TOWARDS the end of last year when the key to a spanking new – just 14 km on the odo – Premium White Pearl Honda CR-V was handed to me as my (final) long-term test vehicle, I had reservations. Having driven and tested all manner of SUVs over the years, I had always had respect for what many of the more serious off-roaders were capable of off the beaten track but, being far more a stringback driving gloves and peakedcap type of motorist than a khakiclothing and solar-powered back-pack kinda guy, they simply did not suit my lifestyle. Softroaders? Ja, well, no fine, but appearances can be deceiving. How often have I seen a 4×2 SUV being out-manoeuvred by a knowledgably- driven passenger car or station wagon – the latter being my ideal mode of transport? Ah, but one should always keep an open mind …
It may be an age thing but, when approaching retirement, life takes on a different perspective. Practicality overtakes emotion so, just for interest, I started ticking-off the CR-V’s features against my benchmark station wagon’s attributes. The In Executive trim, all the bells and whistles are standard Honda scored very highly against my absolute wish-list – not perfect, but close – and out-scored the wagon by quite a margin because in Executive trim, all the bells and whistles are standard (admittedly for a hefty R445 000, even if this figure is class-competitive), which was not the case with the “options cost extra” wagon. Certainly made me think.
But first things first. I still have reservations over the frontal styling – it is a bit beaky, emphasised by the angled-back outer sections of the bumper. The park sensors consequently do not point straight ahead so are not quite as effective as they could be, meaning allowance has to be made for the slightly protruding nose. However, you soon get used to it. Sensors are standard at the rear, too, by the way. Overall, though, the CR-V is quite manoeuvrable – the turning circle is 11,8 metres and lock-tolock takes three turns of the rakeand reach-adjustable steering.
The compact CR-V is remarkably roomy. It is 4 570 mm long but with the driver’s seat adjusted fully back to accommodate my 1,9- metre frame, the part of the 40:20:40 split rear seat behind can be folded and tipped forward without having to remove the head restraint – a rare pleasure for me – thanks to its own fore/aft adjustment. The split backrests are adjustable, too. Boot capacity is generous, ranging from 336 to 448 dm3 depending on the position of the rear seats. There is a stiff, folding board that can be used to create a split-level boot, or laid flat on the floor if not, and a multisection cargo cover adapts to any seating configuration. Loading height is a reasonable 695 mm and a full-sized spare wheel lies under the boot board.
Climbing aboard is pretty much “step in” rather than “step up”, despite the generous 170 mm ground clearance. The leatherupholstered seats are very comfortable, the fronts with twoposition heaters and folding inboard armrests. The driver’s chair is electrically adjustable but, surprisingly, there is no memory facility – my single biggest gripe about the vehicle. Visibility is excellent and the electric glass sunroof was generally left unshaded to make the beigecoloured interior even more light and airy. Custom-fitting colourcoded mats covered the cabin’s completely flat floor.
The facia is attractive with all controls falling easily to hand. The clear instrumentation includes a useful info/trip computer readout and combines well with the audio/ heating and ventilation panel – it is all thoughtfully co-ordinated. From the header rail, faint blue ambient lighting shines at night. The joystick-style handbrake protruding from the front of the floor console operates well.
Other interior features worth mentioning are the speed-sensitive auto-locking, dual-zone climate control (which in Honda fashion does not automatically go to full blast when tasked with bringing down temperatures quickly – a mild irritation), the quality MP3/ WMA/iPod/aux-compatible six-CD audio system with six speakers and a subwoofer, the deep central cubby with sliding lid and tray, the fold-down combined specs holder/ conversation mirror, the dual facia cubbies and the numerous oddments storage places.
For the driver, the folding and heated exterior mirrors are sensibly large, the interior mirror is selfdipping, the cruise, satellite audio system and trip computer controls on the steering wheel are intuitive to use, the wipers – which sweep most of the big screen – have a sensibly sensitive auto-on setting, the very effective xenon headlamps also have auto-on capability and there is plenty of footwell space, including a foot rest.
Driving the CR-V is effortless, yet far from numb. The allindependent suspension – Mac- Pherson struts up front, double wishbones at the rear – is fi rm but seldom does anything jar the body. All-disc brakes come with EBD and BAS and are powerful and easy to modulate.
The CR-V is just such a pleasure to drive and numerous short trips up the Garden Route were enjoyed as much for the travelling as being there. The benefi t of part-time four-wheel drive was appreciated in stormy weather and in some mild off-roading, and the system’s engagement/release is seamless. Vehicle Stability Assist and a tyredefl ation warning are standard. The Continental tyres, mounted on 17-inch alloy wheels, can squeal a little when pushed, but otherwise road noise is well suppressed – some wind rush from the mirrors is all that is heard.
The 2,2-litre turbodiesel four develops 110 kW at 4 000 r/min and a healthy 350 N.m of torque between 2 000 and 2 750 r/min, and seemed to quieten as the kilometres piled on. Mated with a fi ve-speed auto transmission, performance is more than adequate in any situation. There is a fourth/ fi fth gear lock-out button on the gearshift for when towing, supported by Trailer Stability Assist.
A sticker on the windscreen claims the offi cial fuel consumption as 7,5 litres/100 km, but such a fi gure is seldom attainable in real-world driving, and the test unit’s 20 000 km average of 8,55 litres/100 km is excellent by any standard. Only 50 ppm diesel was used, and helped by a particulate fi lter, the engine is Euro5 emissions compliant.
Honda Cape Town CBD took care of the first service at 15 219 km, which comprised oil and filters plus a routine front-to-rear wheel swop. The work was done comfortably within a day and the car was washed and vacuumed prior to collection. The invoice showed a total of R1 820,79, which was covered by the service plan.
The pearlescent paintwork is certainly attractive but it does have a downside. Being flagship Executive spec, the CR-V’s bumpers and sills were colour-coded, so when some errant motorist scratched the underside of the rear bumper while pulling out from the parking bay behind, what might have gone unnoticed on a basic black plastic bumper was easily noticeable on the white. Quotes for repair ranged from around R1 500 for a patch job to almost R4 500 for a proper bumper-off repair (that included respraying the rightfront wheel-arch lip that was oddly discoloured). Style over practicality has its price …
Passive safety features include six airbags, active front head restraints and Isofix anchorages at the rear, and earned EuroNCAP four-star ratings for both crash and child safety. The CR-V is sold with a three-year/100 000 km warranty and five-year/90 000 km service plan as standard. Servicing is required every 15 000 km.
TEST SUMMARY
Honda’s success in qualitystandard awards is not achieved without good reason and the CR-V often appears at the top of its category. It is not hard to understand why. For sheer unfussed, practical, comfortable, economical and all-round enjoyable transport in practically any driving conditions, Honda’s sports utility is ideal.
