10 Things You Need to Know About the 2017 Honda CR-V

2017 Honda CR V Front Quarter ・ Photo by Honda

The new 2017 Honda CR-V marks a stunning evolution of one of America’s most popular crossovers. The CR-V is Honda’s longest running crossover and as it enters its fifth generation, it settles into its spot as the middle child in the lineup. With the sub-compact HR-V slotted beneath and the three-row Pilot in the top slot, the compact CR-V has truly come into its own. Far from the dowdy box that debuted over two decades ago, the CR-V now has the sleek exterior lines and the stunning interior that may have you rethink the purchase of a premium brand. Simply put, it’s that good. In the following pages, we’ll deliver the skinny on 10 Things You Need to Know About the 2017 Honda CR-V.

1) It’s fully revised for 2017 and it’s splendid.

Honda's designers and engineers have truly taken the 2017 CR-V to the next level. The introduction of the HR-V as Honda’s entry-level crossover allowed the CR-V to move up market with a more sculpted exterior that includes high-tech touches like LED lighting. A dramatic change under the hood takes the CR-V where no Honda crossover has ever gone before. The 2017 CR-V is offered in four levels of trim: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The leather upholstery in the EX-L and Touring model delivers a truly premium experience.

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2) Yeah, it’s got a Turbo.

CR-V models have always carried naturally aspirated engines between their fenders. Until now. 2017 CR-V can now be fitted with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four cylinder engine (shared with the Civic) mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), with the exception of the base LX, which relies on a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine. The perky turbo four pumps out 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque across a broad range. Power delivery is consistent, but it’s not a barn-burner. We saw 0-60 mph times in the eight-second range, which is middle of the pack for the class. By comparison, it’s faster than a 1.5-liter EcoBoost Ford Escape, but slower than the 2.0-liter EcoBoost Escape.

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3) It delivers solid fuel economy.

The all-wheel-drive (AWD) 1.5-liter turbocharged CR-V is EPA rated at 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway/29 mpg combined (which matches the Subaru Crosstrek). We saw an average of slightly over 27 mpg in a week of mixed driving. The 14-gallon fuel tank provides an acceptable amount of range. The CR-V’s turbocharged engine is designed to run on regular fuel, unlike a number of turbocharged engines (like the Jeep Renegade’s 1.4T) which prefer pricey high-octane premium fuel. The AWD Nissan Rogue Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid currently deliver the best fuel economy ratings in the compact crossover class, at an EPA-rated 34 and 32 mpg combined, respectively. All that said, the upcoming 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Turbodiesel is poised to trump the class on the highway.

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4) It’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

The 2017 Honda CR-V is one of the safest small crossovers on the market today. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the CR-V a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with LED headlights and the extensive Honda Sensing safety suite, which are standard features on the Touring model. Honda Sensing features include adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep with low-speed follow, blind-spot mirrors, forward collision warning, and a collision-mitigation braking system. The rear-view camera provides bendy lines and multiple camera views, while the new Driver Attention Monitor detects drowsy behavior. The 2017 Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4 are also IIHS Top Safety Picks+ when fully equipped.

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5) The price is right.

The CR-V is priced well against the competition, with a starting MSRP of $24,045 for the base two-wheel-drive LX model. The fully equipped all-wheel-drive (AWD) CR-V Touring tops out the range at $33,795 with all the bells and whistles. By comparison, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 starts at $24,410, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox at $23,580, and the Ford Escape at $23,750. The 2017 Hyundai Tuscon is one of the least expensive entries, with a starting MSRP of $22,700, but if you choose the range-topping AWD Tuscon Limited and add the Ultimate option package, it has a total MSRP of $34,875. Dealer incentives will shuffle the deck, of course.

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6) It has a cabin that befits an Acura.

The CR-V’s interior is among the best in its class. The cabin is quiet and well-trimmed, with an upscale design and splendid perforated-leather upholstery in the upper ranges. The supportive front bucket seats feature three-level heating, with 12-way power adjustment and four-way power lumbar support in the driver’s seat. (The front passenger seat gets by with four-way power adjustment.) Active noise-cancellation technology masks road noise. Dual-zone HVAC is standard in all models, except the base LX. If you climbed into the cabin blindfolded and didn’t see the Honda emblems, you’d think you were in an Acura. It’s that good.

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7) Everyone stays connected.

It’s all about the infotainment these days and the CR-V delivers. The Touring model includes a nine-speaker 360-watt premium audio system with Bluetooth support, of course, and all the goodies. The seven-inch touchscreen system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Audio support as standard equipment. The interface features a crisp modern design and Honda has wisely chosen to include an honest-to-goodness volume knob (rather than a touch slider). There’s a place for everyone to charge up, with twelve-volt outlets at the base of the dash and inside the center console, alongside a pair of USB ports. The Touring model includes satellite-linked navigation.

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8) It has the best second row in its class.

The second row is one of the 2017 Honda CR-V’s strongest attributes, with 38.3 inches of head room, 40.4 inches of leg room, and 55.6 inches of shoulder room. Legroom is a standout, with the CR-V beating the Toyota RAV4 (37.2 inches), Ford Escape (36.8 inches), and Nissan Rogue (37.9 inches) handily. The 60/40 seat includes recline capability with a well-padded center armrest that includes a pair of cup holders. The Touring model includes two USB charging ports on the back of the center console. Ingress and egress are a snap. Bottom line? Your passengers will love climbing into the CR-V’s roomy back seat. If you're headed for the kid's athletic fields, you'll want to opt for the heavy-duty floor mats and cargo tray.

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9) It has great cargo space.

If hauling stuff is a priority, the CR-V is a top choice. The cargo area leads the class overall, with 39.2 cubic feet of space behind the 60/40-split bench seat and a whopping 75.8 cubic feet with the fold-flat seats folded down. By comparison, the Toyota RAV4 provides 38.4 cubic feet, the Ford Escape 34.3 cubic feet, and the Nissan Rogue 39.3 cubic feet behind the back seats. The difference in total cargo area is more dramatic, with the Toyota RAV4 allowing a total of 73.4 cubic feet, the Ford Escape 67.8 cubic feet, and the Nissan Rogue 70 cubic feet. The CR-V’s two-level cargo floor provides extra space and a hands-free liftgate makes eases loading chores, while levers on the sides of the cargo compartment make it a snap to lower the rear seats. Whether your hauling antiques from an estate sale, Labrador Retrievers to the dog park, or the monthly bonanza from Costco, the CR-V is a worthy steed.

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10) It is the standard for other compact crossovers to reach.

With this latest revision, the 2017 Honda CR-V sets the standard to which all small crossovers will be compared. The ride is calm, quiet, and composed. The real time all-wheel-drive system delivers confidence on loose surfaces and the cabin is among the best in class. While drivers looking for more sporty handling and dramatic styling will be inevitably drawn to the Mazda CX-5, the CR-V will keep most families safe and happy for years to come with a full suite of technologies and a roomy upscale cabin.

Photo by Honda