New
front fascia styling, including projector headlamps with LED daytime running
lights, highlights the CR-V's 2015 styling changes. | September 29, 2014
Published: 09/30/2014 - by Josh Jacquot,
Quick Summary
Honda's CR-V is already known for its efficiency and utility and the 2015 CR-V enhances those qualities. The refreshed 2015 Honda CR-V gets a new engine and transmission aimed at further improving efficiency plus new safety, comfort and convenience features. If you're shopping for a top-shelf compact SUV, the CR-V remains one of your best bets.
Honda's CR-V is already known for its efficiency and utility and the 2015 CR-V enhances those qualities. The refreshed 2015 Honda CR-V gets a new engine and transmission aimed at further improving efficiency plus new safety, comfort and convenience features. If you're shopping for a top-shelf compact SUV, the CR-V remains one of your best bets.
What Is It?
The 2015 Honda CR-V is a five-passenger compact SUV. It was all-new in 2012, but is significantly refreshed for the 2015 model year. It will be on sale beginning October 1.
The 2015 Honda CR-V is a five-passenger compact SUV. It was all-new in 2012, but is significantly refreshed for the 2015 model year. It will be on sale beginning October 1.
Only one engine and transmission combination is
available. It consists of a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a
continuously variable transmission (CVT). The engine features direct injection
for increased efficiency. It still puts out 185 horsepower, but torque
increases 18 pound-feet to 181 lb-ft. Power is routed to the front wheels on
standard models with all-wheel drive as an option.
There are now four trim levels available starting
with the base LX. From there you step up to the midlevel EX and then the EX-L.
New for 2015 is the top-of-the-line CR-V Touring, which features things like
18-inch wheels and a power rear lift gate among its many features.
How Does It Drive?
You'll need to drive the 2014 and 2015 model CR-Vs back-to-back to observe any significant dynamic difference between the two. Response to throttle inputs is marginally better in the 2015 model, but it comes at the expense of any direct connection between engine and wheel speed thanks to the new CVT.
You'll need to drive the 2014 and 2015 model CR-Vs back-to-back to observe any significant dynamic difference between the two. Response to throttle inputs is marginally better in the 2015 model, but it comes at the expense of any direct connection between engine and wheel speed thanks to the new CVT.
From a driver's perspective the biggest advantage
the CVT offers is a Sport mode, which enables snappier reactions to throttle
inputs. Engine braking is available in the "L" setting, but this
transmission still lacks the feel and control of a traditional automatic like
you'll find in the Toyota RAV4 or Mazda CX-5.
Even so, most drivers won't complain about the
CR-V's abilities. Its acceleration is adequate and its handling is typically
Honda — benign and easy to manage. Steering weight is relatively light but
presents predictable and intuitive feedback.
Retuned spring and damper settings do little to
change the CR-V's family-friendly character on the road. Few will find its ride
disagreeable — even when fitted with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels.
What Kind of Fuel Economy Does It Deliver?
Overall fuel economy increases significantly over last year's CR-V. And since Honda was already near the top of the segment, a few more mpg lets it make the claim to lead the class in this category.
Overall fuel economy increases significantly over last year's CR-V. And since Honda was already near the top of the segment, a few more mpg lets it make the claim to lead the class in this category.
EX AWD models (the volume leader) increase from 25
mpg combined (22 city/30 highway) to an estimated 28 combined (26 city/33
highway). All front-drive models should earn 29 mpg combined.
How Safe Is It?
Significant structural changes were made to the 2015 Honda CR-V's chassis to enhance performance in small overlap frontal collisions — the only test where the 2014 model didn't get a "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Significant structural changes were made to the 2015 Honda CR-V's chassis to enhance performance in small overlap frontal collisions — the only test where the 2014 model didn't get a "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The federal government gives the 2014 model a
five-star overall rating for crash performance. Honda anticipates that the 2015
CR-V will earn another five-star rating from NHTSA and is aiming for a Top
Safety Pick Plus ranking from the IIHS.
A rearview camera is standard on all trims, but the
advanced safety features — Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation
Braking and Lane Departure Warning are only available on the Touring trim. Lane
Watch, which displays the rear-quarter view of the passenger side on the
dash-mounted screen, is standard on EX and higher trims. Though it's been
around the Honda line for a few years, this feature is new to the CR-V. It's activated
by the right turn signal.
Other new safety/convenience features include a
lane-keeping assist with active correction and adaptive cruise control.
What's New Inside?
Short of a redesigned center console, little is changed inside the CR-V. An armrest is now incorporated into the design and the sliding lid covering the cupholders is eliminated in favor of a shape which just happens to perfectly hold an iPad. Underneath the hinged armrest is an HDMI port and two USB outlets (EX trims and higher). Two 12-volt outlets are also available.
Short of a redesigned center console, little is changed inside the CR-V. An armrest is now incorporated into the design and the sliding lid covering the cupholders is eliminated in favor of a shape which just happens to perfectly hold an iPad. Underneath the hinged armrest is an HDMI port and two USB outlets (EX trims and higher). Two 12-volt outlets are also available.
Otherwise, interior space remains essentially the
same. Honda does a superb job giving passengers a genuinely roomy interior with
an airy feel. Pillars are pushed out, headroom is ample and even big folks fit
in the back.
The CR-V remains near the top of the segment for
cargo space and adds convenient features like the ability to drop its
split-folding second-row seatbacks via handles in the cargo area. The seatbacks
don't fold completely flat, however.
How Much Does Pricing Change?
Overall pricing remains relatively stable with a front-drive LX model starting about $24,000. Small increases are justified by additional equipment, however.
Overall pricing remains relatively stable with a front-drive LX model starting about $24,000. Small increases are justified by additional equipment, however.
For an extra $200 the volume-selling EX trim adds
the most value: a power driver seat, keyless entry and start, display audio,
lane watch, heated seats, rear vents and a sliding sun visor. A
similar value increase exists at the EX-L level though the same money gets you
only rear vents and a sliding sun visor over the LX trim.
The newly available Touring trim starts at $33,600.
What Are Its Closest Competitors?
There are an abundance of solid choices in the small-SUV segment and Toyota's RAV4 is among them. It's available with a six-speed automatic transmission in front- or all-wheel drive and supplies nearly the same cargo space as the CR-V. It's also available with a locking center differential to enhance off-road capability.
There are an abundance of solid choices in the small-SUV segment and Toyota's RAV4 is among them. It's available with a six-speed automatic transmission in front- or all-wheel drive and supplies nearly the same cargo space as the CR-V. It's also available with a locking center differential to enhance off-road capability.
Nissan's Rogue was redesigned for 2014 and offers
either a third row or a flexible cargo area with movable shelving. It offers
the same combined mpg rating as the CR-V and also comes only with a
continuously variable transmission in front- or all-wheel drive.
If you're looking for more engine options, Ford's Escape offers three. And Mazda's
CX-5 is undeniably the most enjoyable of the group to drive.
Why Should You Consider This SUV?
The Honda CR-V delivers all the elements of a compact SUV shoppers are looking for: efficiency, flexibility, value and comfort. The upgrades to the 2015 model further enhance those traits while giving it a more modern look on the outside. The 2014 model earned an "A" rating in our testing and the 2015 model, it seems, will score equally well.
The Honda CR-V delivers all the elements of a compact SUV shoppers are looking for: efficiency, flexibility, value and comfort. The upgrades to the 2015 model further enhance those traits while giving it a more modern look on the outside. The 2014 model earned an "A" rating in our testing and the 2015 model, it seems, will score equally well.
Why Should You Think Twice About this SUV?
Some shoppers don't like the feel of continuously variable transmissions. Now that it's the only choice in the CR-V you should take a test-drive to see for yourself. Also, if you prefer to have power to spare, the standard four-cylinder in the CR-V might come up short.
Some shoppers don't like the feel of continuously variable transmissions. Now that it's the only choice in the CR-V you should take a test-drive to see for yourself. Also, if you prefer to have power to spare, the standard four-cylinder in the CR-V might come up short.
The
manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
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