CR-V RAISES THE BAR IN 2017
It’s not perfect for its price, but it’s easy to settle into a groove in this crossover
Can it really be 20 years since Honda first debuted its little CR-V sport ute in North America, thus helping — along with the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester — to establish what has become the wildly popular compact crossover segment? There are now more than 15 competitive models in that segment filling driveways and garages across the country.
Considering the new 2017 model is the fifth generation of the CR-V, the answer would be yes.
Now, I haven’t been the CR-V’s most ardent fan, at least in its previous edition, finding it middle of the road, both stylistically and dynamically. But when you’ve sold more than 450,000 units in Canada since 1997, taking up that middle lane is the safe and profitable, if less than inspiring, way to go. Despite coming up short in driving enjoyment (i.e., handling and “feel”) in comparison with, say, sportier crossovers such as Mazda’s CX-5 or the Kia Sportage, it handily outsells both. Clearly, being mainstream works.
Kudos to Honda, then, for the 2017 CR-V’s revamp. While not over the top, it is just a bit more daring, with new platform architecture, more distinctive styling, added content, new safety features and especially a big difference under the hood. This last is the most significant, Honda ditching the yeoman, 185-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine for a smaller but turbocharged 1.5-L four that pumps out a hardier 190 hp. It’s not the extra five ponies that count for much difference, or even the turbo four’s 179 poundfeet of torque (the old 2.4-L engine put out 181 lb-ft), but the fact that the new engine’s peak torque is reached at a low 2,000 r.p.m. and hangs on until 5,000. The old engine didn’t reach peak power until 3,900 r.p.m. The result is not extreme from an acceleration standpoint, but it is there; the new CR-V just feels peppier.
It’s still hooked up to a continuously variable transmission, which seems a good fit. However, the engine has a distinct growl to it when accelerating, which disappears when cruising at a steady speed, after which it is road noise from the winter tires that becomes noticeable. Fuel economy for the week was a reasonable 10 L/100 km in a mix of approximately 65 city/35 highway driving. The good news is that the turbo four runs on regular unleaded fuel.
Honda does offer the CR-V in a base, front-wheel-drive LX form ($26,690). Seriously, though, this is Canada, so the take rate for front-wheel drive will be ridiculously low. After that, it’s all-wheel drive (upgraded for 2017) across the model lineup: LX AWD ($29,490), EX ($32,990), EX-L ($35,290) and top-of-the-line Touring ($38,090). I was given the keys to the Touring edition, all the better to get the full effect of the copious bells and whistles seeded throughout the vehicle.
Admittedly I start clutching my wallet a little tighter when looking at non-luxury-brand compactsized crossovers and sport utes with price tags sneaking up on the $40,000 mark. Sure, at that level, chances are I’m looking at a fully loaded, top-trim model. Still, at around $40K one can also start weighing the pros and cons of upsizing to something in the intermediate class or, if one is particularly status-conscious, how much further the financial stretch is to slide into one of those fancy European nameplates.
This is what played out in my mind during the first 48 hours behind the wheel of the Touring. And then these scenarios disappeared into the wind as the CR-V and I settled into a comfortable groove. No, it’s not the sum total of perfection, but it is obvious Honda has shrugged off much of the ennui that affected its immediate predecessor.
Honda has rejigged the CR-V’s chassis to provide the crossover with a bit more agility when working the turns. Underneath, one will find a typical MacPherson strut front suspension, with a new rear multi-link setup, both ends now with specially tuned low-friction dampers as well as solid rear stabilizer bars that promote flatter cornering. The dual-pinion, variable-ratio electric power steering has a solid weight to it and provides decent communication with the road. The Honda Sensing suite of standard safety and driver-assistive technologies now includes road-departure mitigation and adaptive cruise control (with low-speed follow).
The CR-V sees marked improvements in the cabin, starting with upgraded materials throughout. However, before reciting all the bells and whistles, plus the newest in-vehicle connectivity and a whole bunch of other stuff, let me lead with the most impressive aspect: It’s roomy. I not only have enough wiggle room behind the driver’s seat for my six-foot-two frame, I can then jump into the back seat and not experience any compromise.
Furthermore, cargo room is plentiful, some 37 cubic feet (1,048 L) with the rear seats up, double that when they’re dropped flat. Under-floor storage is available just behind the rear seats.
As for the copious standard mod-cons, the more noticeable include the remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, electric parking brake, rear USB charging ports, front passenger seat with
four-way power adjustment and driver’s seat with eight-way power adjustment and four-way power lumbar support. Furthermore, and considering it’s winter, the Touring edition’s heated front and rear seats, along with a heated steering wheel, were appreciated.
Bothersome issues were limited to the location of the fuel filler door release — down low near the brake pedal — which meant a long stretch to reach it, at least without getting out of the vehicle. I also thought the digital instrument panel was a bit cluttered with info. In addition to the speed readout and the tachometer, the display shows the gear indicator, fuel range, average fuel economy, instantaneous fuel economy graphic, outside temperature readout, mileage indicator and clock.
Quibbles aside, the upshot is this: There’s a lot of new and revised compact crossovers due out this year, so it’s too early to bestow any sort of “best” title on the CR-V for 2017. However, the fifth-generation CR-V is Honda bringing its A game.