The Honda CR-V has been America’s best-selling SUV over the past 20 years. Since its U.S. launch in 1997, American car buyers have purchased nearly 4 million CR-Vs to date.
In order to maintain CR-V’s status as the outright benchmark in the highly popular compact SUV segment, Honda has launched the all-new, 5th-generation CR-V compact SUV in America. The completely redesigned and reengineered CR-V, boasts a bold new styling, a more premium interior, the model’s first-ever turbocharged engine and a host of new features and technologies.
Available in LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, the 2017 CR-Vs overall style is completely new with a crisp and sharp front-end design element, aggressive stylized headlights surrounded by a wing-shaped LED DRL array on all trims, and wide, muscular fenders. The long hood, longer wheelbase, short rear overhang and dual exhausts give the 2017 CR-V a more sophisticated and athletic presence.
The CR-V’s new windswept front end appearance includes signature Honda LED headlights (Touring trim), a Honda-first Active Shutter Grille that lowers aerodynamic drag, uprated aluminum alloy wheels (sizes 17 to 18 inches depending on trim) and narrower A-pillars for improved visibility.
For the first time ever, the Honda CR-V now comes with Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate, which allows opening and closing the tailgate with a foot activated sensor under the rear of the vehicle. Auto High Beam with High Beam Support (HSS) headlights, chrome garnishes, rain-sensing windshield wipers, roof-rails and numerous Genuine Honda Accessories are also available for the 2017 CR-V.
For the U.S. market, the 2017 CR-V in EX and higher trims will feature CR-V’s first ever turbocharged engine, a more powerful and fuel-efficient 1.5-litre DOHC, direct-injected and turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder powerplant that produces 190hp. Combined with the CR-V’s more aerodynamic body, the new turbocharged powerplant will garner the highest EPA fuel economy ratings in the compact SUV class, according to the Japanese automaker.
CR-V LX trims will be powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC, direct-injected i-VTEC engine, and both engines will be mated to a smooth shifting and sporty continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Honda G-Shift control logic. Honda will announce full detail specifications of the SUV when it goes on sale across U.S. dealership in December this year.
The 2017 CR-V now features a more spacious cabin, with top-in-class interior space and the best rear seat legroom in its class. There’s also upgraded materials throughout, including a new soft-touch instrument panel and more intricately stitched seats.
The centre of the dashboard houses a 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio interface with Android operating system that now features a physical volume knob as well as a new Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System developed in cooperation with Garmin. The CR-V ‘s Display Audio system is compatible with the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto platforms, giving customers seamless integration of key smartphone features and functions, including smartphone-powered GPS navigation and voice-controlled search capabilities.
Aside from that, some of the key new comfort and convenience features available on the 2017 Honda CR-V include remote engine start, dual-zone climate controls, heated side mirrors, an Electric Parking Brake (EPB), rear USB charging ports, front passenger seat with 4-way power adjustment and driver’s seat with 8-way power adjustment and 4-way power lumbar support and heated front seats.
In terms of safety, Honda Sensing – the company’s suite of safety features – is now standard on the EX trim and above, which accounts for 75% of CR-V sale. Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with low-speed follow and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). Additional new driver-assistive technologies include the available Blind Spot Information (BSI), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM) and Auto High Beam (HSS) headlights.
While the 2017 has yet to be crash-tested, utilizing Honda’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, the 2017 CR-V targets the highest available collision safety ratings, including an NCAP 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a SUPERIOR rating for frontal crash prevention when equipped with Honda Sensing.