By Asian Journal Auto Editor
The Honda CR-V is a mid-sized CUV that has won a multitude of Canadian and American awards over the years. It was the 2018 Motor Trend SUV of the Year for one thing. And it is not hard to see why given its comprehensive features, ease of ownership, reliability, comfort and family orientated versatility. Now in its fifth-generation for 2019, it is still an attractive CUV with its sleek LED headlights, muscular fenders, and bold styling. All Honda CR-Vs are now fitted with a turbocharged 1.5 liter four cylinder engines that is more powerful than the old 2.4L. Output is up with 190hp with 179 lb-ft of torque mated to a CVT transmission. Note; there is no V6 engined version of the CRV.
In terms of trim lines, the CR-V range starts with the LX 2WD at $27, 490 – with features such as Apple CarPlay, Remote Engine Start, Heated Front seats, Proximity Key with Pushbutton Start, Homelink, and Tilt and tele steering wheel with controls and Rear Heater Ducts. The LX at $30,290 – offers Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control, Honda Sensing Technologies, Multi Angle Rear Camera with dynamic Guidelines and Blue Tooth. The EX priced at $33,790 offers Honda Lanewatch, blind spot display, 17 inch aluminum wheels, and 2.5 amp USB Charge ports in the second row. The EX-L model at $36,090 adds heated leather wrapped steering wheel, leather perforated seating surfaces, power tailgate, and memory driver’s seat.
The top –of the line Ex-L Touring version priced at $38,890 offers a hands free tailgate with programmable height, blind spot information with rear cross traffic alerts system, Ambient Lighting, 9 Speaker, 331 watt Premium Audio, Dual Exhaust With Chrome Finisher, Roof Rails, 7 inch display audio with satellite nav and bilingual voice recognitions, HD Radio and Panoramic sunroof.
Safety is high with Honda’s Sensing suite of driver assist technology, comprising of: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and a road departure mitigation system, Blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beam.
The Honda CR-V offers a great interior, The CR-V’s cabin is finished in high-quality materials. In addition to leather seats on the higher models – panels and trim are livened up with metal trim, nicely textured plastics and raised stitching on the dash. It is all done very nicely. Meanwhile, the high driving position and comfortable seats offer good long distance travel. There is plenty of storage in all quarters for all family gear. The rear cabin is also well-equipped. The heated back seat offers plenty of leg- and headroom for passengers. Cargo versatility is good, with the backseat split 60/40 that folds flat with a simple pull of a lever. There is 2,100 litres of volume with the seats down and 1,065 L with them up. Towing capacity for the CR-V is rated at 680 kg.
Honda’s excellent 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder is well matched to the CR-V. With 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, offering adequate acceleration. There is an eco-setting for the engine, but it does stifle acceleration slightly. Handling is very good, with the CR-V proving to be agile in corners. The steering is on the numb side, but this is no sports car, however braking is very good with strong, even, modulation. With the incumbent weather we recently had, happy to report the CR-V performed very well in the wet, icy roads we encountered. Both wind and road noises is low, and the CR-V proves to be a very easy to drive CUV- exactly why it is so well liked. Fuel economy is at the top of the class with the CR-V offering a claimed fuel economy for FWD models at 8.4L/100km in the city, 7.0 on the highway. The AWD models deliver about 8.7 city, 7.2 highway on regular fuel.
If you are looking for a value packed CUV with a very good pedigree, you simply can’t overlook the Honda CR-V. It is easy to drive, own and is very well priced. The base LX 2WD is a particular good buy at $27,490 with its multitude of features as standard. The upper level models offer luxury and convenience features that are nice, but come at a price. Highly recommended as an excellent family Crossover Utility vehicle, with plenty of comfort and practicality, The CRV is still a great family friendly CUV. Highly recommended.
2019 Honda CR-V Priced from $27,490. www.honda.ca
