Long-Term Test: 2015 Honda CR-V SE AWD – Verdict
Story by John LeBlanc
Even before we punched the bright red start button of our latest 60-day test drive subject, the 2015 Honda CR-V SE AWD, we already knew the 21st-century compact crossover had become the modern equivalent to the 20th-century station wagon. What we were more interested in finding out after two months and almost 3,000 kilometres of errand running and shuttle busing was if Honda’s ever-popular entry deserved its perennial best-seller status in an increasingly competitive and crowded segment.
Although it was one of the first car-based small utility vehicles to go on sale in the late-1990s, the front- or all-wheel-drive, four-door and five-passenger CR-V’s winning formula has been copied by every mainstream automaker and even some luxury brands. Despite all the new kids on the small crossover block, Honda Canada sold over 37,000 CR-Vs in 2014, making it the second most popular compact crossover in the country, right behind the top-selling Ford Escape with over 52,000 examples sold and just ahead of the Toyota RAV4 and its 36,000 examples moved.
Tough crowd, right? So while the latest generation of CR-V arrived for 2012, Honda’s keeping things fresh for 2015, primarily with some new exterior styling and an updated powertrain that promises both better acceleration and fuel economy — a rare trick. But is that enough to keep the Honda in the race against its Ford and Toyota rivals? One way the Honda is definitely competitive is pricing.
Including freight and pre-delivery inspection fees, our $31,663 CR-V SE AWD long term tester is a new trim line exclusive to Canada. It nicely slides between the base $27,718 LX-FWD and the topline $38,313 Touring. We found most of the SE AWD’s additions over the LX (like traction at all four wheels, keyless entry with push-button start, two more speakers in the sound system, and the HondaLink Assist Automatic Emergency Response System) made the SE AWD easier to live with day-to-day.
Like any popular consumer good, cute-utes like the Honda CR-V sell because they appeal to a wide spectrum of buyers. After 60 days with the CR-V using it mainly as an urban — and occasionally suburban — runabout, we learned that the Honda crossover can cater to many masters.
The chauffeur in the family appreciated the Honda’s low step-in height, great view forward and comfortable and supportive seats. Plus we found the CR-V SE AWD’s steering accurate and communicative. Those not behind the Honda’s steering wheel had few complaints as well.
Co-pilots up front enjoyed the CR-V’s dash-mounted gear selector. It freed-up space for a centre console that can house mugs, phones, and a new-this-year centre console armrest. While rear seat passengers enjoyed more hip- and shoulder room than what our tape measures found in an Escape and RAV4. And everyone onboard welcomed the Honda’s refined ride and quiet cabin. Even over bad road surfaces, the Honda dutifully kept the bumps and potholes as bay.
And for those members of our 60-day road test crew designated as cargo managers, the CR-V’s spacious and easy-to-access rear hold was quite handy. Dimensionally, the Honda can carry up to 996 litres of ringette bags and/or lawn fertilizer (your pick). That’s more than the Escape and better yet, there are few protuberances in the cargo hold and a relatively low rear bumper to make it easier to lift heavy objects.
It may have been no surprise that we found the Honda to be as practical and flexible as advertised, but we were also happy with its updated powertrain for 2015. Honda promised that by putting the direct-injected 2.4-litre four-cylinder gas engine and continuously variable automatic transmission — the lone powertrain choice — from the Honda Accord into the CR-V, the compact crossover would be quicker in a straight-line and more miserly at the pumps. And after a couple of months in our hands, we can verify both those boasts.
The CR-V’s 184 horsepower remains the same as last year, but that’s still more than what you’ll find in the base engines of the Escape and RAV4. More significantly, though, the Honda’s torque rating goes from 163 to 181 lb.-ft. Again, more than its two rivals and making our Honda scoot from rest to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds — about 1.5 seconds faster than the 2014 version. And in use, we also found the CR-V’s CVT one of the more natural in feel, with distinct — albeit fake — gear changes.
Regardless of its newfound performance, our CR-V SE AWD was also competitive at the pumps. Over its two months with us, we could not get its indicated average fuel economy to average more than 10.8 litres per 100 kilometres and that was almost entirely in city use.
Plaudits aside, we still think there’s room for improvement. For instance, while most of the CR-V’s driver’s instrumentation and controls are logically laid out and easy to use, it would be less distracting when driving not to have to search for information over the several digital screens. Plus, at this price level, the CR-V is missing features that rivals offer, like a heated steering wheel and automatic climate control, and exposes the current CR-V platform’s age. Ostentatious for some buyers, perhaps, but rivals have been offering such luxuries for years.
And while the current CR-V received a 2015 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), its “superior” rating in front crash prevention is only awarded if you get the optional Collision Mitigation Braking System in the topline Touring model. As well, many buyers opt for the Honda because it’s an excellent choice if you’re the type of buyer who wants a longer relationship with their vehicle than 60 days. That’s why the 2015 CR-V won ALG’s Residual Value Award in the Mainstream Compact Utility class, an honour for vehicles that are “forecast to retain the highest percentage of MSRP after a four-year period.”
So after eight weeks, what did we learn about the 2015 Honda CR-V SE AWD?
No doubt the CR-V plays in a very combative segment. Although it doesn’t stand out in any particular area, the Honda seemingly offers the right blend of competitive pricing, plenty of room for five, decent fuel economy, a quiet ride and handling package and a reputation as an excellent long-term buy. For plenty of Canadians, that formula seems spot on.