Honda CR-V 2.4 2WD i-VTEC Sunroof Review: A new sense of maturity

What we like:

Remarkably car-like to drive

utility

quality

Honda dependability

smooth engine and gearbox

well-equipped

refinement

What we dislike:

Engine lacks torque

not exactly affordable to many

Inside, the new CR-V is no less spacious than its predecessor despite the marginally smaller exterior dimensions. The dashboard doesn’t look as space age as the one in the current Civic but it is no less effective. The driver is spoilt by electrical adjustments for the seat in the 2.4 model and together with the highly adjustable steering column, offer a wide variety of driving positions for all shapes and sizes. Like in the recently launched Civic, the CR-V features a high mounted i-MID LCD multi-function display as standard. The screen shows info like trip computer readings as well as settings for the stereo and so on.

Versatility is another virtue of the CR-V’s interior. Storage spaces are in abundance – there is a large glove compartment on the dash as well as large door bins and a nice, well-shaped storage space in between the front seats. At the rear, passengers will enjoy good amounts of head and legroom, so there’s nothing to complain about on long journeys. The boot is huge and well-shaped. The spare wheel resides underneath the floor though so there’s no under floor storage space. The load area can be expanded by pulling just a lever from either in the boot area or next to the rear seat bench – hugely convenient and a rather thoughtful feature indeed. Overall perceived quality levels are high, with no cost cutting measures in evidence like in the recently launched Civic.

The standard equipment list is pretty long for the 2.4 model tested here. You get as standard HID headlamps, auto wipers, electric adjustments on the driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, electric sunroof, factory stereo with iPod connectivity and fingertip controls, cruise control, leather, sat nav, Bluetooth handsfree, keyless operation, 17-inch alloys, front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, VSA vehicle stability control system and so on.

The new CR-V isn’t exactly a quantum leap ahead of its hugely popular predecessor. What Honda has did with the new model was to further refine the previous model to make the new one an even more versatile and well thought out practical and family oriented SUV.

Credits: Story and Photos by Raymond Lai