The best-selling compact crossover vehicle, the Honda CR-V, comes back for 2010 with some “refinements and upgrades,” the automaker says, including new features, more power and improved fuel economy.
One of the vehicles that created the crossover segment, the CR-V was introduced for 1997 — in answer to Toyota's rollout a year earlier of the similar RAV4.
Both were among the first wave of compact car-based utility vehicles, although not the first. Subaru came out with the Legacy Outback Wagon in 1995, which some contend was the first modern crossover utility vehicle.
Whoever gets the credit, the CR-V remains one of the most-popular models the genre has produced, and they're on the road everywhere. They're quite resilient vehicles, too. We have a 1997 model in our family and it's still going strong at nearly 13 years old.
For 2010, the CR-V gets a new front fascia, hood, grille and bumper, and a new rear bumper.
Ten-spoke alloy wheels are now standard on the CR-V EX and EX-L models, replacing the 2009 model's seven-spoke wheels.
Inside, some new technology is available, including a Bluetooth hands-free telephone link on models that have the navigation system.
Also new are such convenience features as automatic headlights and wider center armrests, standard on all models, Honda says. The center armrests are an inch wider for both the driver and front passenger.
The 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine now cranks out 180 horsepower, which is up 14 from the 2009 CR-V. Yet fuel economy has been slightly increased — up one mpg in both city and highway driving for all models.
New EPA ratings are 21 city/28 highway on front-wheel-drive models, and 21/27 on those with Honda's Real Time 4WD system.
The CR-V can seat up to five people rather comfortably, and there is a roomy 35.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats.
No third seat is offered, however, which puts the CR-V at a competitive disadvantage to the comparably sized RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander, both of which are available with seven-passenger seating.
The CR-V keeps the same exterior dimensions as before, with a 177.9 overall length and a 103.1-inch wheelbase.
Passenger volume remains at 103.8 cubic feet, which, when combined with the cargo space, gives the vehicle more space than the typical large sedan, Honda says.
Prices for 2010 range from $21,545 (plus $710 freight) for the base LX two-wheel-drive model to $29,745 for the EX-L model with navigation (the “L” stands for leather), which is the most fully equipped version. Honda does not have a separate list of options for its vehicles the way most other automakers do.
The vehicle gets new seat fabrics, interior door handles, steering-wheel trim, and gear shifter, as well as darker brown carpet in models with the ivory interior.
EX-L models with or without the navigation system now come with a USB connection for direct access to music from iPods, iPhones and other MP3 players.
The background for the Multi-Information Display is now blue instead of black, and there is a compass included on EX and EX-L models without the navigation system. On models with navigation, the Bluetooth information shows up on the display screen.
Cubbies abound in the car to help keep personal items out of sight when the vehicle is parked. A tray in the center console can keep cell phones and iPods accessible and secure when the vehicle is under way. The center console can hold even large handbags.
The rear seat has a 60/40 split-folding design to allow for expansion of the cargo area to a total of 72.9 cubic feet. There are two child safety seat tethers.
A dual rear cargo deck, included on uplevel models, can hold an item such as a stroller below, and can carry groceries above, keeping them separated and organized.
Among standard safety features are Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure; electronic stability control; roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for both rows of seats, with a rollover sensor; front seat-mounted side air bags; active front head restraints; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist; and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
Three trim levels are offered, and four-wheel drive is available at any level.
LX models come air conditioning with air-filtration system, keyless entry, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, power windows with auto-up/down on the driver's side, power door and tailgate locks, AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, a fuel economy meter and 17-inch steel wheels.
Midlevel EX models also get a one-touch tilt power moon roof, chrome grille and rear license plate trim, rear privacy glass, security system, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, the dual-deck cargo shelf, an audio system upgrade with six-disc in-dash CD changer and six speakers, exterior temperature indicator, vanity mirror lights, the digital compass, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The EX-L version comes with leather seats and armrests, heated front seats, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, XM satellite radio, the USB audio interface, and the automatic headlights.
Optional is the Honda Navigation System with Voice Recognition and rearview camera, which also brings a premium audio system with seven speakers, including a subwoofer, the Bluetooth connection, and a six-disc CD changer in the center console replaces the one in the dash.
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