Honda CR-V
The
latest Honda CR-V pushes the boundaries of how car-like
an SUV should really be...
What's
New
When the Honda CR-V made its worldwide debut in 1995, the
Japanese automaker shook the mid-size Sports Utility Vehicle
(SUV) segment to its core, and went on to dominate many
markets around the world. More than a decade later, more
than 2.5 million CR-Vs have been sold in over 160 countries.
Based
on an all-new platform, the third generation CR-V is slightly
shorter in length as the spare tyre has moved from the tailgate
to below the luggage bay. It also has wider wheel tracks
and a lower roof. Apart from a new suspension setup, the
ride height is now closer to the ground and the wheelbase
has been shortened in the interest of better on-road handling
while the chassis is said to be 85 percent stiffer than
the previous model.
Unlike
the previous car's boxy proportions and conservative lines,
the current CR-V is accented by bold curves. Some of the
prominent design changes include the C-shaped D-pillar,
arched roof and bulbous rear hatch. The front has a twin-grille
and large headlights, and the 2.4-litre variant tested comes
shod with 18-inch alloy wheels as standard.
The
CR-V cockpit is meant to accommodate five passengers and
Honda claims, even with the slightly shortened wheelbase,
the rear legroom is hardly compromised.
There
are two variants offered in our market. The entry-level
CR-V has a 150bhp 2.0-litre engine, while the range topper
is powered by a 170bhp 2.4-litre four-cylinder unit.
How
it Performs
With a flattish torque curve, the CR-V boasts excellent
acceleration at all revs. Power delivery is silky smooth
and the engine remains vocally subdued when pushed hard.
The automatic gearbox is responsive and it shifts through
its five ratios seamlessly.
In
dynamic terms, the CR-V is a different animal from its predecessor.
The steering provides a decent amount of feedback and body-roll
is well under control. It enters a corner flatly, while
the tyres provide plenty of grip. There's no detectable
chassis flex in all kinds of situation, which can be confidence-inspiring
when you are driving hard. In other words, the CR-V handles
better than most of its peers, making the driver feel like
he is piloting a family hatchback rather than an off-roader.
With
the large rims, low-profile tyres and sporty suspension,
the ride quality is understandably on the firm side, although
it always manages to soak up badly-surfaced roads with fluency.
Also, tyre noise is quite prominent at speeds above 80km/h.
Inside,
the dashboard is made of high-quality plastics. It's well
assembled too, with switches that feel first-rate. Only
the driver's seat is electrically adjustable though. The
seating position isn't as high as a typical SUV but at least
there's generous head and legroom.
Conveniently,
the boot has a double-deck shelf to allow you to use the
cargo space more efficiently and the 60:40 split rear bench
can be stowed away completely to allow a cavernous luggage
area.
How
it Stacks Up
The CR-V we drove has all the options that include six airbags,
sunroof, leather upholstery, cruise-control, steering-mounted
audio controls, two-zone climate control, rain sensing wipers,
parking sensors and HID headlamps. If you can do without
these features, there is also the base model for $8,500
less.
It's
much more fun to drive than the previous model, better equipped
and feels like it belongs in a class above. The CR-V is
a brilliant package whether you're an existing SUV owner
looking to upgrade or someone who has never thought about
getting an SUV.
| Technical Specifications |
|
MODEL
Honda CR-V 2.4 SR (A)
ENGINE
Engine: 2354cc, 16-valve in-line 4
Max Power: 170bhp at 5,800rpm
Max Torque: 218Nm at 4,200rpm
TRANSMISSION
5-speed automatic
TOP SPEED
190km/h
0-100km/h
11.0s
|
