Wait over as Honda slaps pricey sticker on new CR-V

With the first and only hint of its long overdue arrival made last month, Honda South Africa has finally confirmed specification and pricing details of the new sixth generation CR-V.

On-sale in the United States where it first debuted two years ago, and since then in Europe and Australia, the CR-V arrives on local soil in a streamlined model range from four to two variants powered by a single powerplant.

Seven-seats now standard

Based on the same platform as the Civic, the CR-V measures 4 706 mm long, 1 865 mm wide and 1 680 mm high while making do with a wheelbase measuring 2 700 mm.

Compared to the outgoing fifth generation, the CR-V’s length has been stretched by 115 mm, its wheelbase by 38 mm and its height increased by nine millimetres.

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The overall width meanwhile has been made narrower by 10 mm, while seven-seats now come standard for the first time.

As for boot space, a total of 150-litres features with all three-rows in use, though with the outer row down, space increases to 840-litres. With the second row also dropped, space expands to 1 488-litres.

Underside revised extensively

Somewhat curiously, the claimed ground clearance has dropped from 208 mm to 198 mm most likely as a result of the chassis having undergone extensive revisions from that of the old the CR-V.

These include a new, lighter subframe with relocated and stiffened-up mounting points for the suspension, a stiffer overall body construction, new rear springs and a wider front and rear track.

Along with the roof pillars having been strengthened, Honda has retuned the CR-Vs’ steering in addition to moving the rack to below propeller shaft, moved the A-pillars rear-wards by 120 mm and fitted upgraded brakes with larger ventilated rotors at the front and solid stoppers at the rear.

Spec and tech

Model-wise, the previous Comfort and Elegance versions have been dropped entirely, meaning the Executive now becomes the entry-level model with the Exclusive, in addition to its retaining flagship status, becoming the first Honda in South Africa to break through the R1-million mark.

In terms of specification, Honda has left little to chance by equipping the Executive with 18-inch alloy wheels, the nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system from the Civic RS with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, auto on/off LED headlights and electric heated front seats.

Also included are:

• eight-speaker sound system;
• wireless smartphone charger;
• Active Noise Control;
• dual-zone climate control with rear vents;
• remote engine start;
• hands-free electric tailgate;
• keyless entry;
• push-button start;
• folding and reverse tilting mirrors;
• front and rear armrests

On the safety side, Honda’s Sensing system comes standard with no items missing or solely reserved for the Exclusive.

Included, therefore, is the LaneWatch side-view camera, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Seat Alert and a surround-view camera system.

Additional system include;

• front and rear parking sensors;
• tyre pressure monitor;
• eight airbags;
• Hill Descent Control;
• Driver Attention Alert;
• Hill Start Assist;
• Vehicle Stability Assist;
• Trailer Sway Control

At the range’s summit; the Exclusive swaps the 18-inch wheels for gloss black 19-inch alloys, the instrument cluster for the bigger 10.2-inch set-up and the chrome grille for a gloss black finished item.

Sportier bumpers, dual chrome exhaust outlets and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof also feature, along with a white ambient lighting colour and a new Head-Up Display projecting information directly onto the windscreen.

Turbo power only

Up front, the mentioned single powertrain sees the 2.0-litre normally aspirated petrol engine being dropped and the 1.5-litre turbo retained, albeit paired to a new CVT.

Producing unchanged 140kW/240Nm, but tweaked with a new turbo that spools up faster to alleviate low-down lag, power is again routed to the front wheels only. Claimed fuel consumption for both models is 7.4 L/100 km.

Colours and price

Now available on-sale, a total of seven colours have been made available;

• Platinum White Pearl;
• Crystal Black Pearl;
• Meteoroid Grey Metallic;
• Lunar Silver Metallic;
• Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic;
• Coffee Cherry Red Metallic;
• Canyon River Blue Metallic

Included in the pair of CR-V’s price tag is a five-year/200 000 km warranty and a five-year/90 000 km service plan.

• CR-V 1.5T Executive CVT – R959 900
• CR-V 1.5T Exclusive CVT – R1 039 900

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