Car Review: Honda CR-V 2.0 I-VTEC

MORE than five million sales says plenty about a car … It means a lot of happy motoring. So it was time to share in that happiness with a week in a new Honda CR-V.
It’s the fourth generation of a model with a global reach … It is sold in 160 countries, has won more than 140 awards worldwide and has been made in Britain since 2000. I had a quick look at the new model at the Paris Motor Show last September, but now was my chance to get behind the wheel.

honda CR-V 2013

The car, a five-door SUV (sports utility vehicle) is certainly a style success, with a dynamic, planted stance, a handsome, contoured side profile, subtly flared wheel arches and a bold front-end treatment. I drove a 2.0 I-VTEC EX 4WD Automatic model – the car is also offered in two-wheel-drive in this engine specification.

Inside, the CR-V looks stylish and feels luxurious and spacious – the clever people at Honda have made the car smaller on the outside and bigger on the inside – reducing height (by 30mm) and length (by 5mm) without compromising interior space.

Our top spec model was upholstered in a gorgeous cream leather and all the interior materials are of high quality. The handsome dashboard houses a multi-information display with 5in screen, which controls the audio system, phone and sat nav.

The car is eminently practical too, with probably the easiest folding rear seats I have encountered. The 60/40-split seats fold down in one smooth action to give a capacious, flat load area with 1669 litres capacity.

honda CR-V 2013

As for equipment, the car is a veritable kit-fest, with features including cruise control, dual zone climate control, Premium audio system with steering wheel audio controls, USB and auxiliary audio sockets, electrically adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and seat memory settings (front seats are heated) power-folding, heated door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, Bluetooth, auto lights and wipers, passenger-side reverse-tilt mirror, door lining ambient light, active cornering light system, privacy glass, power tailgate, panoramic glass roof, full leather upholstery and 18in alloy wheels.

The driving experience is a treat, with the engine delivering smooth power via its sweet- changing five-speed automatic transmission, which has a sport mode to sharpen response if required. With truly comfortable ride and assured handling, the car felt at home in both town and country.

The stylish and versatile CR-V ticks so many boxes – I’m sure there will be many more buyers following in the tyre tracks of those five million-plus.

Car driven
CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC EX 4WD Automatic
0-62mph (100km) 12.3 seconds
36.7mpg (combined)
Emmissions: CO2 g/km 179
Top Speed: 110mph
OTR price: £30,400 (metallic paint £500 extra)

For more info visit www.honda.co.uk

Frank Turner

Frank Turner is a triple award-winning journalist and a member of the Northern Group of Motoring Writers. Contact him at turnermedia@gmail.com