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Why The Honda CR-V Is Still The Best Crossover SUV

The CR-V is a great example of beast-like performance and beautiful design. The multiple awards this car has garnered across the globe are well deserved. Despite facing stiff competition from counterparts such as the X-Trail and Toyota Vanguard, the CR-V has been able to retain its crown as the best performing modern family SUV. Its usual mix of practicality, efficiency, and fun features make it a valuable addition to any household.

 
 
 

In 2011, the designers and engineers at Honda made the bold decision to come up with a new shape and the results were totally worth the leap of faith! The new aerodynamic design captures a clean and modern aesthetic that is pleasing to all drivers.

 
 
 

Performance and Fuel Economy

 

 

 

The 2014 Honda CR-V comes with 3 engine varieties: the 2.4 Litre K24A i-VTEC petrol engine, the 2.0 Litre R20A i-VTEC petrol engine and the 2.2 Litre i-DTEC turbo diesel engine which is common in European models. These engines are linked to a choice of either a 6-Speed Manual, a 5-speed automatic, 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT and are available in both 2WD and 4WD. Another key change Honda made in 2011, was upgrading the CR-V’s fuel efficiency. The difference between the 20G and 24G in terms of performance is quite significant. While the 20G with CVT transmission performs well, the 24G with the 5-Speed Automatic Transmission is much more enjoyable to drive thanks to its dynamic responsiveness. The 2.4L Petrol model accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.9 sec while consuming fuel at a rate of 11.6 km/l and has a fuel tank with a capacity of 58L making it one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in the market. The newly added Econ mode further helps when it comes to fuel economics but, drivers have to make do with slower acceleration and a dulled throttle response.

 

 

 

Interior Layout

 

 

 

The windscreen pillars are compatible with a large SUV of its kind because their slim layers enhance perfect visibility. Further, visibility is strengthened by the available parking front and rear sensors and cameras. The dashboard layout, on the other hand, although not different from Honda Civic, it’s not the best for its SUV class. The infotainment is high-end technically but may not meet the expectations for those who have experienced Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan. CR-V’s base model boasts of a 5.0-inch color radio screen but a 7.0-inch infotainment system is typical across other models, especially in the hybrid category. The user interface features an Android auto, Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM satellite radio.

 

However, the infotainment operating system can be sluggish sometimes and complex to comprehend and manoeuvre through applications. The CR-V’s interior atmosphere is embellished by soft-touch plastics on the upper, gloss black panels, and a silvery theme. More intriguing is the amount of interior space – the central console has plenty of storage space. The rear storage space allows the seats to fold flat and the backrest handles facilitate a 40/60 split of the seats during the folding process. It offers more rear legroom.

 
 
 

Safety and Driver-Assistance Systems

 

 

 

Safety is paramount and automotive companies always strive to ensure they implement world-class safety measures in their cars. For Honda CR-V, safety is at its core of lean processes. The CR-V was awarded a five-star rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and named a Top Safety Car Pick by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). The CR-V 2019 model scored five stars for the frontal crash test at 35mph and the side crash test. Further, it earned four-star in the rollover risk in loss-of-control instances. The lowest ratings were observed in its headlights. Its driver-assistance technologies include standard adaptive cruise control, standard lane-keeping and lane-departure warnings, and automated emergency brakes.

 

Ownership and Maintenance Costs

 

 

 

The Honda CV-R can be costly especially when owning the earliest models. Unexpected break-down issues have been experienced by some owners. In two separate car owners’ reviews, a car owner claimed the car broke down at 867 miles while in the other review at 6,000 miles. This can be frustrating and expensive. Having to take your car for servicing more than is expected affects Honda CR-V’s reliability in the economic sense. However, the CV-R is recognized for holding its value and therefore, can be one of the most affordable cars of its class compared to the competitors. The Edmund True Cost to Own of the Honda CRV stands at $33,306, which is significantly below the 2018 Nissan Rogue S and the 2018 Ford Escape SE 4WD.

 
 
 

Verdict

 

Overall, Honda CR-V has excellent market standings. It has value for money, a spacious interior, and a classy design. Many of its flaws are directed to visibility and mileage issues but besides that, most Honda CR-V owners praise it for its good performance, comfortability and safety.

adaptive cruise control, standard lane-keeping and lane-departure warnings, and automated emergency brakes.

 

Ownership and Maintenance Costs

 

 

 

The Honda CV-R can be costly especially when owning the earliest models. Unexpected break-down issues have been experienced by some owners. In two separate car owners’ reviews, a car owner claimed the car broke down at 867 miles while in the other review at 6,000 miles. This can be frustrating and expensive. Having to take your car for servicing more than is expected affects Honda CR-V’s reliability in the economic sense. However, the CV-R is recognized for holding its value and therefore, can be one of the most affordable cars of its class compared to the competitors. The Edmund True Cost to Own of the Honda CRV stands at $33,306, which is significantly below the 2018 Nissan Rogue S and the 2018 Ford Escape SE 4WD.

 
 
 

Verdict

 

Overall, Honda CR-V has excellent market standings. It has value for money, a spacious interior, and a classy design. Many of its flaws are directed to visibility and mileage issues but besides that, most Honda CR-V owners praise it for its good performance, comfortability and safety.

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