Of all the Sport Utilities Vehicles you see on the road today, one of the most popular has to be the Honda CRV. This vehicle has really grown in popularity as well as size since it was first introduced a number of years ago.
The 2013 CRV, which was introduced last year as a completely new vehicle, has set the trend in styling. The CRV is interesting in the way the rear area and C/D pillars blend into the back – really quite out of the ordinary. It may be pleasing to the eye, but it does make seeing out the back corner a little more challenging.
Overall I have to say I like the styling of the CRV, as it is stylish but at the same time very practical. All doors are easy to get in and out of even those who might be challenged with other vehicles. Something I really liked about the new CRV was the rear load area as it was one of the lowest I have experienced. Lifting things in and out was very easy, which I found much easier on my back as well.
Under the hood, all CRV’s come with a 2.4L double overhead cam with variable valve timing all in a 4-cylinder engine. What this really means is this Honda engine is not only powerful with 185hp but also very fuel-efficient plus it is also very low-emission rating. While I tested the vehicle I had no qualms about power or the fuel consumption.
The model I drove had a green “Econ” button, which when pressed resets everything on the engines’ computer to make the CRV run in a super efficient mode, which translates to great fuel economy. If you did need to step on the accelerator for passing power, the unit re-calculated and went back into the Econ mode. In fact I never took it out the whole time I had the vehicle.
The base model of CRV comes in front drive only and the rest of the line is equipped with an all-wheel-drive system. This system is entirely computer controlled so that when the computer senses a wheel slip, the rear axle is engaged and the all-wheel-drive system comes to life. So in most cases you will never know it is engaged, something you don’t need to worry about in bad weather.
My test vehicle was the top of the line Touring Edition, which included leather, sunroof, GPS, power seats, windows plus a whole lot more. All controls were incredibly easy to find and use. So, if you are not tech savvy you don’t have anything to worry about. Those who do like the little tech stuff like USB and other links to the sound system, those were present as well.
Seating comfort for driver and passenger was top notch, and I have to say they looked impressive as well. Being this is more of a utility-like vehicle, getting in and out was very easy especially as I found out with older adults that may travel with you on a regular basis.
There was only one minor feature I was confused with – the gages. The gage layout seemed a little busy taking my eyes off the road a bit longer to read them, a minor safety point and something I am sure you would overcome with time.
Like most Honda vehicles, there is really not a lot to complain about, the company really does their homework when designing a vehicle. Starting price for the front-drive CRV starts at $26,000 and my top-of-the-line Touring Edition, which I tested, lists for about $35,000, quite a competitive price considering what this Honda has to offer.
By Glen Konorowski