Honda CR-V 2017 pricing and spec confirmed

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.

Does turbocharging make the Honda CR-V a more attractive option? Tell us what you think in the comments below.