Honda CR-V has a decent fan base in India despite premium price that because buyers here are fan of diesel SUVs. At an event in Detroit, the Japanese carmaker has taken the covers off the fifth generation of CR-V which is expected to on sale in USA by late 2016 followed by European countries in 2017. The Indian market launch is likely to expected to take place by end of 2017 or early 2018. The brand claimed to sell over 4 million units globally since its debut in 1997.
For the first time ever, the SUV comes with 1.5 litre Turbocharged petrol engine that makes an excellent 190bhp of max output and 242Nm of torque. However for India, CR-V will carry forward the 2.4 litre i-Vtec engine producing 184PS power and 242Nm of torque. Both the engines will send power to front wheels via CVT (continuously variable transmission) with optional AWD.
The Fifth generation CR-V gets 50.8mm of longer wheelbase which has helped in increasing the rear legroom space by 2.1 inches as compared to outgoing model. However, the SUV still remains a five seater. Besides plenty of space for its occupants the new Gen model it gets practical layout with plethora of rich features like 7 inch touch infotainment system compatible with Android Auto, Satellite navigation and Apple car play.
To add to the sportiness, CR-V sports wide instrument cluster, three spoke multi-function steering wheel, dual zone climate control, 8 way power and 4-way lumbar support for driver’s seat, USB charging ports at rear, remote engine starter, heated front seats, electric parking brake and hands free power tailgate which can be activated via kicking motion.
The exterior has also gone through myriad of alterations making it a better looking car than before. The SUV takes design cue from the new Honda Civic featuring long muscular bonnet, aggressive honeycomb mesh grille with dual chrome slats flanked by sharp wing headlamps with LED daytime running lights, chrome fog lamps and faux skid plate.
The window line on sides is somewhat similar to current model while it gets new sporty aluminum alloy wheels; broad side body cladding, OVRMs with integrated turn indicators and sloping roofline to enhance appeal. At rear, there is Volvo V90 inspired LED tail lights along with roof spoiler, wide chrome bar, twin chrome exhaust pipes and shark fin antenna giving the car fancy look.
The SUV will be loaded with several safety features like ABS, multiple airbags, new Honda sensing suite, RDM (road departure mitigation) with LDW (lane departure warning), pedestrian sensing capability, collision mitigation braking with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist and low speed follow, auto beam headlamps, blind spot detection etc.
