2016 HONDA CR-V QUICK TAKES

TestDriveNow QUICK TAKES: 2016 HONDA CR-V 5DR AWD TRG OVERVIEW

After a major refresh for 2015 that brought a new powertrain, significantly enhanced exterior and interior styling and a long list of new standard and available features, the 2016 Honda CR-V returns with a new Special Edition (SE) trim and a lineup with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $23,595.

The new Special Edition CR-V is positioned above the LX trim by adding larger 17-inch alloy wheels with an exclusive two tone finish, second-row and rear privacy glass, and security system. With only an $800 premium over the LX, the SE represents a high-value proposition for the premium look and additional feature content.

The CR-V is a perennial favorite of American car buyers and at nearly 3.5 million units sold since its introduction in 1997, it is the segment’s best-selling model of all time.

In fact, CR-V is the best-selling SUV over the past two decades.

Since its introduction in October 2014 the refreshed 2015 CR-V has been on a record breaking sales run with nine of the last 12 months being best individual sales months for the model and August ranking as CR-V’s all-time best month with sales of almost 35,000 units.

The 2015 model also contributed to the best ever annual sales of over 335,000 CR-Vs sold in 2014. With year-to-date sales through September 2015 far surpassing the same period a year ago, CR-V is poised to set another all-time annual sales record and is on its way to six straight years of sales growth and four straight years of record-setting annual sales. Moreover, CR-V is the best-selling SUV in America to millennial buyers.

The new Special Edition (SE) trim is positioned between the LX and the EX and is available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) versions.

Together with the top-of-the-line Touring version introduced last year that includes the Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies, CR-V is now available in 12 trim/wheel drive versions. View, build and price a 2016 Honda CR-V at automobiles.honda.com/cr-v.

The stylish and versatile 2016 Honda CR-V (http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-v/), has received a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, the top score available in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Earlier, the CR-V earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), making it a collision safety leader and standout choice in the SUV market.

“Consumers have made the CR-V America’s best-selling SUV for good reason, and this top government safety rating just adds one more appealing and class-leading attribute,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division.

“Honda is committed to offering vehicles that deliver advanced safety, fun-to-drive performance and connectivity, with top fuel economy ratings. CR-V is that kind of vehicle.”

In receiving the 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from NHTSA, the 2016 CR-V has also met the requirements of the agency’s three recommended technologies: RVS-Rear Video System (back-up camera), FCW Forward Collision Warning and LDW Lane Departure Warning.

The 2016 Honda CR-V utilizes the latest generation of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure (http://bit.ly/1mj0noQ), which helps make the CR-V highly effective at absorbing and dispersing the energy of a frontal collision crash.

The CR-V was the first Honda vehicle to offer the Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive features that can take action to help avoid a collision or mitigate its severity. Honda Sensing™ is now available on four of Honda’s most popular and top selling models – Civic, Accord, CR-V and Pilot.  The Honda Sensing™ suite of technologies includes Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

Display Audio
CR-V includes the 7-inch capacitive touchscreen Display Audio telematics interface. Display Audio, standard on EX and above trim levels, allows the user to tap, pinch, and swipe – just like on a smart phone or tablet – to control audio and other telematics features, including the available next-generation HondaLink™6 and the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System™7.

All CR-Vs include the full-color “intelligent” Multi-Information Display (i-MID) that offers a range of customizable features via fingertip controls on the steering wheel. The CR-V’s audio and telematics systems offer a high level of connectivity, including a standard Pandora®8 interface and SMS text messaging function, Bluetooth®9 HandsFreeLink® phone interface.

Powertrain
The 2016 CR-V is powered by an Earth Dreams™ Technology 2.4-liter direct-injected DOHC i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower10 and 181 lb-ft of torque11.

The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provides smooth, seamless ratio changes and helped the CR-V receive EPA fuel economy ratings of 26/33/29 mpg5(city/highway/combined) for front-wheel-drive and 25/31/27 mpg5 for the Real Time AWD models.

Chassis
Utilizing optimally tuned front MacPherson strut front and a rear multi-link suspension and features such as Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)12 and Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS), the 2016 CR-V provides a car-like driving experience, which is enhanced further on the SE and above trims with wider front and rear track dimensions due to wider wheels.

The rear multi-link system helps maximize rear seating and cargo space while providing stable and comfortable handling and ride quality. High-capacity shock absorbers help deliver a refined driving feel.

Safety
The CR-V’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) front body structure helps make the CR-V highly effective at absorbing and dispersing the energy of a frontal collision crash. Additional standard safety equipment on all models include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) electronic stability control system, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist, frontal airbags, side-curtain airbags, SmartVent® front-side airbags and a front seat design that can help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision.

The available Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive features includes Honda LaneWatch™, Forward Collision Warning (FCW)13, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)14, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)15 and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)16. The 2016 CR-V is targeted to achieve top safety ratings, including a TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a NCAP 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA.

As shown: 2016 HONDA CR-V 5DR AWD TRG MSRP $33,245

Touring Edition standard equipment at no extra cost. Total Price with destination & handling $34,145.