Honda CR-V 1.5T Executive CVT AWD - Road Test

By Lawrence Minnie 

Honda recently updated their offering in the mid-size SUV market. The competition is incredibly stiff in this segment and Honda hopes to snatch a few buyers by now offering 1.5-litre, turbocharged CR-V.

Style

The new Honda CR-V is a beautifully styled motor vehicle. Bold lines and a familiar silhouette ensure that the CR-V isn’t out of place on our roads. Vast aesthetic improvements have been made to the exterior ,with almost every panel tweaked or updated. New headlights, taillights and bumpers (as well as new alloy wheels) all add to a very pretty package.

I rather enjoyed my time with the CR-V, its stylish looks kept me turning around whenever I stopped anywhere, just to admire its beauty. Not only was I impressed but many of the extended family were as well, and commented on the stunning blue colour.

Features galore

We drove the 1.5T in Executive trim and were very surprised by the level of features available in the model. Standard equipment featured leather seating, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and a leather trimmed multi-function steering wheel. The enhanced sound system allows USB, Bluetooth and AUX inputs and the driver can find the perfect position with the electric, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat. The size of the vehicle isn’t a problem, as the CR-V is fitted with front and rear parking sensors. It also comes with heated side mirrors and auto wipers.

All the CR-Vs in the range come as standard with six airbags, ABS with EBD, Agile Handling Assist (AHA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Driver Attention Monitor and Isofix child seat mounting points in the rear.

Engine and drivetrain

This is where the CR-V unfortunately falls short of the line. The 1.5-litre turbo- charged petrol engine is superb, but is let down somewhat by the CVT transmission. Honda, without a doubt makes some of the best CVTs on the market, but this combination just seemed to be very temperamental, often revving well into the 8000 rpm range while hunting for the next “gear”.

The turbo-petrol delivers 140kW and 240Nm but through the AWD system and the CVT, the power losses made the vehicle seem very slow, and impacted harshly on the claimed fuel economy. Honda claims 7.0 litres per 100km, but we were barely able to break 9.8, despite various driving styles and ECO mode.

Despite this, the CR-V was still a pleasant drive and given more time, I am sure I could learn to live with it. The ride was super compliant thanks to the new suspension (a multilink in the rear and McPherson strut in the front), a very comfortable drive is ensured, no matter the surface.

In a nutshell

The CR-V is a good car despite its moody transmission, but it may very well suffer due to its cost. With many of its competitors such as the VW Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar and the Mazda CX-5  being thousands of Rands cheaper, the comparison cannot be ignored.

The segment is very competitive and with almost 30 other cars available to choose from (and with CVTs being the only transmission of choice in the CR-V), it might just disappear through the cracks.

Models and pricing

2.0 Comfort CVT FWD	R422 900
2.0 Elegance CVT FWD	R477 900
1.5T Executive CVT AWD	R584 900
1.5T Exclusive CVT AWD	R626 900

The Honda CR-V is sold with a 5-year/200 000 km warranty, 5-year/90 000 km service plan and 3-year AA Roadside Assistance. Service intervals are set at 15 000 km for 2.0-litre derivatives and 10 000 km for 1.5-litre derivatives.