Honda claims added value on all-new CR-V
By Robbie Wallis · 31 May 2017
Honda has revealed pricing and specification for its all-new CR-V mid-size SUV that ushers in a new seven-seat variant and a single turbocharged petrol powertrain, with pricing starting from $30,690 before on-roads for the base-level VTi.Set to arrive in Honda showrooms in July, the Japanese carmaker claims it has included more than $2000 of added value into the fifth-generation CR-V compared with its predecessor.Honda has dropped the naturally aspirated 2.0 and 2.4-litre engines from the range, opting instead for an uprated version of the 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit found in the Civic that now makes 140kW/240Nm teamed with a CVT auto.Standard equipment over the VTi includes 18-inch rims, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, and Honda's 'LaneWatch' camera.For the first time, Honda will introduce a seven-seat variant to the range, in the form of the second-from-top spec VTi-L which will do battle with other mid-size family haulers such as the Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Outlander and upcoming Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.The range kicks off with the front-drive VTi which includes 17-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry, reverse camera, dual-zone climate control, cloth trim, 7.0-inch colour touchscreen with Bluetooth, USB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, active noise control, six airbags, hill start assist, trailer stability assist and tyre pressure monitor.Next up is the VTi-S, available in front-wheel drive from $33,290 or all-wheel drive (AWD) from $35,490.Standard equipment over the VTi includes 18-inch rims, electric tailgate with height adjustment, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, front and rear parking sensors, 'LaneWatch' camera, automatic dusk-sensing headlights, electrically-retractable door mirrors and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.The seven-seat-only front-drive VTi-L from $38,990 adds a panoramic sunroof, leather-appointed trim, heated front seats, eight-way adjustable electric driver's seat with lumbar support and seat-position memory, automatic rain-sensing wipers, curtain airbags that extend to the third row, and third-row ceiling vents.Rounding out the line-up is the $44,290 AWD VTi-LX, which is $1500 cheaper than its outgoing equivalent and includes privacy glass, LED cornering headlights, LED foglights, high-beam support, heated front seats and door mirrors, four-way adjustable electric front passenger seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, DAB+ radio and leather-wrapped gear knob.The lower three variants have increased in recommended retail price by $900, $1000 and $200 respectively.It also adds a suite of driver assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control with low speed follow, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation system and lane-keep assist.The lower three variants have increased in recommended retail price by $900, $1000 and $200 respectively, while the VTi-L and VTi-LX have been reduced by $300 and $1500.Honda has claimed that with the extra specification going into the new-generation CR-V has meant the entire range has increased in value by between $2100 on the front-drive VTi-S and $5850 on the VTi-LX range-topper.So far this year Honda has sold 2016 examples of the CR-V, leading only the Ford Escape and Renault Koleos in the list of medium SUV contenders and well behind the segment-leading Mazda CX-5 with 8139 sales.