Honda CR-V 2010 review: road test

Honda has put a lot of work into the exterior styling of the new CR-V. But with so many worthy competitors in the SUV category now, they needed to in order to hang onto its fans. The Honda CR-V range starts at $33,990 and tops out at $43,990.

Engine

The CRV base model is powered by a 2.4 litre DOHC in-line four cylinder engine that puts out 125kW of power at 5800rmp and 218Nm of torque at 4200rpm. A six-speed automatic or five-speed manual with grade logic control gets power to the wheels.   The SUV has a combined fuel economy figure of 10l/100km for both transmissions and it emits 237g/km of CO2, again for both automatic and manual.

Appearance and fit-out

Honda has improved the exterior of the CR-V since the last version. Smoother lines and well placed creases shift it into the stylish and refined SUV category.  Keyless entry, body coloured powered side mirrors come standard on the entry level model and the inside is stacked with standard features.

Air conditioning, cruise control, front seat armrests, a multi-function display, an MP3 compatible stereo and heaps of storage, make travelling in the CR-V a pleasure on trips of any length.  The 40/20/40 split-fold-and-slide rear seats are even heated for extra comfort. 

As well as a comprehensive airbag package, the Honda CRV entry level edition list of safety features includes anti lock brakes, child proof rear locks, electronic brake force distribution, an immobiliser system and Honda’s G-con technology.

Driving

Compared with Hyundai’s Santa Fe and the Subaru Forester, the first impression of the CR-Vs interior is ‘fuddy-duddy’, especially with the arm rests down. It looks more like a Smokey Dawson chair has been shoe-horned into the cockpit than the modern – young - interiors of the other two competitors.

Having said that, the seats are comfortable if a little flat, and the dash is uncluttered and easy to work out. But it’s just a bit old looking and we reasoned that given the glut of these types of cars that are available, Honda need to put more effort into interior styling.  The outside is definitely better than it was but Honda needs to pick up its game and come up with something a little edgier if it wants to remain a frontrunner.

Driving, as always in any Honda is smooth and refined with a perfectly mated transmission. Good torque across the rev range saved us from feeling nervous when merging and overtaking and there was enough poke for it to just scrape into the ‘zippy’ range.

Happily, the revised suspension in the new CR-V meant that we stayed pretty upright in corners and the grip was smarter than the previous model.
There was noticeable wind noise off the side mirrors, plus a bit of rumble up through the floor, especially when travelling at speed but our conversations weren’t interrupted by it.

With the back seats down it really does look like there is a tonne of room, and with the seats up five large adults fit nicely with room to spare.  Mechanically, Honda’s new CR-V is a very good car; it just isn’t the best looking thing getting around. And we think that could become a real problem in the not too distant future.