2018 Honda CR-V Review
Car Tested: 2018 Honda CR-V; Road Test No. 993; Test Location: Jaipur
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 30 – 34 lakhs (est.)
The new Honda CR-V packs in a lot of potential, especially the diesel variant
Owning a petrol powered SUV may seem bizarre in the current scenario. Petrol prices are at a record high but even back then, it was still not considered to be a good idea. However, going back to when Honda launched the CR-V in India, through the 3 generations, it did find a lot of takers. Based on the CR-V’s success, Maruti got the Vitara but it bombed quite miserably. Now Honda is back with the 5th generation CR-V and they are hoping it can create a buzz similar to what the Civic created in 2005. But things seem to be going well for Honda as the CR-V finally gets what Indians really love…a diesel engine and 7 seats.
Motor Quest: The Honda CR-V came to India in its second generation and since then, Honda has sold all subsequent generations of CR-Vs in India. Globally the CR-V is the second highest selling Honda nameplate having sold more than 9.9 million vehicles over the generations.
The CR-V has grown in dimensions over the previous car
Exteriors – The CR-V’s design cues are very evolutionary with Honda carrying forward the same design DNA. It looks more aggressive and sporty and has the typical SUV stance. It is now 47 mm longer, 4 mm taller and has a 40 mm longer wheelbase as compared to the previous generation model. The front end is now sharper and gets LED headlamps with LED turn signals & LED fog lamps. The front grille has good use of chrome while the flared wheel arches, long hood, longer wheelbase and short rear overhangs give the CR-V a very upmarket presence. The Volvo inspired tail lamps blend well into the rear profile while the chunky 18-inch alloys and the panoramic sunroof add a premium touch.
The quality of interior materials is very good
Interiors – Honda has taken the interiors a notch above in this generation model. Quality of materials and the attention to detail is spot on. The wooden garnish too looks quite pleasant. The front seats offer good amount of support and feel comfortable over long drives. The middle seat is wide and also gets a recline option but under thigh support and headroom is just average, especially for tall passengers. The panoramic sunroof further eats away the headroom. Both front and middle rows over ample amount of legroom.
The petrol variant doesn’t get a 7-seater option
The cabin is quite practical in terms of storage spaces and gets good features
The 3rd row is only available in the diesel variants. The petrol version misses on the third row of seats and roof mounted AC vents. This row of seats is strictly for children as there is barely any legroom to sit in comfort. Besides, when the last row of seats are upright, there is barely any luggage room in the boot. It is best to assume that the CR-V is a 5-seater with occasional 7-seater usability. On the upside, the middle and last row can be folded flat when carrying luggage is a priority.
The seats can be folded to increase cargo capacity
The petrol variant uses the standard stick shifter while the cabin of the diesel looks more minimalistic due to the absence of the stick shifter. The diesel variant uses shift-by-wire technology which uses buttons to select the gears. Honda has loaded the CR-V with a lot of features and driver assists. You now have a TFT Mid Meter, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system which gets Apple Car Play and Android Auto, rear AC for the 7-seater variants, segment first electronic parking brake and brake hold, 8-way electrically adjustable driver seat, dual zone automatic climate control, remote operation of windows and sunroof, multi-angle reversing camera, keyless entry & lane watch.
The CR-V gets a diesel engine for the first time in India
Performance – The CR-V comes with both petrol and diesel engine options. The gasoline powered 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine churns 154 PS of power at 6500 RPM and 189 NM torque at 4300 RPM. This is mated to a CVT transmission. This engine channels power to the front wheels and returns 14.4 km/l as per ARAI standards. This engine will be the engine of choice for the niche crowd who prefers refinement over anything else. Power delivery is linear but the punch lies in the mid and high end of the rev band. However, being a CVT, there is considerable rubber band effect.
The petrol engine gets only 2WD
The 1.6-litre diesel engine offers a blend of driveability & efficiency
For the first time in India, the CR-V will get an all-new 1.6-litre diesel engine. This engine produces 120 PS of power at 4000 RPM and 300 Nm of twisting force at 2000 RPM. The diesel variant will be available in both 2WD & 4WD formats. Mated to this engine is a brand new 9-speed automatic transmission which shines both at low and high speeds. The lower ratios assist in a quick and powerful launch while the higher ratios reduce the engine speed while cruising returning best in class ARAI fuel efficiency figures of 19.5 km/l for the 2WD and 18.3 km/l for the 4WD variant. Low end is punchy and performance is very linear but it feels a tad sluggish when you floor the throttle on the highway. However, 120 PS is rather a low power figure compared to what the competition offers in the segment. NVH levels are exceptional in both the petrol and diesel variants. Not only has refinement improved, even the cabin quietness has gone up.
The CR-V has been tuned for ease of use
Driving Dynamics – The CR-V is an urban SUV hence the steering has been tuned towards comfort. Therefore it is light at slow speeds but weighs up well at high speeds. In the city this a boon as the light steering makes manoeuvrability easy. Still this EPS doesn’t offer the feel and feedback you would like at high speeds. Body-roll is well contained and this SUV feels well planted at high speeds. The rigid chassis improves the handling characteristics at high speeds but it is not meant for corner craving.
The CR-V boasts of good ride quality
Ride quality has seen an improvement over the previous generation. The cabin is well insulated from undulating surfaces at both high and low speeds. Low speed ride is much better and the rear passengers had good things to say about the ride dynamics. The real time AWD channels power to the rear wheels when it detects low traction, else for most of the times, this SUV drives from the front wheels. The brakes render good bite and stopping power.
The Honda CR-V is likely to be a very trouble-free car to own
Safety and After Sales Service – Safety features include 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, Hill Start assist, Agile Handle Assist, vehicle stability assist with traction control, driver attention monitor and ISOFIX Child Seat mounts. In terms of service, as we all know Honda has a good network across the country and in general customers have had pleasant experiences with the automaker.
The diesel CR-V makes a lot of sense for someone wanting a reliable urban SUV
Verdict – The new Honda CR-V has a lot to offer for the Urban SUV buyer. It looks the part and has great build quality in and out. The interiors are well laid with some great attention to detail. Both petrol and diesel engines perform well but, even though it’s low on power, we loved the diesel for its drivability and fuel efficiency. However the Honda CR-V is still not an ideal 7 seater but a great option to consider if you are looking for the swag of an SUV with sedan like driving dynamics.
The EarthDreams diesel engine is very fuel efficient
What’s Cool
* Interior quality
* Diesel power for the first time
* Sedan like dynamics
* Fuel Economy (Diesel)
What’s Not So Cool
* Limited 7-seater usability
* Small boot with 7-seats upright
* Diesel could have produced more power
* Even with 4WD, still not a true blue SUV
Alternatives: Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass
The CR-V looks quite butch and tough
2018 Honda CR-V Specifications
* Engine: 1997cc i-VTEC | 1597cc i-DTEC
* Power: 154 PS @ 6500 RPM | 120 PS @ 4000 RPM
* Torque: 189 Nm @ 4300 RPM | 300 Nm @ 2000 RPM
* Transmission: CVT | 9-Speed AT
* Fuel Type: Petrol | Diesel
* Fuel Efficiency: 7 km/l (P), 10-11 km/l (D 4WD), 11-13 km/l (D 2WD)
* Suspension: McPherson Strut (Front), Torsion Bar (Rear)
* Tyre Size: 235/60/18 (Front and Rear)
* Brakes: Discs (Front), Discs (Rear), ABS
* Safety: Airbags, ABS, EBD, Hill Hold, Traction Control, ISOFIX
2018 Honda CR-V Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4592 mm X 1855 mm X 1689 mm
* Boot Space: Petrol – 522-litres; 1084-litres (2nd row fold); Diesel – 150-litres; 472-litres (3rd row fold); 936-litres (2nd & 3rd row fold)
* Wheelbase: 2660 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 57-litres
* Turning Radius: 5.5-metres
* Seating Capacity: 5 (Petrol), 7 (Diesel)
Would you buy a CR-V over a Kodiaq or Tucson?
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