The Hindu Business Line : New Honda CR-V: SUV ride, sedan feel

The second generation CR-V has just been replaced by an all-new model that is clearly more masculine and visually larger. The new CR-V is a vehicle with SUV underpinnings that has been designed to look, feel and drive very much like a sedan.

In India, Honda has managed to cling on to the leadership position in pretty much every segment that it has a presence in. The CR-V is just one of the vehicles from Honda that has taken on the competition successfully.

In the premium compact sports utility vehicles segment, the competition that the CR-V has had to face was not only from those that were petrol driven, like the Nissan X-Trail, but also from the diesel-powered ones such as the Hyundai Tucson. More important, the vehicles in this segment, including the CR-V, always had to, and will continue to, face competition from luxury sedans in the Rs 15-20 lakh price category.

The second generation CR-V, which was available till earlier this month, was a no-nonsense compact utility that had Honda's trademark characteristics written all over it. Traits such as a conservative design, class-leading fuel efficiency, practical features and just enough performance to please the buyer in this segment had all contributed to keeping the vehicle at the top in this category.

Honda was a relative latecomer to the SUV party. But despite having only about a decade of experience in the segment, Honda had managed to sell over 2.5 million units of the CR-V in some 160 countries since its launch. The second generation CR-V has just been replaced by an all-new model and it is much more of a crossover type vehicle, than just the compact SUV that was its predecessor's claim to fame.

Old and the new

The previous CR-V's design was boxier and as a result the vehicle didn't have the kind of road presence that the new generation model has. Even as the new CR-V's design is dramatically different from the older version, Honda has carefully retained some of the vehicle's signature lines, so that the new one is still instantly recognisable.

From a design standpoint, the new third generation CR-V is clearly more masculine, visually larger and deceptively sedan-like both to look at and drive. If the earlier generation CR-V was a compact SUV with just sedan-style interiors, the new, third generation, CR-V is a vehicle with SUV underpinnings that has been designed to look, feel and drive very much like a sedan.

Compared to the rather straightforward, unadventurous looks of the earlier generation, the new CR-V oozes aggression. Large trapezium-shaped headlamps with twin projector lights grab the onlooker's attention at the front. The headlamps are shaped to flow along and merge into a second bonnet grille that is positioned just below the first one. The headlamps at the two edges of the double bonnet grille seem to give the CR-V a smiling front-end.

The second bonnet grille cuts into the oversized front bumper. Moulded plastic cladding that accentuates the pout of the CR-V's front bumper runs along the length of the vehicle, around the deep, muscular wheel arches and climbs up onto the rear fender. The cladding is really the only obvious reference to the new CR-V's sports utility classification.

The front three-quarter and the side views are the most impressive angles from which you can appreciate this new Honda. The sedan-style design of the new CR-V is even more apparent from swooping design of the side glass area. Despite the more geometric, straight-line design of the roof, the new CR-V's sedan-style curved design of the front and rear window glass and rear quarter glass area further highlight the vehicle's crossover design.

The blacked out centre pillar and chrome lipping that lines the glass area on either side of the CR-V does even more to draw attention away from the SUV-style roof. Other highlights at the side of the new CR-V are luxurious grab type door handles and chunky outside rear view mirrors with in-built turn indicators.

Sedan in SUV clothing

The new CR-V's rear is different from its predecessor's, but is still very recognisable. The same Minaret-style, vertical tail lamps adorn the rear of the new version too. Only, this time around the glass curves deeper inward as it travels up to the roof and it is also thicker as it meets the rear bumper.

Two important changes at the rear of the new CR-V again add to its estate or sedan style design. One is the absence of the spare wheel on the outside of rear door. The spare wheel is now stowed under the boot floor inside the vehicle. Two, the new CR-V's rear door is not hinged at the side as was the case with the outgoing version. This time around the rear door is top-hinged hatch-style. This has made the rear look more like a crossover's and lends the vehicle a more contemporary rear profile. Only trouble in crowded Indian conditions could be the deep angle of opening for the hatch door.

The reason for the new CR-V's design being reminiscent of an estate/sedan is not just what meets the eye. Under the body panels, the new CR-V shares the same platform, which the Civic is based on. Further, in true urban SUV style, the new CR-V's A-pillar has been moved forward by 150mm, giving it the cab-forward, nearly `monoform' design. Even as the ground clearance of this vehicle has been maintained at the same level, the centre of gravity has been lowered to provide a more sure-footed drive and responsive handling.

The new CR-V is also wider and with the use of large diameter tyres and 17-inch alloy wheels, the vehicle offers more comfortable interior space and a lively chassis and design combo.

Honda also says that the new CR-V's body and chassis rigidity has been increased throughout with the use of strong, but lightweight high-tensile steel along with tailored blank welds in key areas. This has resulted in weight savings that has kept the total weight of this bigger vehicle on a par with its predecessor. Honda has also used a combination of steel plates of varying thickness and new age materials to keep down the transfer of vibrations into the passenger cabin.

Plush interiors

Inside the new CR-V, the concept of a crossover is carried forward further, with the use of extremely plush, high quality materials and a user-friendly layout. The CR-V was always a five-seater and the new one continues to be the same. But the dual-tone colour theme, the ergonomic layout, premium features and up market dashboard are all there to give the passenger the feel of riding in a luxury sedan.

The steering wheel, very Civic-like is adjustable for tilt and rake, driver's seat features 8-way power adjustment, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning is standard and in the slot, which would have featured a GPS screen in other markets, is a music system with a six-CD changer. Leather seating is standard and the seats are comfortable even in the second row and are perfect for long drives. Rotary controls and other electricals are all in the luxury sedan league.

The twin circular instrument cluster also features an interesting electronic LCD display that offers a read out of key information and operating parameters such as the trip meter, fuel gauge, engine temperature, distance to empty, average fuel consumption and a door ajar warning. The circular analog gauges feature the engine rpm meter and speedo.

One of the most novel features of the new generation CR-V is the positioning of the gearshift stick. The new CR-V comes with a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic transmission. Unlike in other vehicles, where the shift stick literally sticks out of the floor, in the new CR-V the gear lever is positioned high up and right next to the aircon controls on the dashboard.

This still gives you the feel of it being on the floor and though initially the reach may seem a bit awkward, after a while, it actually feels more convenient.

The rear seat offers two-way manual adjustment for increased legroom. It is also the double folding kind to help increase boot space. The boot area also features a parcel tray that can hold up to 10 kg, effectively offering a dual layered storage area. Other convenience features in the new CR-V include a centre console between the driver and front passenger to store CDs, a large-sized rear armrest with two integrated cup holders, map lights and blue LED ambient lighting, external audio port, sunglass holder, conversation mirror, dual glove box and audio controls on the steering wheel.

Engine and gearbox

Honda has chosen the same 2.4-litre DOHC, i-VTEC engine that powers the Accord sedan for the CR-V too. This engine represents a fine balance of power and torque, but has been retuned for the CR-V. Featuring Honda's original variable valve timing and lift electronic control technology (VTEC), it has been supplemented with a torque-boosting resonator for optimum intake ram effect and a drive-by-wire throttle.

The engine now spits out a maximum output of 161 PS at 5,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 218 Nm at 4,200 rpm. This powerplant is now offered with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Honda has chosen a six-speed manual to reduce engine speed at high vehicle speeds, thereby cutting down noise and vibration.

The auto transmission features grade logic control for gear selection. Though this can lead at times to what may seem like a hesitant shift into a higher or lower slot, the essential function of this transmission is to ensure optimum fuel efficiency even as performance is not compromised. The auto gear stick also features a D3 selection, in addition to the usual two drive modes, that allows for engine braking while driving down inclines.

Unlike some of the other fancier crossovers, the CR-V is not really built for full-blooded off-roading. Even its approach and departure angles are indicative of its relative inability to tackle the rocks. But, it can be quite capable on tarmac and its performance is bolstered with the help of real-time 4WD (four-wheel drive).

Real-time 4WD works quietly, unobtrusively and operates mainly in the front two wheels during regular driving, and only engages to distribute power to the real wheels when slippery conditions lead to loss of traction in those wheels.

Ride and Safety

The suspension set-up in the new CR-V features McPherson struts at the front and double-wishbone suspension at the rear for improved lateral rigidity and low road noise.

There is considerable feedback from the wider tyres and though the rear suspension is well sorted for black top roads, the ride does tend to get a bit uneasy on bad patches. Noise and vibrations have been well contained and the new CR-V's cabin noise levels are amazingly low.

For the new CR-V, Honda has also ensured that there has been extra stiffening done throughout the body and chassis. Ride quality is sedan-like and superb, with excellent straight-line stability at high speeds being very unlike an SUV. Our test dive of the new CR-V along the winding East Coast Road frequently saw the speedo needle cross the 160 kmph mark.

The vehicle showed no signs of being under strain and body roll was barely evident. The new CR-V hugged the road all through with new confidence and tackled tight turns with confidencegusto.

For safety Honda has given the new CR-V, its ACE (advanced compatibility engineering) body and G-Force control technology (G-CON) body structure, dual front airbags and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution. Despite the fact that the new CR-V lacks a few of the other safety features, such as side curtain airbags, which may be standard in other markets, the passenger in the CR-V should feel as safe as a porcupine in a nudist's colony.

Positioning

Honda claims that the new CR-V has been launched after considerable research into what the buyer in this category wants, including the ones that bought the previous generation model. The first observation from that study apparently is that most CR-V owners drive the vehicle themselves for most of the time. This and some of the other observations that came up have been the reason why a few of the premium, but also expensive, features have been kept out of the India-spec model.

The trim options that Honda offers in the new CR-V are also zilch, except for the choice of manual or automatic transmission. But that was the case when the Civic sedan was launched and it does not seem to have deterred buyers from queuing up in front of Honda showrooms.

The new CR-V is priced at Rs 17.7 lakh for the manual and Rs 18.4 lakh for the automatic (both ex-showroom, Delhi). The price tag is higher compared to the previous generation model, but considering that the new CR-V is a completely imported unit and comparing its price in markets such as the US, it still is competitive.