Selwyn Times: February 03, 2021

28 Selwyn Times Wednesday February 3 2021
CRV still a force to be reckoned with
HONDA ISN’T going to be left
out of the main game.
The mid-size sport utility
vehicle market is crowded and
tempting models just keep getting
added into the mix, Mazda’s new
CX-30 has just landed, Toyota’s
RAV4 is ever present and there’s
a host of others from most
mainstream manufacturers.
But Honda keeps ticking away
with its CRV, and sales of it are
healthy, which has a lot to do
with the upgrades that have
kept it fresh through the years
and for 2021 there are further
enhancements and refinements,
along with a greater emphasis on
safety across the range.
This evaluation focuses on
the five-seater, range-topping
Sport Premium that also has
four-wheel-drive mechanicals.
Interestingly, all CRV models now
get the 1.5-litre turbocharged
engine that was only available
previously in a few select models.
The naturally-aspirated 2-litre
engine has been dropped, but
that’s not a bad thing the 1498cc
turbo is a beauty in terms of
refinement and economy, and it
has power outputs that match the
concept of CRV.
Honda has also made some
engineering alterations to make
the CRV more driveable, notably
steering response and stability,
the latter contributing to a solid,
secure feel on the road, the
CRV feels well-attached and
communicative.
More importantly, the majority
of buyers will be interested
in the user-friendly elements
that have been built into the
newcomer. There’s a increased
focus on family travel and
what we carry with us, the
air conditioning system has
been improved, the USB ports
up-front are illuminated and
relocated for convenience and
are fast charging, while a wireless
charging pad is now included.
You’d expect nothing less from
Honda, it is a people-friendly
car builder and the CRV’s
reputation has made it a class
leader for many years, today it is
still commanding sales, keeping
it near the top end of the leader
board.
The Sport Premium model has
all the kit you’d ever need, and
at $51,000 it is extending to the
price of premium models but
it is part of a value range that
starts at $39,990 and includes
four choices. In-between there’s
a Sport 7 (seven seats) at $47,990
and AWD Touring at $43,990.
The Sport Premium wants
for nothing, it has full leather
with electric front seats (also
heated), satellite navigation,
REFINED: Honda has kept the CRV fresh through the
decades.
HONDA CRV: Upgrades and enhancements for 2021.
keyless entry and ignition,
electric sunroof, electric tailgate,
and 19in wheels, just to name
some of the features that give you
an indication of where it sits in
the market.
Drive is through a sevenstep
continuously variable
transmission, the engine and
gearbox work seamlessly
together, there is little to hinder
engine power, and response to
accelerator request is instant
and fluid. There’s no suggestion
of turbo lag anywhere, and
movement is lively and
unyielding.
In terms of performance the
CRV is rated at 140kW and
240Nm, the latter figure available
all of the way from 2000rpm to
5000rpm almost meeting the
point of peak power at 5500rpm,
they are the key ingredients when
it comes to the constant supply of
energy.
The CRVs is responsive and
will fulfil all driving styles, it’s
capable when required, easily
capable of propelling through
a highway overtake in 6sec, and
promising a 8.7sec time to reach
100km/h from a standstill.
In Sport Premium form there
are paddle-shifters which will
offer the driver some input into
how the CRV gains momentum,
or for when speed needs to be
• Price – Honda CRV Sport
Premium, $51,000
• Dimensions – Length,
4635mm; width, 1855mm;
height, 1689mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
four-wheel-drive,
1498cc, 140kW, 240Nm,
seven-step automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 8.5sec
• Fuel usage – 7.4l/100km
chiselled off, they are a great way
to enhance engine braking when
slowing for a corner or a long
descent through the hills.
The CRV is also a well-handling
SUV, it feels encouraging from
behind the wheel. That’s the
benefit of what all-wheel-drive is
all about, even though the CRV
is effectively a front-driver, power
is directed rearwards if grip is
threatened or sensors dictate that
power rearwards is demanded.
As well as my usual highway
loop, I took the test car on a
challenging incline and enjoyed
its directional accuracy and feel
in a corner. A lot of that has
to do with the big wheels and
new steering settings, it is quite
noticeable, information is relayed
back willingly to the steering
wheel.
Nothing has been
compromised in the area where
Honda excels as a car maker –
fuel usage.
The CRV is rated with a
7.4l/100km combined cycle
average, that’s one of the benefits
of having small displacement
engines, and the turbocharging
technique doesn’t jeopardise the
way we look at economy in this
age where fickle prices could soar
at any time.
During my time with the
test car it was constantly listing
an 8.1/100km average with
5l/100km showing on the readout
at a steady 100km/h, the engine
largely unstressed working over at
just 1900rpm.
Not only has Honda kept the
CRV fresh mechanically, it has
specification levels that will
constantly tempt, there’s also
a refresh cosmetically just to
keep up with modern design
trends. The latter aren’t quite so
noticeable but they do enhance
appeal.
That’s something Honda has
been doing for 23 years with
CRV, and it’s a formula that has
been very successful and serves to
prove that ideas and technology
just keep advancing. Today’s CRV
is state-of the art, and represents
all that a family car buyer would
want.