Quick Look: 2015 Honda CR-V
It’s hard to believe that the CR-V has been on sale for nearly two decades when the 1985 Civic Wagonvan 4WD is still fresh in mind. But Honda has steadily grown the CR-V from a mere 66,000 units in 1997 to over 300,000 units last year. As it stands, the CR-V is the 7th best-selling vehicle in the United States.
The CR-V gets a typical midlife facelift for 2015, which consists of new headlights (LEDs on all but the low LX trim), a new grille, bumper covers, and taillights. There are also bigger, wheels and a new trim level, dubbed “Touring”. Inside there is an upgraded dashboard with a new infotainment interface, rear seat air vents, and new dynamic safety features. Overall, one really needs to see the 2014 and 2015 CR-V side-by-side to see all the differences.
More importantly, Honda made changes that have a greater impact on fuel economy, power, comfort, and safety.
The 2.4L DOHC iVTEC engine now sports direct fuel injection and has a higher compression ratio. This translates to the same 185hp, but an increase in torque from 163 to 181 ft-lbs. Both horsepower and torque now peak at lower engine speeds, and the torque curve is flatter. The five-speed automatic was replaced with a CVT. The fuel economy improves to 27/34/29 mpg on front-wheel-drive models and 26/33/28 mpg on AWD models, both increasing +4/+3/+3 mpg over 2014 models.
Interior improvements consist of more sound insulation for a quieter ride, something that was apparently a frequent source of complaints for customers. There are now air vents for rear passengers but there are no separate controls. The infotainment system is also updated, bringing it in line with current Hondas. It is not a system that I personally love; it has too many options, too many settings, and there is no volume knob, just buttons. A back-up camera is standard.
Honda has also thrown a slew of active safety features into the 2014 CR-V, all designed to avoid accidents. These include: Forward Collision Warning with Collision Mitigation Braking System (it will stop a car if it sense an accident), Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Honda LaneWatch. The last is a camera mounted in the passenger side mirror which displays everything that is typically in the blind spot on the infotainment system. These new features are only available on the Touring, which also adds a power liftgate and memory seats – if you want the full suite of driver aides, you’ll have to shell out the big bucks.
During my quick highway drive the car did feel quiet, and a sound measure test performed by my friend did confirm that interior noise has been reduced. A full review will arrive once I spend some more time with the car, but so far, my biggest complaint rests with the CVT. I’m not a huge fan of them, for the usual reasons, but I doubt that buyers of the CR-V will know what a CVT is or even care that it uses one.
In 1999 my mother was shopping for a new car. The then new and hot E46 3-series was high on her list, as was the Acura TL. She ended up with a blue ‘99 Honda CR-V EX (CR-V EX is a horrible nomenclature, by the way, Honda) with a 5-speed manual transmission. The CR-V of that era was spacious, efficient, and affordable. There was a picnic table in the trunk and seats that folded into a bed, a pop-up rear window and full-size spare tire mounted in the tailgate. We take the CR-V and its ilk for granted now, dismissing them as just another soulless CUV. At the time, it was revolutionary.
The 2015 CR-V is a much different and much improved vehicle. But along with those changes it lost some of its personality. It seems that Honda is making more attempts at staying competitive rather than being a leader in independent design. Whether that is relevant or not is up for a debate as sales of each model are higher than ever. The truth is that CR-V buyers, new and repeat, will be getting a much improved vehicle which will only contribute to its popularity. The 2015 CR-V starts at $23,320 for a FWD LX model and goes up $32,770 for the new loaded Touring model with AWD. It is on sale as of today.
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I have a 2013 CRV and from what i can see they havent addressed one of the biggest issues with it. THE GOD AWFUL seats. When i first bought it i thought the seats were fine but after a 3-4 hour drive i realized they have very very limited padding/cushioning. It was like sitting on a church pew. These same ghettotastic seats are carried over in this new CRV and i for one have no interest in renewing my hondaloving b.s.uv until they fix these seats. Oh and they got rid of the dual armrests (why?) and the nice center console box which held an ENORMOUS amount of stuff. Instead the cheapy shared padded armrest and this little cut up center console.
I must have been on the same work order as your mother, Kamil, as I still have a dark blue '99 CR-V EX with a manual transmission. Fifteen years and 175,000 miles it's still on the road although time has taken a toll on the little CUV (the headlights just quit working today -- probably a blown fuse) and the radiator, alternator, hatch struts, oxygen sensors, and clutch master cylinder all have been replaced. But it still has the original clutch, an upgraded audio system from Crutchfield to drown out the road noise, and paint that still shines up pretty well when it's washed and waxed. The plastic bumpers are pretty faded, though. Honda hit a home run with this vehicle and constant refinement over the years have resulted in sales growth that is the envy of the industry. We enthusiasts dismiss it all too readily for minor issues and/or snobbery. It works really well for a family in an urban environment, it works well for college students shuffling from dorm to apartment, and it works for retirees who go on trips to see the Grand Canyon with their grandkids. The CR-V just works, and there is a respect that deserves to be given to it.