The CR-V helped to create the compact crossover category over ten years ago and it remains one of the best selling crossovers in Canada. As more and more people are shopping for an efficient, practical and well appointed compact crossover, the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V should be on your shopping list.
With hot new competition from Kia, Hyundai GM and Ford, the interior also had to be updated; even more than Honda attempted with the 2012 Civic. The wide, horizontal design gives an open feel and reminds buyers of the more expensive Acura MDX. To make this new CR-V appeal to traditional SUV buyers, there is now a large centre console with plenty of storage and large cup holders. The dash is logical and features a standard multi information display just under the windshield that also doubles as the standard backup camera monitor. For anyone that has owned a car with heated seats, you will probably never go back to a car without them. Honda wants your bum warm, so they include heated seats as standard equipment. In the back, the rear seats now flip and fold with the pull of a lever, allowing greater cargo space without having to wrestle them down manually.
The Ride
The main reasons Canadians love compact crossovers are the usability they provide but also the efficiency they deliver. With an already thrifty powertrain Honda decided to tweak, helping to add power and improve fuel mileage. Other targets were to smooth the ride and improve the all wheel drive performance. Power is up 5hp to 185hp, making the CR-V the most powerful 4-cylinder crossover on the road. Using new ratios has optimized the 5-speed automatic, which delivers the best in class fuel consumption. Sound insulation has been improved, along with a modified suspension, making the CR-V feel more car-like and refined. In fact there is no harshness from the engine and road noise is minimal. When pulling away from a light, the updated all wheel drive system has torque pre-loaded to the rear wheels, which makes for better traction. At speed, this system can also redirect torque quicker than the old system.
Darbi 8:00 PM on April 19, 2013 Appreciate all the comments about the CR-V. However, no mention of the durability on country gravel roads. We have had 2 Honda Civic SIs and one Honda Civic, have loved all of them and experienced absolutely no problems. But they do not stand up to Alberta's gravel roads and country highways. As much as we would love to continue driving Civics we need something with more durability (other than our trucks). All tests seem to be in cities only.
Marilyn Rich 8:13 AM on April 14, 2013 I am in the market for a new car and cannot decide between these two vehicles. I am an active senior and would use a vehicle mostly for city driving. What would you recommend.
Rafael Gutierrez 9:04 PM on March 18, 2013 I was looking through your web page but i couldnt find a review on the Ridgeline. Have you done a test drive, im interested in purchasing one next spring, either a used one (2 to 3 years old) or a new one.
Thanks.
Motormouth.ca says: 7:57 PM on March 19, 2013 I have driven one a few years ago, not much has changed. This is a good light-duty pickup. The engine and transmission choices are limited to one, so the domestics have many more choices. This is basically an SUV based pickup.
Dick 6:13 PM on March 14, 2013 Hi Been looking to purchase new 2013 SUV. Have narrowed it down to Honda crv vs Toyota rav 4. Torn between the two. Would like some unbiased feedback/thoughts on which one would be the better choice.
We listen to your show on qr77 on sats.
Thanks!
Motormouth.ca says: 8:48 PM on March 19, 2013 I prefer the CR_V, it is a great overall package with good standard features.
CR-V 9:04 AM on February 4, 2013 Hey Zack. Miss seeing you on driving television !! I was just wondering why the rear dvd system is not available in Canada or if it will be soon. I see its availabe on the U.S. site and i would bye from the their just to get the factory installed system.
Motormouth.ca says: 4:37 PM on February 16, 2013 To be honest I don't know why anyone would spend the money for a rear DVD system. Get an iPad and you can use it in the car, home airplane etc.
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