Honda CR-V An SUV Which Makes Good Sense
We would be wrong to doubt five million owners who own CR-V but it’s hard to see what all the fuss is about with the new Honda CR-V. This dull soft-roader might have helped shape the character of today’s growing SUV market but since its launch in 1995, it’s basically become a Mumsnet on wheels. A powered tailgate comes standard on the top-spec EX trim is a good example on this fourth-generation CR-V of practicality. The rear door does everything automatically except opening. Why’s that, we asked? “Ah,” said the Honda engineer. “These things are expensive bits of kit and we want our owners to have the confidence that if it did go wrong, they know that they will be able to get into the back.”
Honda is the reliability champion and the fourth-generation CR-V doesn’t let you down either. It is being produced at the Swindon plant and went on sale in October. Gone is the bestial nose, the trout pout rear and that weird car that swallowed a car appearance. Instead it is a front end based car relying heavily on Honda’s evolutionary FCX clarity fuel-cell model. It also supports a low roof line and reduced length. It has a smaller wheelbase as the model it replaces and looks attractive. The CR-V’s cabin has more head room, rear leg space and boot space. The huge seats feel comfortable. There is lots of storage space and a useful centre console for the driver.
The boot capacity is 598 litres which extend to a whooping 1,669 litres with folded rear seats. Civic has a space-rocket dashboard. An optional satnav screen is in the centre and it has a smaller information screen above it. Owners can download their own pictures to use as backgrounds. CR-V comes equipped with an option of two engines; a 2.0 litre petrol and 2.2 litre turbo diesel. You can choose from a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. For the first time, a two wheel drive version which knocks down the price to GBP21,000. A fully loaded automatic diesel will cost up to GBP35,000. Honda has revised its diesel engine to make it more economical and it even behaves like a petrol engine. It isn’t the most powerful unit but it is highly refined with more than enough juice.
The stop/start system is one of the best, particularly on the diesel. The 4×4 system gives confidence to the handling while not being too heavy on the pocket. The whole the ride is comfortable. The standard 17in wheels that are fitted to S and SE models will ride more softly. It is a quiet and refined vehicle. The CR-V is the pioneer in safety and this fourth-generation CR-V doesn’t let you down either. It has a new front-end structure designed to match the crash protection height as well as electronic stability program, traction control, trailer stability control, emergency-stop braking and brake-force distribution. Active cruise control and a lane-keeping assistant are also an option. It drives well feels safe and is solidly engineered.
