Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Honda CR-V 1.6i-DTEC 160 Auto AWD
Price: to be confirmed
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: four-wheel drive, nine-speed automatic
Body style: five-seat SUV
CO2 emissions: 134g/km (Band B, £20 per year)
Combined economy: 55.3mpg
Top speed: 122mph
0-62mph: 10.0 seconds
Power: 160hp at 4,000rpm
Torque 350Nm at 2,000rpm
What's this?
A revised Honda CR-V; the popular SUV is coming in for some mid-life updates to improve economy, refinement and safety while giving Honda an excuse to add some chrome around the nose and add LED rear lights. There are some interior changes too, largely centring around the new seven-inch touchscreen that adds more connectivity, entertainment and mirror-link tethering with your smartphone. Honda also says that there are improved materials around touch points inside, but, honestly, we're hard-pushed to notice the difference. Nonetheless, although the interior fit and finish are good, the materials are not quite as polished as that of some of its premium rivals, especially given the CR-V's typically strong pricing.
How does it drive?
This is where the real revisions should be felt, as Honda has been busy downsizing its most powerful diesel offering, replacing the automatic transmission and fiddling with the suspension and steering. The results are, well, inconclusive without an old one to drive back-to-back. The CR-V was always a capable car, so the changes Honda has made do nothing to change that. There's quicker steering thanks to a revised rack, while, according to Honda, wider tracks front and rear, revisions to the anti-roll bars and less weight over the front all improve turn-in and resistance to understeer. The thing is though, the CR-V's not something you're likely to be throwing about, not least because if you do you are rewarded with a fair bit of body roll. Keep it sensible then (let's face it: what customers won't?) and the CR-V is a pleasing thing exhibiting fine ride comfort, acceptable steering and good refinement.
The most notable changes focus on the new engine, Honda developing its 120hp 1.6-litre turbodiesel into a 160hp unit. To achieve that Honda added a further turbo, while a nine-speed unit has replaced the old five-speed automatic option. Given it has 44 per cent more ratios it's a good thing it's smooth and imperceptible in its shifting. There are wheel-mounted paddles should you wish to take command, but it's unlikely you'll ever feel the need to.
Honda has also added some new driver aids too, including the option of Intelligent Active Cruise Control, its system predicting cars cutting into your lane. There's a standard City-Brake Active system as well, though like most systems it can be a touch eager, one rather dramatic and unnecessary intervention in our drive underlining this. We'd rather just pay attention for ourselves, thanks.
Verdict
This is an entirely predictable refresh of Honda's big-selling CR-V. Nothing to get overly excited about, but then the changes allow the CR-V to do what it does well a little bit more economically, which cannot be a bad thing. Spacious and useful, it's little wonder it's a good seller, and the updates mean it should remain so.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
