Honda calls the CR-V the most popular SUV in the last quarter of the century, at least in the US. In this market, the Japanese “SUV” competes with the fifth generation Toyota RAV4 and lost in sales last year. Honda engineers relied on a hybrid this time.
Thus, it is the fourth-generation twin-engine hybrid electric transmission that the developers call the main achievement of the new CR-V. The company expects it
Transitions with an economical power plant will account for almost half of all sales of new products.
The two electric motors are paired with a 2.0-liter Atkinson fuel-efficient (extended piston stroke) petrol engine with direct fuel injection. Moreover, the electric motors are now mounted almost close to each other. This configuration made it possible to increase the volume of the engine, which had a positive effect on the torque, which Honda was especially proud of.
The CR-V is available in four trim levels, with Sport and Sport Touring hybrid versions being featured. The total power of the electric power plant reached 207 hp, the peak torque increased to 335 Nm, the hybrid engine in the previous generation CR-V produced 215 hp. and 315 Nm.
The Japanese say the twin-engine version performs particularly well on the highway.
The towing capacity of the CR-V reached 453 kg for the first time.
Base machines feature a modified 1.5-liter turbo engine with 193 hp, paired with a CVT, under the hood. Thanks to a new turbocharger and technical improvements, it is able to maintain maximum power over a wider rev range and
maximum torque occurs at 1700-5000 rpm (243 Nm), which improves the response to pressing the accelerator pedal.
Honda engineers also worked on the CVT to reduce noise and vibration. Now the CVT is programmed to simulate gear changes. All-wheel drive is available for all trim levels and is included by default on the most expensive version. The system can transmit up to half of the torque to the rear wheels.
Honda says the new model is the first to introduce the new design concept – a low, horizontal waistline combined with a longer front end. When developing the car, the designers focused on the appearance of two other models of the brand –
pickup truck Honda Ridgeline and large SUV Passport TrailSport.
In terms of dimensions, the CR-V crossover has become longer and wider, the torsional rigidity of the body has increased by 15%, which contributes to better handling and handling. The visibility of the model has increased due to the backward shifting of the A-pillars and the change in the shape and fit of the side mirrors. In the basic version, 18-inch wheels are installed, and in the maximum configuration, 19-inch wheels are offered.
Among the advantages, the Japanese noted the largest luggage compartment in the history of the model – 1028 liters.
When the rear seat backrests are folded down, the luggage volume is doubled. For the comfort of the driver and front passenger, meet the “balancer seats” that should reduce fatigue and maintain posture. The armrest hides a nine-liter compartment – the largest in its class.
The multimedia system focuses on the driver, by default the CR-V has a 7-inch touchscreen, and the more expensive trim levels have a 9-inch tablet with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The audio system is tuned to provide clear and immersive sound for all passengers, regardless of sitting position, with the help of 12 Bose speakers with digital signal processing technology.
The company said it aims to win the highest award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with the crossover. The CR-V features new driver and front passenger airbags designed to reduce the risk of serious brain damage in frontal crashes.
Therefore, the airbag working for the driver is a kind of donut to hold the head. and the passenger airbag use a three-chamber design. For the first time in the CR-V, standard knee airbags and side airbags are available for second row passengers.
CR-V sensors now monitor the driver and issue an alert in the instrument cluster if it senses distraction. In addition, the CR-V owner will be constantly reminded before getting out of the vehicle to check the back seat to make sure they don’t forget a child or pet.
The suite of safety technologies also includes a wide-angle camera and millimeter wave radar that help more accurately track objects on the roads to avoid collisions. Blind spot monitoring comes standard and for the first time the CR-V can assist the driver in traffic jams and recognize traffic signs. The complex is rounded off by adaptive cruise control and lane keeping.
Will the Honda CR-V come to Russia?
The CR-V model was officially introduced to the Russian market from the beginning of the 2000s. If in the most successful times the number of cars sold per year reached 30 thousand copies, then in recent years the volume of registered cars has been in the hundreds.
Honda has minimized its presence in the Russian Federation since 2016, and announced a curtailment of its passenger car business and sales in the country in 2021. Now dealerships have the right to supply the cars on their own, although they sell the remnants of the fifth generation CR-V. At the official dealer center of the MAS Motors brand In an interview with a socialbites.ca correspondent, they announced their plans to import the sixth-generation Honda CR-V into the Russian market.
The new CR-V for the US market will be produced at three plants in North America in Ohio, Indiana and Canada. Car sales should start before the fall, while prices will be announced.