At first glance, the 2012 CR-V looks like a lightly tweaked version of last year’s vehicle, but place the two side by side and you can see that the new one has all-new body panels, a lower roof, a bigger interior and improved fuel economy. It is smoother and more refined although the test car’s cabin had a bit more wind or tire noise than I expected.
Prices range from $22,295 for a two-wheel-drive LX to $29,795 for an all-wheel-drive EX with leather and navigation. A rear-seat entertainment system is now an option in the EX-L. That model starts at $28,995.
The redesign reflects the trend for compact crossover SUVs to be more like tall station wagons and less like tiny trucks. The Honda’s softer styling and coupe-like window line and rounded tailgate makes it look sporty and less utilitarian, but in fact, it is more practical than ever because of the revised back seat and larger cargo area.
Folding the back seat is now quick and simple. All it takes is a tug on the release lever and the seat flops into folded position. The lever is at the back seat and another is toward the back of the cargo area. The cargo space is deeper, too, in spite of the slightly lower roofline.
The engine is the same 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, but it has a small horsepower bump to 185. This four-valve engine responds with good muscle at low rpm because it has a wide power band. The transmission is a five-speed automatic, where many competing vehicles have a six-speed automatic. Fuel economy is now rated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway for all-wheel drive and 23 city and 31 highway for front-wheel drive.
A button on the dash engages an economy mode that helps improve fuel economy by reducing the sensitivity of the throttle. Performance was slightly duller with ECON selected, but not dramatically different. The ECON button also alters the cruise control and climate control operation for greater fuel efficiency.
A new, electronically activated all-wheel-drive system reacts faster to provide optimum traction, yet it is 17 percent lighter and has 60 percent less internal friction. It sends power to the rear wheels when starting from a stop, and works in concert with the vehicle stability system, which the previous model did not. This system functions at all speeds, where the previous system did not engage the rear wheels at high speeds.
The restyled instrument panel is pleasantly configured. Illuminated arcs located on either side of the speedometer show if the vehicle is being driven in an efficient style. Similar to systems used on the Insight, CR-Z and Civic, these bars change color to show when your driving style is the most efficient.
The cockpit feels spacious, in part because of the deep dash and sloping windshield. The steering wheel has audio controls on the left side and cruise control on the right.
All CR-V models are equipped with a rearview camera that offers normal, wide and top-down views of what is behind the vehicle. The image appears on the five-inch LCD situated in the center of the dash. The small screen also contains readouts for the Bluetooth hands-free link, XM radio, text messaging and Pandora internet radio connection via a cell phone
The CR-V has front, side and side-curtain airbags. Improved safety features include side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution. A tire pressure monitor is standard as well.
Price: The test CR-V was an EX-L with rear entertainment system. The base price was $28,995 and the sticker price was $29,805 with destination charges.
Warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles, with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
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