-V has developed to embody Honda’s dedication to innovation and client satisfaction. Every iteration units new benchmarks in design, expertise, and reliability. Now in its sixth era, the CR-V has distilled all that’s nice about its predecessors, whereas introducing a number of enhancements. Delving into the evolution of this genre-defining SUV – we take a look at CAR’s experiences with every era earlier than exploring how the most recent mannequin combines the virtues of fashions previous with a watch to the long run.

Over greater than 20 years, we’ve put the CR-V via its paces in CAR’s rigorous highway checks. Right here we take a look at how every era met the challenge…

First era – 1995

Once we road-tested the first-gen CR-V again in our June 1998 concern, the automotive panorama was very completely different. Again then SUVs had been fringe gamers, seen as extra as all-terrain-biased workhorses slightly than household automobiles. Primarily based on the Civic platform, it’s extensively credited with sparking the transfer from SUVs being seen as workhorses to automobiles higher suited to assembly household and life-style provisos, because of its spectacular journey high quality, straightforward dealing with, and modern, light-weight part-time AWD system.

CR-V
Picture: Honda

It launched intelligent packaging options reminiscent of a detachable baggage bay flooring that doubles as a picnic desk and an area beneath that includes a big, detachable waterproof bin that’s good for storing moist or muddy life-style gear.

We concluded it to be “a worthy competitor within the fast-growing SUV segment”.

Second era – 2001

Nonetheless primarily based on the Civic Platform, the second-generation mannequin was significantly bigger than its predecessor and positioned even larger emphasis on road-going consolation. This mannequin was famous for its flat-floored cabin, achieved by shifting the transmission and handbrake controls to a column and facia to facilitate a walk-through configuration, and extra performance because of sliding adjustment for the rear seats. 

In our September 2002 highway take a look at, we lauded the CR-V as having an added dose of “Vitamin R – for Recreation” owing to its mixture of pleasing highway manners and intelligent packaging that marked an evolution of the SUV from a rugged, compromised workhorse to a real various to sedans and sporty hatchbacks. 

Third era – 2006 

Whereas the primary two generations had been gearing up for the transition from a utilitarian SUV to a extra car-like bundle, the third-generation CR-V represented revolutionary change. In addition to an all-new design that integrated sleeker styling and a extra upmarket inside. 

CR-V

Honda positioned quite a lot of emphasis on enhancing components reminiscent of journey high quality and NVH suppression to cater to a purchaser demographic that demanded sedan qualities of their midsize SUVs. Regardless of its extra compact exterior dimensions, this mannequin served up considerably extra inside than its predecessors – one of many virtues that, together with superior refinement and on-road manners, noticed the two.2 i-DTEC Government AT greatest Nissan’s X-Path 2.0 dCi 4×4 LE in an April 2007 comparative take a look at.

Fourth era – 2011

In 2013 we had two alternatives to pattern the fourth-generation CR-V, discovering the two.0 Consolation mannequin had adopted the robust acts of its predecessors by increase “an enviable status for reliability, consolation and quality”. We then pitted it in opposition to formidable opposition within the RAV4 2.0 GX, Subaru Forester 2.0X and Hyundai ix35 2.0 Government in an October 2013 comparative take a look at. The CR-V got here out on high, feeling extra upmarket than its entry-level positioning in its line-up advised. Head and shoulders above its rivals by way of inside packaging and end. “With its comfy, high-quality inside, clean drivetrain, and stylish design, the Honda is a surprise at this worth level…as polished as an entry-level SUV expertise can be”, we concluded.

Fifth era – 2016

With its forebears having held a high place in its class over time, incomes a number of CAR Prime 12 Finest Buys awards, the fifth-generation CR-V was examined in our September 2017 concern. This model supplied a refined line-up comprising two engine decisions: a 2.0-litre inline-four and a brand new 1.5-litre turbo petrol, each petrol-fed and mated to a CVT. The design overhaul boasted a trendy and trendy exterior with notable chrome accents and glossy traces.

2019 CR-V hybrid

Inside, upmarket finishes, best-in-class rear leg- and headroom, and a touchscreen infotainment system had been among the many highlights. Ample storage, spectacular headroom, and beneficiant legroom furthered its family-friendly attraction. We had been notably impressed with the 1.5’s refinement. “On motorways, the loping journey high quality makes for a calming driving expertise…together with wonderful NVH properties that returned one of many lowest in-cabin sound measurements at idle we’ve recorded.”

The final chapter

The all-new CR-V builds upon every part that made its predecessors such successful. Obtainable in Unique and Government trims, it incorporates the firm’s newest developments in design, energetic security expertise and driving pleasure. 

Associated: Review: Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive CVT

Standing 115 mm longer and 10 mm wider than its forebear, the brand new CR-V’s design gleans inspiration from the Eleventh-generation Civic whereas reducing a particular determine of its personal. From the entrance, with its upright grille and commonplace LED headlamps, to the robust beltline and sportily raked roofline incorporating a panoramic sunroof, and all the way down to an all-new interpretation of the signature stacked LED brake lamps, the brand new automobile is trendy but immediately recognisable as a CR-V. 

The range-topping Government mannequin ups the visible ante with a sporty mesh grille insert, sculpted entrance and rear valances, chromed exhaust ideas, and rolls on 19-inch alloy wheels. A selection of seven exterior colors is obtainable, together with a model-exclusive Canyon River Blue Metallic end.

In line with its family-friendly roots, the brand new CR-V’s 7-seater cabin not solely serves up class-leading area for its occupants however bristles with modern options. Space for storing is plentiful, beginning with a nine-litre centre console bin and culminating in a boot Honda is reportedly able to accommodating round 600 litres with the sliding second row in place and greater than 1 600 litres with all of the seats stowed.

Picture: Honda

Trimmed in upmarket supplies, together with metallic finishes, and that includes neat touches reminiscent of a hanging honeycomb motif spanning the facia, the cabin performs host to crisp digitised instrumentation (together with a ten.2-inch interactive panel within the Unique mannequin) and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Consolation lies on the coronary heart of the CR-V’s cabin because of logical ergonomics, modern body-stabilising entrance seats that fight fatigue and even energetic noise cancelling within the audio system to dampen highway noise, making for a serene atmosphere.    

Due to an up to date turbocharging system that improves responsiveness, the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine develops its 140 kW over a broader rev vary than earlier than, whereas delivering its peak torque of 240 N.m between 1 700 and 4 500 r/min. The CVT has additionally undergone quite a few enhancements, together with a quieter belt and housing meeting, in addition to an optimised management unit incorporating early downshifts underneath braking and digital gear steps that lend it extra character when urgent on. The CVT ensures clean and seamless transitions between gears, optimising efficiency and gasoline effectivity whereas providing a refined driving expertise.

CR-V

Underpinning the brand new automobile is Honda’s Enhanced World Structure, which in addition to offering a spacious, sensible structure, excels in torsional rigidity for larger consolation and security. Retuned suspension incorporating stronger mounting factors combines with an electrical energy steering setup geared for larger responsiveness and really feel, and an improved braking system with brake Help and EBD to serve up a driving expertise that’s as exhilarating as it’s secure.

Security takes centre stage within the new CR-V with the inclusion of the superior Honda Sensing System. This complete suite of driver-assistive applied sciences gives an additional layer of safety, guaranteeing a secure and safe driving expertise. From a collision mitigation braking system to lane preserving help, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise management and driver fatigue monitoring, the Honda Sensing System embodies the agency’s dedication to security innovation, offering peace of thoughts in each driving situation. 

Discover the total function within the Might concern of CAR Journal.

Browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag!

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest