2015 Honda CR-V Quick Spin Review

2015 honda cr-v ・ Photo by Honda

Honda’s CR-V is one of the most popular compact crossover SUVs out there for a very good reason. Well actually, for several very good reasons; it delivers great fuel economy, is spacious, and offers a wealth of the most contemporary tech features. The CR-V is also fun to drive and easy on the wallet besides. As you might expect, these factors lead to strong resale value as well. For the 2015 model year, Honda’s CR-V gets the Accord’s direct-injected four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission. The styling of the compact crossover also gets a mild facelift. A new touchscreen interface is offered for upper trim level examples, and a wealth of electronic safety features are added to the mix as well.

Styling

The CR-Vs mid-cycle refresh brought a new front fascia, blending the redesigned grille with a lower air intake, a skid plate, a new bumper treatment, and new headlights. The redesign gives something of a hawkish countenance to the face of Honda’s crossover. The upswept look also implies aerodynamic efficiency, underscoring one of the CR-V’s chief attributes—its strong fuel economy.

The rear-tapering roofline and integrated rear spoiler enable the CR-V to cut through the atmosphere with minimal resistance. The new tailgate treatment (with available power operation) helps the Honda look wider than it actually is and, in so doing, conveys the impression the CR-V is solidly planted on the road.

A close examination of the hood reveals its trailing edge sweeps upwards to provide cover for the windshield wipers when they are parked. This reduces aerodynamic drag and the resulting wind noise. Similarly, the Honda’s doors are designed so their lower edges overlap the CR-V’s body. This makes ingress and egress easier, as well as reducing the likelihood of you coming into contact with any potential dirt and possibly soiling your clothing.

Performance

Power comes from a 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection. The powerplant generates 181 ft-lbs of torque. Honda offers the engine with a continuously variable transmission and the buyer’s choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is rated at a combined 29 miles per gallon with front-drive, and 28 mpg with all-wheel drive.

Safety

The CR-V’s safety features include pedestrian injury mitigation, stability control, traction control, motion adaptive electric power steering (to help the driver steer in the right direction in skids), brake assist, ABS, a full complement of airbags, tire pressure monitoring, a rearview camera, and hill start assist.

Honda’s LaneWatch system, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning are all part of the available Honda Sensing safety suite.

Pricing & Features

Honda offers CR-V in five states of trim, starting with the $23,445 CR-V LX. Its standard features include full power accessories, a rearview camera, cruise control, air conditioning, Bluetooth audio streaming and handsfree telephony, and Pandora Internet radio compatibility.

The $25,545 EX trim package adds items such as automatic headlights with LED daytime running lights, a sunroof, foglights, keyless entry and pushbutton start, heated front seats, blind spot monitoring, and a touchscreen interface.

The $28,145 EX-L adds roof rails, heated exterior rear-view mirrors, an auto dimming inside rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather, and satellite radio.

The $29,645 EX-L w/Navi adds (you guessed it) satellite navigation.

The top of the line $31,645 Touring package, gets you all of the above—plus projector beam headlights, power operation for the liftgate, smart cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and HD radio.

Optional features include a rear parking sensor array, remote start, a tent, running boards, and a trailer hitch.