Having debuted simply two years in the past, the present Honda CR-V rolled into the 2019 mannequin 12 months with none noteworthy updates. Besides a simplified mannequin vary and a brand new shade of white paint (woo-hoo!), Honda’s fifth-generation small SUV is similar because it ever was. But it is nonetheless actually darn good. Even as more energizing competitors just like the 2019 Subaru Forester and 2019 Toyota RAV4 have hit the scene, the marginally holder Honda continues to be greater than as much as the duty of preventing for prime honors in a really aggressive area. Visual flairFor starters, the fifth-generation CR-V’s design continues to be contemporary and sharp. Look intently on the exterior and you may discover quite a few character traces sprinkled all through the bumpers, hood, fenders and door panels. The taillights are molded for a three-dimensional look, and there is a wholesome assortment of trim finishes together with chrome, gray, and black plastic cladding. It seems like loads on paper, however the result’s a cohesive, enticing look. Add within the curvy-spoke, 18-inch wheels, and the CR-V is likely one of the best-looking CUVs in its class.
Things are additionally removed from drab contained in the CR-V; the cabin has a gorgeous format and plenty of soft-touch surfaces. I’m not fairly on board with the wooden trim, however that is the one nitpick I’ve in regards to the environment. The seats provide an excellent quantity of facet help, there’s ample area for grownup passengers in each rows and there are many areas to stash gadgets of all sizes. When it is time to haul stuff, the Honda does not disappoint, both, with 39.2 cubic ft of area on provide behind the rear seats. If that is not sufficient, folding the second-row opens up 75.8 cubic ft — which got here in helpful, swallowing items from a weekly Wong household restaurant provide run which included six circumstances of froth containers, an enormous field of Tide industrial cleaner and different varied odds and ends.Satisfying techOn the infotainment entrance, the CR-V will get Honda’s Display Audio system that makes use of a reasonably responsive 7-inch touchscreen with not nice, however acceptable picture decision. Touring fashions get onboard navigation, a nine-speaker audio setup, satellite tv for pc radio and Bluetooth. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are additionally a part of the deal. Overall, the Display Audio system is fairly straightforward to be taught.
The tech is not good, although. Display Audio does not provide Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities, it may be sluggish to swap between completely different menus and a wi-fi charging pad is not accessible on any trim stage. There are, nevertheless, many conventional charging choices at your disposal, together with two USB ports and a pair of 12-volt retailers upfront. Rear-seat passengers have entry to a pair of two.5-amp USBs on the again of the middle console.Safety options are plentiful. With the exception of the bottom LX mannequin, each CR-V comes with the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistant applied sciences, which incorporates adaptive cruise management, ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping help. EX, EX-L and Touring variations additionally obtain commonplace blind-spot monitoring and computerized excessive beams.Polished performerWith the exception of the bottom CR-V LX mannequin, which will get a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, the remainder of the CR-V lineup is powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-four. It makes 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, working with a constantly variable transmission. All-wheel-drive automobiles return an EPA-estimated 27 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 33 mpg on the freeway, that are numbers supported by the 28.8 mpg I noticed throughout every week of combined driving.
On the highway, you may’t actually name the CR-V fast or sluggish. Getting onto expressways does require a heavy proper foot to extract serviceable muscle, and the CVT tends to drone whereas hanging out at greater revs. Thankfully, whenever you aren’t going exhausting on the throttle, the CVT is properly behaved and quiet. Thank goodness.
Chassis tuning is probably going the CR-V’s most spectacular feat. Honda’s compact SUV is remarkably snug, using on 235/60R18 tires with quantity of sidewall. Combined with a forgiving suspension, the Honda has a wonderful journey high quality general however the greatest potholes and ruts get in the best way. The well-damped journey is a good asset, particularly on Michigan’s principally subpar pavement. That clean journey does not translate into the CR-V being a pushover in corners, both. In reality, it is decently enjoyable to toss round. Cranks on the steering wheel end in near-immediate turn-in and small quantities of physique roll. The CR-V confidently hangs on round corners and modifications instructions effectively sufficient. While it is not as sporty because the Mazda CX-5, it is amongst one of many tighter-handling small crossovers on the market. The CR-V’s suspension supplies a cushty journey and respectable cornering skills.
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How I’d spec itCall me a tightwad, however the loaded CR-V Touring’s $34,250 sticker value, not together with $1,095 for vacation spot, feels slightly steep. That’s to not say it is overpriced, although — the CR-V’s pricing is correct in keeping with the section’s finest.
When getting down to construct my CR-V, I’d start with an EX mannequin that begins at a extra palatable $27,350. That will get me the turbo engine, Honda Sensing tools, Display Audio, and blind-spot monitoring. To address winter, the EX additionally consists of distant engine begin and heated entrance seats. I’ll add all-wheel drive for $1,400 to assist reduce by snow and get it painted Obsidian Blue. All in, my properly geared up CR-V is available in at an easier-to-digest value of $29,845. The CR-V Touring is actual good, however an EX will do.
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Still a prime canineThe 2019 Honda CR-V begins at $24,350 and competes in a section flush with strong opponents. On prime of the aforementioned RAV4, CX-5, and Forester, there’s the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Nissan Rogue and Volkswagen Tiguan to think about. A brand new 2020 Ford Escape is on the horizon and sure will certainly be of the dialog, as effectively. From that listing, the best-rounded selections, to me, are the Honda and Toyota. Both are snug, environment friendly, deal with effectively and are not boring to take a look at. Between the 2, it is a toss-up for me. At instances I favor the RAV4’s blockier, extra rugged look and torque-converter transmission, whereas on different events I want the CR-V’s sleeker sheet metallic and tighter reflexes. Really, I do not suppose you may go mistaken with both. It could be older than a few of its opponents, however the CR-V continues to be a standout in its section.