DRIVER’S JOURNAL
Day 1: First impression is that it’s a nice-looking vehicle. I appreciate that it has some muted trim and it’s not overly chromed out. The wheels were impressive and the contouring of the hood was a nice feature. I really liked that the large windshield and minimal front pillars allowed for an unobstructed view.
Day 2: I’m really impressed with the interior finishing. The leatherette/ fabric seats were nice and comfortable and the dash and doors have a very high-end look and feel — no cheap plastic here. The morning commute was a little cool and I quickly discovered the heated steering wheel. The heated seats took no time to warm up and made the drive very comfortable. I’ve left the right-turn camera on and absolutely love this feature. Driving downtown and sharing a lane with bicycles is sometimes a challenge. Between the massive side mirrors and this camera, I can’t imagine ever being surprised by a cyclist or another vehicle.
Day 3: The CR-V was starting to feel more familiar. Played around with the touch screen to adjust the stereo settings and become more acquainted with everything. I did find the combination of touch screen and knob for the climate control a little odd (Initially, I had to pull over to figure out how to turn the heat down).
Day 4: Went for a trip to do a little antique shopping. I tested the cruise control and found the Adaptive
Cruise Control a little annoying. I guess I’m old school and prefer to make these speed/distance decisions myself. The Lane-keep Assist System that runs in tandem was a little shocking as well, and it is something to get used to.
Day 5: Very cold and snowy, but it handled well. The AWD was a great feature and I had no problems on the ice and hills. Needed to load a six-foot box into the back and it fit with room to spare. It has plenty of cargo room with the back seats folded down flat. The back seats are also spacious and comfortable.
Day 6: Wish I would have figured out the remote start before now. My one complaint is that the touch door unlock was sporadic. Most of the time I had to use the fob to open it but the touch lock worked great on exit. Made a quick trip up and down Stoney Trail and there is a feeling of safety and enough power to pass slower moving vehicles easily.
Day 7: One last jaunt on the highway. My overall impression of the CR-V is that it’s a very nice vehicle. It handles well, has all the bells and whistles that you could ever need, and it would be comparable to a much more expensive vehicle.