The 2012 Honda CR-V is seen as the car that will bring glory back to the beloved Japanese car company. We remember that the 2011 CR-V was panned by a number of media outlets because they deem that Korean and American offerings are better as far as crossovers are concerned.
But with the new CR V, it looks like Honda will again get a hold of success. They might do it by combining incremental innovative changes with the classic formula.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: SUV 2WD | Base Price: $22,495.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.3 gallons (57.9 liters) | MPG: 23 city / 31 hwy |
| Length: 178.3 in. (452.8 cm) | Wheel Base: 103.1 in. (261.8 cm) |
| Height: 64.7 in. (164.3 cm) | Width: 71.6 in. (181.8 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 3305 lbs (1499 kg) | Ground Clearance: 6.3 in.(16 cm) |
| Luggage Capacity: 37.2 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 5 people |
| Engine: 2.4L Inline-4 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC® | Compression Ratio: 10.0: 1 |
| Horsepower: 185 HP | Max RPM: 7000 RPM |
| Torque: 163 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic |
| Max Towing Capacity: 1500 lbs(680 kgs) | Maximum Speed: NA |
| Option:CRV – LX AWD | MSRP: $23,745; MPG: 22 city / 30 hwy |
| Option:CRV EX 2WD | MSRP: $24,595; MPG: 23 city / 31 hwy |
| Option:CRV EX-L | MSRP: $27,245; MPG: 23 city / 31 hwy |
Engine & Performance
Not much has changed about the engine of the new Honda CR-V. It is still capable of bringing the power that you need on the road with its slightly updated 4 cylinder 2.4 liter engine. It can bring 185 horsepower and 163 lbs/ft of torque.
The brakes work well during a high-speed panic braking test and the 5 speed automatic transmission is smooth and transparent. Driving the new CR-V brings a comfortable and quiet experience.
The updated rear differentials of the all-wheel drive models provide additional torque on wet surfaces. It can significantly reduce wheel spin and the new power is actually obvious even on dry surfaces.
Honda also put enough thought on fuel efficiency as the new CR-V consumes approximately 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg in highways. That statistics is for the AWD models. Increase the numbers by one and you get the approximate measurements for the front wheel drive models.
Another thing that is worthy of your attention is the ECON mode. By the push of a button, irregular throttle inputs are eliminated and thus fuel economy is improved.
Exterior
There is actually not much to say about the overall looks of the new Honda CR V. It basically looks the same as its forerunner, with a few revisions on the front to represent the company’s new corporate face. You cannot actually tell the difference between the 2011 and the 2012 CR V if you do not pay close attention.
Interior
The minimal changes in the exterior made the alterations in the interior more noticeable. You can find familiar Honda parts with a new look as well as the thick rimmed steering wheel. The gauge cluster has been subdued more but not to the extent of making it difficult for the driver to see.
The seats are covered with leather. The center stack is dominated by a navigation system unit. Although the navigation system looks a little old, it is intuitive and is very easy to use. Some car owners who use new navigation systems tag the CR-V’s “outdated and confusing.”
It is interesting to note that there are times when small things make great difference and this time it happens with the new CR-V. The navigation system has a three mode camera that provides a wide angle view, a standard view, and a view where you can see downward in a 90 degree angle to look out for protruding objects such as barriers and poles. Another thing worthy of your notice is the roomier compartment.
On top of this, you can simply pull a single lever to entirely fold the back seats. That lets you put more stuff into the car, from your usual groceries to furniture. This engineering is indeed impressive enough that you could buy a unit simply because of it.
Safety
As for safety, the Honda CR-V is a top pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and scores well in the criteria set by the National Traffic Safety Administration.
Pros
Honda takes pride in the fuel efficient engine of the CR-V as well as the family friendliness that it brings. So if you are more after fuel efficiency, comfort and safety for your family with a bit of classy styling, there is no reason not to consider the new Honda CR-V.
Cons
One thing that consumers always complain about is the Honda CR V’s gearing which makes it slow. In fact, it is believed to be the slowest in its class. However, that does not deter car owners from buying the CR-V for a certain philosophy: you do not get entertainment just from how your car accelerates.
If you want a crossover that has adequate room, better gas mileage, family friendly and well priced. The 2012 Honda CR-V is right for you.
Competition
In one of the ever-growing segments in the SUV market, the CR-V has been compared to the Toyota RAV4 (MSRP $22,650; 22 city / 28 hwy), the Subaru Forester (MSRP $26,595; 21 city / 27 hwy), and the 2013 Ford Escape (MSRP $25,070; 22 city / 30 hwy).
Overall Rating
What others say:
“The 2012 Honda CR-V is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles its size, but its tall gear ratios mean that it’s not reproducible everywhere.”Car Connection
“CR-V is compact-car maneuverable and reasonably fun to drive. Body lean in fast turns is kept in check. The steering is nicely weighted, communicative, and accurate. The brakes provide very good stopping control.”Consumer Guide
“A redesigned CR-V is on sale, but it’s not a radical departure from the current CR-V. It is a little roomier, said to get better fuel economy and be slightly quieter. The carryover four-cylinder engine sees slight output increase with 185 horsepower. ”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports
“The Honda CR-V has long been one of our favorite compact crossover SUVs, and a redesign for 2012 makes it even more appealing.”Edmunds
“While a bounty of changes inside and out endow the 2012 Honda CR-V with a new level of user-friendly appeal, this latest incarnation retains its signature car-like driving feel and superb flexibility while delivering even better fuel economy.”KBB
