By Otsile Kadiege

Honda South Africa has given its stalwart CR-V SUV a minor refresh with a subtly restyled exterior and a largely unchanged interior. Honda has also taken the opportunity to realign the range and this sees changes to the drivetrain and specifications of the 1.5T Executive.

Exterior styling 

The most noticeable exterior styling change is to the front and rear bumpers, which have been redesigned. The front-end of the CR-V is still dominated by a broad-barred grille which is framed by curved, slimline headlights with integrated daytime running lights. Dual air intakes with a dark meshed finish split the colour-coded bumper. A metallic scuff plate underlines the CR-V’s SUV identity.

At the rear, the inverted LED taillight clusters are linked by a chromed garnish strip and positioned high up on a tail gate that extends all the way down to bumper level. The 1.5T model gets twin exhaust tailpipes, housed within the rear scuff plate.

The range-topping 1.5T Exclusive models are fitted with new 19-inch alloy wheels. The colour line-up for the upgraded CR-V includes Platinum White, Lunar Silver, Modern Steel, Crystal Black and Brilliant Sporty Blue. A new addition is Coffee Cherry Red.

Interior

Key interior highlights of the CR-V are the use of high quality materials, a full-colour TFT driver information interface, a centrally located 5-inch or 7-inch display and 522 litres of luggage space, extendable to 1 084 litres with the seatbacks folded down. 

Model line-up and feature

The upgraded Honda CR-V line-up consists of four models, with a choice of two engines and four specification levels. All derivatives feature Honda’s latest-generation CVT.

CR-V 2.0 Comfort and Elegance CVT

The distinguishing exterior features of the Comfort model include aluminium-look front and rear scuff plates, and brushed aluminium roof rails, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, shod with 235/65 R17 tyres. Inside, the cabin features smart cloth upholstery and metallic accents, a multi-function steering wheel, two 12V accessory power sockets, a USB port and AUX input, a 5-inch full-colour display, and 4 speakers.

Standard active and passive safety features include dual front and side SRS airbags, curtain airbags, three-point inertia reel seatbelts all round and Isofix child seat anchor points at the rear. Automatic brake hold is also part of the package, as is ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), Agile Handling Assist (AHA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist (HAS) systems.

The Elegance models come standard with front and rear PDC, leather upholstery, a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, an HDMI connection, an additional USB port, 8 speakers and eight-way electric adjustable front seats with heated seat function. 

Both are powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a CVT gearbox. The engine develops 113 kW and 189 Nm. Top speed is 192 km/h, while fuel consumption in a combined cycle is 7,3 litres/100 km. 

Honda CR-V 1.5T Executive CVT

The 1.5T Executive is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, delivering 140 kW and 240 Nm, and paired to a CVT.

The exterior design of the 1.5T Executive shares all the key features of the 2,0-litre models, but gains 18-inch alloy wheels, shod with 235/60 R18 tyres. The headlights are full LED designs, complete with matching inverted LED daytime running lights. 

The interior has the same leather upholstery, Digital Driver Information Interface and 7-inch Display Audio infotainment system as the 2.0 Elegance. However, it gains auto-levelling for the headlights, and a start/stop button, while the remote central locking system includes keyless smart entry.

Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive CVT

The flagship of the new Honda CR-V range is the 1.5T Exclusive. Setting it apart from its lesser siblings are new 19-inch alloy wheels and three-element LED front fog lamps.

Inside, the range-topper gets leather upholstery and metallic accents remains, as does the TFT-based Digital Driver Information Interface. Key benefits offered by the Exclusive model is the integrated satellite navigation system, incorporated into the Display Audio system and offering full-colour mapping and turn-by-turn instructions and an electrically operated tailgate, with programmable opening height.

 The Exclusive model is equipped with Honda’s Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS). These comprise Collision Mitigation Braking (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed following (LSF) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). Additional new driver-assistive technologies include LanewatchTM and Auto High Beam headlights.

Pricing , warranty and service plan

Recommended retail pricing is as follows:

> 2.0L FWD Comfort CVT R556,100;
> 2.0L FWD Elegance CVT R617,900;
> 1.5T FWD Executive CVT R699,900; and
> 2.0L FWD Exclusive CVT R796,300. 

The range is backed by a comprehensive five-year/200,000 km warranty, as well as a five-year/90,000 km service plan. Also included is a three-year AA Road Assist package.