New CR-V to Build on Honda Best-Selling Off-Roader Legend
Honda’s bigger, better all new CR-V grows inside, gains a huge trunk.
Honda offers the CR-V all over the world, but the compact SUV is particularly popular in the United States. The company does not mince its words about its faithful family mover either, boasting that it is “America’s best-selling off-road vehicle of the last quarter century.” Now moving into its sixth generation, the Honda CR-V will soon gain a larger, more mature look, along with a significantly larger and particularly generous trunk capacity.
New CR-V Designed to Satisfy US Tastes
Designed to satisfy American tastes, the new CR-V has clean lines from every perspective. Larger front and rear overhangs replace the uncertain predecessor’s somewhat passé design. The newcomer gets a longer and flatter hood atop a black grid grille with a proud Honda logo in the middle. A narrow metallic strip atop the dark grille links the angular, broad yet narrow LED headlights. A honeycomb bumper grille and chin guard sit below.
A strong shoulder line links the head and taillights, while wing mirrors move onto the side body. The taillights extend down from the roof spoiler, above a character line that brings a broader feel, depending on the model, the far more grown up, 2.5 inch longer, half-inch wider CR-V rides on either an inch and a half longer wheelbase, on 18 or 19-inch alloys.
Largest Cabin, Trunk Ever for New CR-V
All of which brings credence to Honda’s claims of “the largest interior and cargo space in CR-V history.” That record breaking luggage compartment has an unbelievable 36.3 cubic foot in its regular get-up. Which is up from under 20 cu ft in the outgoing model, by the way. That grows to 39.3 cu ft with the loading floor lowered and to a gargantuan 76.5 cubic food with the eight-way adjustable rear seats folded down. There is no news yet of a seven-seater version.
Depending on equipment levels, a a seven or nine-inch tablet-like display compliments the new CR-V’s Civic-like seven-inch digital cockpit dials. Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility is standard. A metal climate control grille runs across the width of the dash to mask the centrally controlled climate system’s ventilation nozzles. The center console gains a nine-liter storage compartment.
Hybrid and Gas Options Coming
The hybrid Honda CR-Vs comes with a version of the Fit’s petrol-electric drive. Delivering a 207 HP and a maximum of 247 lb.-ft, the four-cylinder Atkinson cycle gas engine coupled to a pair of electric motors. One sits up front and the other is on the rear axle. The hybrid offers the three eco, normal and snow driving settings, as well as a sport mode. A 193 HP 180 lb.-ft pure combustion gas alternative gets a CVT transmission.
The Honda CR-V will not be available as a purely electric car, but a mechanical all-wheel drive option will be available for all engine and trim levels and standard on the partially electric flagship Sport Touring model.
New CR-V Gets Updated Driver Assistance Too
Honda’s Sensing Suite gains a wide-angle camera with a 120-degree field of view and a medium-wave radar. That improves emergency braking and collision avoidance. Add standard blind spot warning, a traffic jam and fatigue assistant, traffic sign recognition and uprated adaptive cruise control. There’s also lane departure warning and the ability to follow the vehicle ahead at low speed. CR-V monitors the rear seats and warns the driver if someone is left behind.
The gas-powered new Honda CR-V arrives in North America this summer with the hybrid version to follow later in the year. Pricing is still to be confirmed. Overseas sales will follow in 2023.
Pictures: Honda
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