The CR-V has been Honda’s ace in India ever since it was launched in 2003. The Japanese auto giant’s ethos of blending technology with market dynamics is amply exhibited in its SUV, which is quite unlike any other. In fact, it’s so unconventinal and car-like in its looks and abilities that it spawned a new segment: soft-roaders. The lack of diesel products has always hindered Honda’s initiatives in the country, but with the new, smaller 2.0 litre variant it tries to answer some of the issues. Interiors/ Exterior The new CR-V is pretty much the same as the older version from inside as well as outside. Its stately poise and sophisticated, trimmed lines have made it one of the best-selling SUVs in the country and even after several years, it remains a genuine head-turner. It’s a compact five-seater, as opposed to the Endeavour with its additional row, which makes it a practical, urban beast. The cabin and instrument panel give the same cockpit-like feel which has been so much in vogue because of the Civic. The gear levers have been integrated with the instrument panel, which enhances the car’s sportiness. It is indeed difficult to find fault with a vehicle that is so delicately carved. The inner space is adequate and the fifth passenger does not need to squeeze in. The boot is equally spacious. Engine and Powertrain We have always been a fan of CR-V’s refined drive and excellent 2.4-litre engine. The smaller 2.0 litre engine is impressive but not as exciting. The 2.0 litre i-Vtec engine belts out a decent 143 bhp @6,000 rpm as against the 2.4 litre’s 161 bhp. But what makes this vehicle a tad boring is the low torque of 190 Nm as opposed to the 218 Nm in the existing mode. The car feels especially sluggish with the air conditioning on. The handling and grip on the road remain top notch, and special mention must be made of its abysmally low NVH and almost non-existent body roll. The CR-V had limited off-roading capabilities due to its low ground clearance, and this version does not even have the real-time 4*4 of its predecessor, which further restricts its capabilities. At best, this is a vehcile for weekend getaways to the hills, not to the jungles. If you are looking for excitement, the 2.4-litre engine is decidedly better. Fuel Economy Be prepared for a pleasant shock. The 2.4-litre version gave us a mileage of 8.3 kmpl, so the expectations from this vehicle were not high, though a double digit figure was expected. What the CR-V actually clocked was way beyond our imagination. The 2.0 litre gave a hefty average of 13.4 kmpl—the highest by an SUV by a long mile. So much so that it even beat the diesel SUVs, which expectedly give more mileage due to the technological advances. In fact, on the highway, the car returns an astounding 13.9 kmpl, making it so tempting that you won’t mind its sluggishness. the verdictIf Honda has brought in this version to beat all the SUVs on fuel economy, then they’ve got it bang on. It has all the goodness of a Honda—from comfortable, luxurious seats and a highly refined drive quality to a super-cool suspension and barely any engine rattle. The sluggishness of the engine is a little uncharacteristic and unexpected, but so is its frugality. It may not be an SUV along the lines of Endeavour or Pajero, so one has to be sure of what one is looking for. As a vehicle that can handle the odd drive-outs to the rural, dusty terrain, CR-V still rules.
