WASHINGTON — The small crossover/SUV class is the fastest-growing segment for car buyers. The Honda CR-V is usually at the top of the heap in sales, so for 2015, Honda needed to update but not change too much.
It looks a little more rounded in styling but you still know it’s a CR-V, and it’s still pretty large for the small SUV class with plenty of room inside. Motor Trend liked it enough to name it their 2015 SUV of the year.
I drove the $33,600 CR-V AWD Touring, the top-of-the-line model with a near luxury interior. The heated leather seats up front are somewhat comfortable for an hour or so, but they are rather hard and are not the best in the class. There is plenty of room for passengers in the back, with a lot of head and leg room. The materials are a step up from the previous CR-V. They’ve added separate air vents for those sitting in the back seat to better regulate the airflow — a much-needed upgrade. The new, larger seven-inch screen for the NAV/rear view camera makes for better images, but it takes some time to get used to using the NAV system. It was good once the address was input.
The CR-V is a fine, compliant ride, even with the larger 18-inch wheels that come standard on the Touring model. Its ride is never harsh, even on less than perfect pavement. The visibility is good for the driver and the size is still good for city driving and easy to park as well. I didn’t have any problem merging with traffic or keeping up with traffic. I was a little surprised, as the only engine available is a four-cylinder with just 185 hp. There is also a new transmission for 2015 — a CVT unit that doesn’t drone too much, as they can in other cars. The CR-V should get better gas mileage; I only saw 24 mpg for the week in 200 miles of mostly city driving, below the 26/33mpg the sticker touts.
There are some nice safety features on the CR-V for the price. One is the Lane Watch system — the little camera on the right side mirror shows up in the NAV screen. Be sure to use that turn signal to activate it. The Lane-Keeping Assist system helps with awareness of drifting, and the Collision Mitigation Braking system can tell the difference between a car and pedestrian, and can even brake if you don’t.
The 2015 Honda CR-V is a solid small SUV. It provides plenty of space and the features that buyers are looking for. With a starting price of around $24,000, the CR-V is a value, but if you want all the toys and a more luxury feel, try the top-of-the-line Touring trim level — a nicely equipped SUV that will satisfy those past owners, and might even draw some new people into the showroom.
Editor’s note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI , FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
