In 2004, Honda introduced the second-generation CR-V in India. Honda sort of pioneered the soft-roader movement in the country with the CR-V by giving us an absolutely new kind of a vehicle. The CR-V brought the best of both car and SUV worlds as its core ingredients and Indians loved this blend. Although the CR-V carried a hefty price tag (it was a CBU), it had respectable sales figures during its initial tenure. The lack of a diesel motor option however saw the sales of the CR-V dip in the diesel favouring Indian market.
With the fourth generation CR-V being assembled in India, it’s now being offered at a substantially cheaper Rs 19.95 lakh price tag for the 2.0 litre manual model we tested. Moreover, considering the diminishing price disbalance between petrol and diesel, the lack of a diesel motor is becoming less of a deterrent for buyers.
INTERIOR
Surprisingly, the new CR-V's interiors seem to be less sophisticated than the outgoing one. While the older car had a fine blend of textures and materials such as the finely dimpled dashboard coupled with the metal finished accents, the new CR-V’s dashboard has an unstinting dose of hard plastics in black hues. Although well engineered, consumers would definitely expect better quality interiors at this price point. While there are bits that look dated, there are others that have a crisp, modern feel to them. Flanking the large speedo is a ‘glow-green tree meter’ which is illuminated in green when you drive economically.
Like most Hondas, the CR-V's buttons operate with a nice click. There is substantial improvement in the interiors. Up front, the seats offer better under-thigh support and finding a good driving position is easy with the eight-way electrically powered seat and a steering wheel that is rake and telescopically adjustable.
Despite the physically smaller dimensions, there is more all-round space. There are a lot of useful storage spaces owing to clever use of door pockets and armrests. However, unlike the older car, the lack of open space between the seats and centre console restricts some storage options. Although you get three cupholders instead of the earlier two, the storage box isn’t as deep as before. Similarly, unique bits like the useful twin glovebox and ‘conversation mirror’ are missing. But, an additional 12-volt socket in the new CR-V’s storage box makes up for it.
Also, the rear seat and boot have been reworked, making ingress and egress easier and providing better under thigh support. The CR-V offers loads of legroom all around and further improving practicality, the cargo loading area is now at approximately knee height, making it more convenient to load heavy luggage.
PERFOMANCE
The car we tested had the same motor as the old car; but this engine has been reworked for more flexibility. This motor has a good deal of useable power that starts as low as 1200rpm, and from there on, it just pulls seamlessly to the 6800rpm redline. In fact, we found this 2.0-litre engine to be on par with the previous 2.4-litre in terms of performance. What makes this engine even more delightful is that, past 3500rpm, it has an aggressive and sporty soundtrack and even though it’s a tad loud, you don’t mind the volume. Further, in traditional Honda fashion, the slick six-speed manual gearbox has well-spaced ratios that while being a joy to flick through, also extracts the best from this engine. Flat-out performance is quite strong for a car with these dimensions. 100kph comes up in just 10.72 seconds. Thanks to the motor’s broad powerband, the CR-V rarely feels bogged down and its in-gear times reflect this.
The real forte of this motor is the excellent drivability it offers, which is what really matters in everyday conditions. This just might be one of the best naturally aspirated four-cylinder units around.
Despite the physically smaller dimensions, there is more all-round space. There are a lot of useful storage spaces owing to clever use of door pockets and armrests. However, unlike the older car, the lack of open space between the seats and centre console restricts some storage options. Although you get three cupholders instead of the earlier two, the storage box isn’t as deep as before. Similarly, unique bits like the useful twin glovebox and ‘conversation mirror’ are missing. But, an additional 12-volt socket in the new CR-V’s storage box makes up for it.
Also, the rear seat and boot have been reworked, making ingress and egress easier and providing better under thigh support. The CR-V offers loads of legroom all around and further improving practicality, the cargo loading area is now at approximately knee height, making it more convenient to load heavy luggage.
PERFOMANCE
The car we tested had the same motor as the old car; but this engine has been reworked for more flexibility. This motor has a good deal of useable power that starts as low as 1200rpm, and from there on, it just pulls seamlessly to the 6800rpm redline. In fact, we found this 2.0-litre engine to be on par with the previous 2.4-litre in terms of performance. What makes this engine even more delightful is that, past 3500rpm, it has an aggressive and sporty soundtrack and even though it’s a tad loud, you don’t mind the volume. Further, in traditional Honda fashion, the slick six-speed manual gearbox has well-spaced ratios that while being a joy to flick through, also extracts the best from this engine. Flat-out performance is quite strong for a car with these dimensions. 100kph comes up in just 10.72 seconds. Thanks to the motor’s broad powerband, the CR-V rarely feels bogged down and its in-gear times reflect this.
The real forte of this motor is the excellent drivability it offers, which is what really matters in everyday conditions. This just might be one of the best naturally aspirated four-cylinder units around.
There are a couple of issues though. The clutch has a ‘snatchy’ nature that causes a mild jerk during up-shifts and can get a tad irritating in stop-and-go city traffic where you tend to change gears often, it also has a bit of trouble with getting away from rest swiftly. It has enough power but, it doesn’t manage to put it down too well – there’s too much wheelspin and a fair bit of torque steer as well.
VERDICT
The CR-V sticks to being a comfortable runabout vehicle, the latest version brings an improved engine, better fuel efficiency and drivability. It looks great as well. The interiors provide useful touches like easy-to-fold rear seats but, as a whole, are a bit uninspiring. The car might not feel very solid but it makes up for it with good nimbleness and agility. The CR-V pioneered the soft-roader here and is still as good as it gets. With local assembly, it now has a price advantage as well. Only thing is, we wish it had evolved a little more.
TECH SPECS
VERDICT
The CR-V sticks to being a comfortable runabout vehicle, the latest version brings an improved engine, better fuel efficiency and drivability. It looks great as well. The interiors provide useful touches like easy-to-fold rear seats but, as a whole, are a bit uninspiring. The car might not feel very solid but it makes up for it with good nimbleness and agility. The CR-V pioneered the soft-roader here and is still as good as it gets. With local assembly, it now has a price advantage as well. Only thing is, we wish it had evolved a little more.
TECH SPECS
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