The Honda CR-V is a compact crossover that has been a leader in its segment for years and is now in its fourth generation. It’s America’s best-selling SUV for the past decade and was substantially refreshed for the 2015 model year. AS a result, the 2015 CR-V was named Motor Trend’s 2015 Sport/Utility of the Year.
So we knew we had a well-received vehicle on our hands when we tested the new CR-V recently for a week. We also had the all-new Touring trim model loaded with extra features like the leather interior and moonroof, and after a week in the vehicle, we can safely say it lived up to its reputation.
Exterior
The CR-V has a new look for the 2015 model, with a new front grille and available LED running lights among the many features. The end result is a sharp new look that should help keep the CR-V very competitive in what is now a very crowded segment. We liked the overall look of the vehicle and the prominent rear taillights add a distinctive look for this vehicle.
Interior
The interior of the CR-V has also been upgraded, with improved materials and softer textures where appropriate. This is particularly true in the Touring model we tested, which definitely had a luxury feel with the comfortable and slick leather seats, as well as the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Touring model sports a new 10-way power and heated driver’s seat that should be very popular. Our test drivers included a mom driving her kids around the city, and the reaction was very positive.
Honda has also added a new 7-inch touchscreen which can be paired up with Honda Link. This new touchscreen lets you swipe, tap and pinch as you would do on a tablet computer or smartphone to control the vehicle’s audio system, display settings and other features. We played around with the touchscreen and it was pretty easy to use, and naturally the kids loved it.
Performance
The CR-V gets a new 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine for 2015. It features the same horsepower as the last version at 185, but torque improves from 163 pound-feet to 181 pound-feet. Honda also switched the CR-V from a five-speed automatic transmission to a continuously variable transmission or CVT, which we discussed in our First Drive review. The CVT performs well and results in an improved driving experience with better responsiveness and acceleration.
Fuel economy also improved with 27 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel-drive version boasts 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg combined.
The CR-V has some impressive safety features with the Honda Sensing system that includes forward collision warning, collision mitigating braking system, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and Honda lane watch.
Overview
The compact crossover segment has exploded in popularity for many reasons, but one key is the amount of interior room you get for a compact vehicle. The CR-V is no exception, as there’s plenty of room for five adults in this vehicle. If you’re driving around with kids, it seems even bigger. Honda knows it needs to keep improving the CR-V to remain as one of the leaders in this category, and with this 2015 model, they have met that standard.
