Feb 08, 2005 07:13 PM
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(Updated Feb 08, 2005 07:13 PM)
The Honda CRV was, and is still a bestseller. While other manufacturers are struggling to get decent sales figures for their soft roaders, the Honda has a long waiting list for the CRV. T
his crossover already enjoys an excellent reputation. But the buyers felt there were a few minor cons. One was that for an SUV of its price, people expected a much more macho look unlike the CRV's soft elegant looks. Also, the auto transmission of the old CRV sent the fuel efficiency spiralling downwards.
And so, Honda responded to the customer feedback by bringing in a CRV that looks much more macho, with an option of manual transmission. They didn't stop it with this, and got in a more powerful 2.4 liter engine. The CRV was already an amazing vehicle. But with these improvements, it takes it to a level beyond the rest. How much better is the CRV now?
Styling-Cosmetic makeover enhances the already attractive looks of the CRV.
As I told you, the CRV was subjected to a small cosmetic makeover. For that macho look, the CRV gets cool new headlamps. It also gets a classy grille with thick chrome slats. That is a really catchy feature. The bumper also is modified to an extent.
The sleek side profile remains more or less the same, with a modern feel to it. The alloys though, are all new. And another improvement is the body colored bumper. This makes the CRV look more attractive than before. The rear is almost the same, with its mounted tail lamps and spare wheel. The CRV was already the most attractive vehicle in its class. Now, with this facelift, it becomes even more modern and attractive.
Interior-Good comfort with more features.
The interior now gets more features such as leather seats and ofcourse the manual gearbox. There is generous legroom and headroom at the front. The steering as usual is wrapped in leather. The dials in the instrument panel are a highlight of the interiors. They are lit up even during the day! The dashboard is very much similiar to the old dash. It is modern and controls are ergonomically placed. The rear legroom is also very good. Three adults can sit in comfort. The quality of materials used in the cabin is very good. So what you get is an SUV that has the comfort and luxury of its sedan competitors+space.
Engine, transmission and performance-New engine is a marvel, performance excellent.
The CRV gets the 2.4 liter petrol engine of the Honda Accord. No, the awesome diesel engine hasn't made it to India as yet. The 2.4 liter i-VTEC engine is a gem. Like all Honda engines, this engine is ultra refined with no hint of vibration or noise. It is quite powerful with 152 bhp on tap. This is much more than its competitors. Gearshifting in this all new manual gear box is very smooth. With the extra power, the CRV becomes even faster.
The sprint from 0-100 takes just 12 seconds. This is awesome for an SUV. The manual gerabox makes it even more fun to drive, but at the sacrifice of convenience. There is no sign of hoarsness or vibration at even 150+ speeds. The top speed is a very good 180 km/h. This sort of performance is quite incredible for an SUV.
Ride and handling-Very good ride quality, monocoque ensures good handling.
The CRV has very good ride comfort. The suspension is well sorted out. The ride quality is a little harsh at low speeds, but is very good at moderate speeds. The attraction of the CRV has always been its handling. It is an SUV, yet it is so easy to drive. In fact, it is a favorite among women specially for this.
This good handling is because the CRV is structured around a monocoque (unitary construction). This compared to body-on-frame construction ensures very good driveability. The CRV handles well, but there is still some hint of body roll. But handling is very good for an SUV.
Fuel economy-Better than the old model.
The manual transmission makes the new CRV more economical in fuel consumption than its predecessor, even if it has a bigger engine. It averages 7-8 km/l in the city. This improves to 11 km/l on the highway. In mixed conditions, the average is 9 km/l. These figures may not necessarily be good, but for its size and weight, it is just okay.
VERDICT-The CRV is still an unbeatable crossover SUV. It looks modern and it now looks macho too, courtesy the facelift. The build quality, fit and finish outside are very good. The interior exhibits high levels of comfort with oodles of space. The engine is very refined and its extra power enables the CRV to accelerate quickly. Even if it is an SUV, the ride and handling is good. With all this, the below average fuel economy can be forgiven. The various improvements propel the CRV to a point leagues ahead of the rest. It is also priced quite sensibily, at close to 16 lakh rupees. All these make the CRV even more desireable.
STYLING-9.5/10
BUILD QUALITY-9.5/10
FIT AND FINISH-9.5/10
INTERIOR-9.5/10
ENGINE-9.5/10
PERFORMANCE-9.5/10
RIDE-9/10
HANDLING-9/10
FUEL ECONOMY-7.5/10
VALUE FOR MONEY-9/10
GRAND TOTAL-91.5/100
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