Refreshed 5th-gen Honda CR-V gets wealth of upgrades

MANILA: It was a triple celebration for Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) recently, as the automotive unit of the Japan-headquartered global giant continued to celebrate 30 years of operations in the country with the launch of the newest iterations of the Honda City and Honda CR-V.

The newest CR-V is a facelifted version of the fifth generation of the SUV. With a concept of “Heroic Beauty CUV,” the CR-V has been updated in a number of ways. Bannering a vigorous and fuel-efficient turbodiesel mill and a seven-seat capacity, the CR-V “reaffirms Honda’s commitment of providing innovative products in response to the evolving needs of Filipino customers.”

Exterior

On the outside, the SUV gets a redesigned front bumper, along with a chrome grille wing and chrome bumper accent. Its headlights and fog lights are now LEDs across all trims. The SX Diesel 9AT AWD additionally gets a front sequential turn signal.

All CR-V models are fitted with new roof rails, and 18-inch alloys for the SX Diesel 9AT AWD, S Diesel 9AT, and 2.0S CVT variants. Taillights of the new CR-V have been tinted; below them is a redesigned rear bumper. The tailgate is now powered for improved convenience, with the SX Diesel 9AT AWD getting hands-free functionality as it employs sensors under the rear bumper.   Exclusively on the SX Diesel 9AT AWD is a panoramic sunroof and auto rain-sensing wipers.

Interior

Accommodating up to seven passengers (in select variants), the new CR-V receives improves in its seats and center console. The SX Diesel 9AT AWD has an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat with four-way power lumbar support, and a four-way power-adjustable seat for the front passenger.

The center console now boasts USB ports, with the SX Diesel 9AT AWD getting a wireless mobile charger. A seven-inch Touchscreen Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto appears on the SX Diesel 9AT AWD, S Diesel 9AT, and 2.0 S CVT. The  SX Diesel 9AT AWD and S Diesel 9AT additionally get a navigation feature and additional controls for its automatic air-conditioning system.

The third row of the seven-seater gets 50:50 split reclining seats and additional air-conditioning vents with independent controls. With the third row folded, the CR-V takes 472 liters of cargo; with the second and third tumbled, it’s up to 967 liters. The five-seater gets 522 liters of space behind the rear seats.

Engines

The new CR-V has two engine options: a 1.6-liter DOHC i-DTEC turbodiesel mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission (120ps at 4,000rpm, 300Nm at 2,000rpm), and a 2.0-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), (154ps at 6,500rpm, 189Nm at 4,300rpm).

Safety

The SX Diesel 9AT AWD and now the S Diesel 9AT variants are given the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistive functions. A monocular camera and wave millimeter radar work together to monitor and assess various road conditions in front of the vehicle, alerting the driver of potential hazards. Advanced driver assistive features include a collision mitigation braking system, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keeping assist system, road departure mitigation, and the auto high beam.

Together with Honda Sensing, the new CR-V gets as standard: front driver and passenger airbags, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency stop signal, and multi-view reverse camera with guidelines. The SX Diesel 9AT AWD, S Diesel 9AT, and 2.0S CVT additionally get LaneWatch, side airbags and side curtain airbags. The new CR-V was given a five-star ASEAN NCAP (17- Protocol) safety rating.

The new CR-V is now available at all 34 dealerships nationwide in four colors with the following suggested retail prices:

COLORS

• Cosmic Blue Metallic (New Color - SX Diesel 9AT AWD and S Diesel 9AT only)
• Ignite Red Metallic (New Color - All variants)
• Platinum White Pearl* (All variants)
• Modern Steel Metallic (All variants)

*Platinum White Pearl – Additional P20,000

PRICING

• SX Diesel 9AT AWD Honda Sensing (seven-seater) – P2,158 million
• S Diesel 9AT Honda Sensing (seven-seater) – P1.888 million
• V Diesel 9AT (seven-seater)- P1,713,000
• S CVT (five-seater) – Php 1,678,000

For more information, visit www.hondaphil.com.

Photos by Ricky Ladia for ZIGWHEELS PHILIPPINES

Also read: Wider, longer all-new Honda City packs more features