Car and Driver Reviews of 2015 Honda Cr V -ex
Long-Term SUV Review: threescore days with the 2015 Honda CR-V
Honda'due south CR-V is the right blend of pricing, fuel economy, refinement and resale value – a spot-on formula for many Canadians
Even before nosotros punched the bright red offset button of our latest 60-mean solar day test bulldoze subject, the 2015 Honda CR-V SE AWD, we already knew the 21st-century meaty crossover had become the modern equivalent to the 20th-century station wagon. What nosotros were more interested in finding out after two months and nearly 3,000 kilometres of errand running and shuttle busing was if Honda's ever-popular entry deserved its perennial all-time-seller status in an increasingly competitive and crowded segment.
Although information technology was one of the first car-based small utility vehicles to keep sale in the belatedly-1990s, the front- or all-wheel-bulldoze, iv-door and five-passenger CR-V'southward winning formula has been copied by every mainstream automaker and even some luxury brands. Despite all the new kids on the small-scale crossover block, Honda Canada sold over 37,000 CR-Vs in 2014, making it the second near popular compact crossover in the state, right behind the pinnacle-selling Ford Escape with over 52,000 examples sold and just ahead of the Toyota RAV4 and its 36,000 examples moved.
Hither's how the 2015 Honda CR-5 stacks upwards against Canada's 8 other acknowledged meaty CUVs under $xl,000
Tough crowd, correct? So while the latest generation of CR-5 arrived for 2012, Honda's keeping things fresh for 2015, primarily with some new exterior styling and an updated powertrain that promises both better acceleration and fuel economy — a rare fox. Just is that enough to keep the Honda in the race confronting its Ford and Toyota rivals? One manner the Honda is definitely competitive is pricing.
Including freight and pre-delivery inspection fees, our $31,663 CR-V SE AWD long term tester is a new trim line exclusive to Canada. It nicely slides between the base $27,718 Sixty-FWD and the topline $38,313 Touring. We found nearly of the SE AWD'southward additions over the LX (like traction at all 4 wheels, keyless entry with push-button offset, two more than speakers in the sound organisation, and the HondaLink Assist Automated Emergency Response Arrangement) made the SE AWD easier to alive with day-to-day.
Like whatsoever popular consumer practiced, cute-utes like the Honda CR-5 sell because they entreatment to a wide spectrum of buyers. After 60 days with the CR-V using information technology mainly every bit an urban — and occasionally suburban — runabout, we learned that the Honda crossover tin cater to many masters.
The chauffeur in the family unit appreciated the Honda'southward depression step-in meridian, bully view forward and comfortable and supportive seats. Plus we found the CR-V SE AWD's steering accurate and communicative. Those not behind the Honda's steering wheel had few complaints also.
Also read: Function 3 of our long-term 2015 Honda CR-5 review
Co-pilots upwards front enjoyed the CR-5's nuance-mounted gear selector. It freed-upward space for a heart panel that tin house mugs, phones, and a new-this-yr centre console armrest. While rear seat passengers enjoyed more hip- and shoulder room than what our record measures found in an Escape and RAV4. And everyone onboard welcomed the Honda's refined ride and repose cabin. Even over bad road surfaces, the Honda dutifully kept the bumps and potholes every bit bay.
And for those members of our 60-day road test crew designated as cargo managers, the CR-5'due south spacious and easy-to-access rear hold was quite handy. Dimensionally, the Honda can carry up to 996 litres of ringette bags and/or lawn fertilizer (your pick). That's more than the Escape and meliorate however, in that location are few protuberances in the cargo hold and a relatively low rear bumper to brand information technology easier to elevator heavy objects.
It may take been no surprise that we found the Honda to be every bit practical and flexible equally advertised, but we were also happy with its updated powertrain for 2015. Honda promised that by putting the direct-injected 2.4-litre four-cylinder gas engine and continously variable automatic transmission — the lone powertrain selection — from the Honda Accord into the CR-Five, the compact crossover would be quicker in a direct-line and more miserly at the pumps. And afterwards a couple of months in our easily, we can verify both those boasts.
The CR-V's 184 horsepower remains the same equally last year, only that'south withal more than what you'll find in the base engines of the Escape and RAV4. More than significantly, though, the Honda's torque rating goes from 163 to 181 lb.-ft. Over again, more than its ii rivals and making our Honda scoot from residuum to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds — about 1.5 seconds faster than the 2014 version. And in apply, we too institute the CR-5'south CVT one of the more than natural in experience, with singled-out — albeit imitation — gear changes.
Regardless of its newfound performance, our CR-5 SE AWD was also competitive at the pumps. Over its two months with us, we could non get its indicated average fuel economy to average more than 10.eight litres per 100 kilometres and that was almost entirely in urban center apply.
Plaudits aside, we nevertheless think in that location's room for improvement. For case, while most of the CR-5's commuter's instrumentation and controls are logically laid out and easy to utilise, it would be less distracting when driving not to accept to search for information over the several digital screens. Plus, at this price level, the CR-Five is missing features that rivals offer, similar a heated steering wheel and automatic climate control, and exposes the electric current CR-Five platform'south age. Ostentatious for some buyers, perhaps, just rivals have been offering such luxuries for years.
Don't miss: Part 1 and Part two of our long-term Honda CR-V review
And while the current CR-V received a 2015 Acme Safety Pick+ rating from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Condom (IIHS), its "superior" rating in front crash prevention is only awarded if you lot go the optional Collision Mitigation Braking Organisation in the topline Touring model. Also, many buyers opt for the Honda because information technology'due south an excellent selection if you're the type of heir-apparent who wants a longer relationship with their vehicle than 60 days. That's why the 2015 CR-V won ALG's Residual Value Laurels in the Mainstream Compact Utility class, an honour for vehicles that are "forecast to retain the highest percentage of MSRP afterwards a four-year period."
So after 8 weeks, what did we acquire about the 2015 Honda CR-5 SE AWD?
No doubt the CR-V plays in a very antagonistic segment. Although it doesn't stand out in any particular area, the Honda seemingly offers the right alloy of competitive pricing, plenty of room for five, decent fuel economy, a quiet ride and handling package and a reputation as an excellent long-term purchase. For enough of Canadians, that formula seems spot on.
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Source: https://driving.ca/reviews/road-test/long-term-suv-review-60-days-with-the-2015-honda-cr-v
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