2015 Honda CR-V Touring TESTDRIVEOW.COM VIDEO REVIEW

2015 Honda CR-V Touring VIDEO REVIEW

Honda has been mining gold with the CR-V for years now to the point where it’s become so popular that it’s actually their best seller. Not to rest on their laurels however, Honda continues to put the pedal to the medal with this updated 2015 model with stylish new looks and a host of other fresh features.

Everyone knows at least one person with a CR-V. After all, it’s been the best-selling sport-utility the past 10 years; an accomplishment earned for its just-right sizing, affordability and history of top-notch dependability. It’s also been on the market for nearly 2 decades so there’s instant customer awareness. But until now, there hasn’t been a single one that you would describe as particularly attractive. Lo and behold, Honda has given this 2015 model a fresh face, LED lighting and some sweet wheels transforming its appearance from dull to dynamic. Awash in Urban Titanium Metallic paint and riding upon larger 18” Dunlop Grandtrek tires, this CR-V has that “it” factor it’s been lacking.

The exact CR-V I’m talking about it is this new Touring trim, going above the EX-L with Navi by adding the newly available Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assistive features including LaneWatch, showing you though video what’s on the right side of the vehicle when activating the turn signal, Forward Collision Warning with Braking, Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Departure Warning. Adaptive Cruise Control is here too so Honda has taken full advantage of the new camera and radar systems. Projector headlights, side mirror turn signal lights and the Touring badge complete the outside upgrades while convenience features such as a power tailgate and memory settings for the driver’s seat have also been added.

(Steve and Lara banter)

Honda refers to their new fuel efficient engines as Earth Dreams and this 2.4-liter version is direct-injected, has DOHC and uses the i-VTEC valve system. Combined with the new continuously variable transmission, replacing the old 5-speed auto, combined gas mileage has risen on the CR-V AWD from 25mpg to 28mpg, now rated at 26mpg city/33mpg highway. This 185 horsepower engine now makes 11% more torque resulting in 181 pound-feet. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 1,500 pounds. The CVT is a good one too; integrating something Honda calls G-Design giving it a feel more closely resembling a traditional automatic. An ECON mode alters the Drive-by-Wire throttle system and other features to further conserve gas. Advancing the CR-V’s more refined driving style are retuned shocks, a quicker steering ratio, wider tires, and improved brakes. The multitude of tweaks and changes Honda has engineered into the CR-V are palpable and takes it to that next level of premium.

As mentioned earlier, the next generation of HondaLink debuts on this CR-V with a 7” touchscreen and a smaller display up above. The features themselves are quite comprehensive and will please smartphone lovers with an easy integration of their connected lifestyle. But actually using the system and splitting your attention between 2 displays is less than desirable. The buttons on the left side are small and feel cheap.

But everything else about the interior follows sound ergonomic principals, particularly as it relates to loading it up with lots of stuff, or people for that matter…a little smaller than a RAV4 overall, but cut low and wide for ease of use.

This 2015 CR-V Touring AWD comes with everything you see as standard for $33,650 including destination. Already the highest rated Compact CUV in Dependability, this extensively refreshed 2015 CR-V is now poised to make inroads in JD Power’s APEAL Study which examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive.

CLICK HERE to get a FREE ONLINE PRICE QUOTE for your NEW HONDA from a dealer near you. Absolutely NO OBLIGATION.