Yes the five-seat Honda can still go off road thanks to its clever electronically control two/four-wheel-drive set up, but its radical new design is the big talking point.
Rav4 is a prime example of this new trend. As a car it is excellent but many people lament the loss of the chunky look that was a big part of the SUV appeal. Honda is aware that the smaller SUV sector is growing and predicts that by 2009 there will be a total of 19 competitors to the CRV. Honda wants to position the CRV in the ‘posher’ premium end of the class and the €42,000 entry-level price tag certainly reflects this.
The exterior is most striking when viewed head on, while from the side the Japanese car looks like a mini Audi Q7. This similarity is no harm as Q7 is the current large SUV of choice for the well-heeled.
Inside the CRV has a large, impressive cabin. Rear legroom/headroom is superb and the driving position car-like and elevated making all round visibility pretty good. The test cars I drove were a little bleak inside due to the dark trim and acres of black plastic. Honda's DNA is present and the CRV feels as posh as an Accord. I wasn’t left short when it came to gadgets and standard kit but then again toys are essential in a premium offering.
Engine line-up consists of a 2-litre petrol ‘iVtec’ petrol unit and a 2.2-litre turbo diesel. The diesel offering is the unit first seen in the Accord. The diesel is carried over from the old CRV. It’s a strong performer, economical and a real gem. You will need deep pockets however as the oil burner starts at €45,495 (the Freelander 2 diesel from Land Rover starts at €42,500). If you want the top spec diesel you will have to say goodbye to €56,265!
The CRV is full of active and passive safety features. The most interesting and a first in the class is the collision mitigation braking system or CMBS. Simply put this system works using radar that the car beams out from its front grille. When the radar senses it is approaching an obstacle at a dangerously alarming rate it will sequentially (from three seconds prior to the computer-predicted impact) give an audible/visual warning and rapidly tug at your safety belt. Then the car will apply the brakes at up to 0.6G (full braking is 0.9G) while tightening your seat belt in anticipation of an impact. Ultimately it is up to the driver to brake fully and avoid the impact if possible. Honda will be running training/technology days in the near future to allow people experience this and other safety features fitted.
Honda has 2% of the Irish car market and is the proud holder of the Irish Motoring Writers Association’s ‘Semperit Irish Car of the Year’ title with the Civic. CRV is a very interesting vehicle and 565 of them will find homes in 2007.
Michael Sheridan
