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2015 Honda CR-V interior best in class

Now that the smoke has cleared from Tuesday’s mudslide of CR-V reviews, we can get onto business. We believe that 2015 CR-V offers best in class interior comfort and utility.
20105_CR-V_Interior

Our Wednesday morning inbox and comment thread was filled with CR-V chatter. Without a doubt, the Honda loyal are taken by CR-Vs most recent manifestation, although it be a mild re-do; so the detractors would have you believe.

Without driving the latest CR-V incarnation a comment from a detractor is as baseless as pond water. One can’t measure the improvement of CR-V without making a side-by side comparison to the competition or driving the 2014 model.

We can state without reservation that Honda has taken a step in the right direction as to making the number one selling SUV in North America better, without appreciably increasing the price tag.

No, really Johnnie, it’s a better CR-V

You can read about CR-Vs engine and transmission updates here. Today we’re focusing on the interior.

Nothing is more important to a serious driver than the driver’s seat. Honda has not only upgraded the fabrics utilized in the LX, EX and EX-L seat trims, they've created a driver’s seat of quality, firm yet adjustable construction that will last the stated life of the vehicle.

On the high end(EX-L optional and Touring) one will discover the comfort afforded the driver by a 10 way power adjusted, heated, perforated leather seating area covered pilots seat. One would be hard pressed to find a better quality seat mounted on the floor of a 2015 TLX, it’s that good.

I had the pleasure of sitting shotgun for the portion of our Surf City, CR-V drive and review. While my co-driver was aggressively testing CR-V braking and turning stability, I experienced no loss of seating position in CR-Vs front passenger seat. At 6’ 5” I experienced minimum to no knee, dashboard contact. Hip, elbow and shoulder room was way above average for the small SUV segment as was headroom. Impressive!

Fit and finish, interior noise level 2015 CR-V MSRP and specifications here.

Honda was kind enough to provide Torque News with the opportunity to examine and test drive the competition.The second best selling SUV in North America is Ford’s Escape. While I like Escape for utility, in a side by side comparison to Honda CR-V, Escape falls flat on interior accommodations, overall ride characteristics, tech-connectivity and safety. And kindly put, Escape doesn’t present the esthetic package CR-V does. Nor did Nissan Rogue or Toyota Rav4.

As usual I’m getting a little long winded here

If I was to focus on one improvement made on CR-V for 2015 it would be the suspension and ride. My daily driver is a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica AWD. it was co-built with Mercedes Benz, weighs close to a thousand pounds greater than CR-V and packs close to 300 ponies under the hood. 24 valve V6 power does that. When purchased new the Pacifica left the showroom for a bit under $50,000. So, placing my personal driver to the side of the road, I’ll state with conviction that CR-V approaches the ride, handling and quiet of a car costing twice as much.

Honda’s done one heck of a job of reducing exterior noise transference, reducing body roll in S turns while improving the overall ride; not an easy thing to do in a relatively short-channeled vehicle sporting large rims and tires.

That’s nice, what about heat and air conditioning?

for 2015 Honda CR-V is equipped with rear seat positioned heating and air conditioning. Also, we note that CR-V sports superior 60/40 rear seating surfaces and a power hatch for Touring model buyers.

We’ll get into the upgraded electronics, active and passive safety features in our next CR-V article

Automotive News
Honda

Comments

Russ Davis (not verified)    October 3, 2014 - 5:23PM

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OK ,so the high end Touring has spectacular interior. Touring will only be a small percentage of CR-V overall sales. What is the interior of the LX and EX where the majority of CR-V sales will be. Now compare the LX and EX interiors to the same competitions comparative models. .Mazda has been the standout previously. You can't even find a 2015 CR-V to see much less testdrive in the Dallas area. One dealer even saying come back and see us in 30-45 days.. So much for going on sale Oct. 1.....

Parks McCants    October 4, 2014 - 11:50AM

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Good morning Russ. The LX and EX interior seating, fabric, sound insulation and suspension has been upgraded.There is a measurable difference($7000) between the LX and top-of the line touring, http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-v/ 10 way power seats, dash electronics and pasive safety, are but a few. Still a great driver. Nothing changes in the engine, transmission, suspension and interior styling. As far as dealership delivery? depends on the sales volume of the dealership and 2014 models remaing on the lot. If Mazda is a beter fit for you, buy it! ( you may wish to drive CR-V before doing so.) Take care.

Charkes (not verified)    October 4, 2014 - 4:05PM

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You are absolutely right. I Am holding off from bying the Mazda thinking the cr-v 2015 is better but it seems the waiting will make me buy the Mazda. BTW, The most important feature to me is the safety.

Rivers (not verified)    October 5, 2014 - 2:09AM

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Hi,

2015 CRV was not available in all near by location i.e. Jacksonville , fl
Can you please let us know when onwards CRV will go on sale to honda dealers. Dates mentioned in honda site looks incorrect becoz I have enquired all dealerships near by 150 mil for 2015 CRV.

Gary Kerr (not verified)    October 28, 2014 - 3:31PM

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i bought a 2015 Honda CRV EX model yesterday. The ride is very good and certainly superior to the 2015 Toyota RAV4. The interior is very nicely done and very comfortable. The controls are all placed where they should be and are easily accessible. The backup camera and the right hand mirror camera are very useful. I can't imagine driving without them now. It was a hard decision between the RAV4 and the CRV. I loved the styling, engine and panache of the RAV4 but the ride was just too firm for these old bones. The RAV4 in the "Hot Lava" color looked amazing but I went went with my head and not my heart. The CRV looks a lot less "sexy" than the RAV4 but the CRV is a much better overall suv.

Alley Meier (not verified)    November 10, 2014 - 3:45PM

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I work at a Honda dealership and a customer of mine noticed that in the older models of the CR-V there is lump on the right side of the driver's seat. He sat in the 15 and didn't notice that similar lump. His concern although was that the lumbar system would fail or begin to experience the same problem as the other older CR-Vs

Deborah (not verified)    January 30, 2015 - 11:38AM

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I just purchased my second Honda CR-V. This one is a 2015 EX. I noticed that the passenger's seat is finished nicely with tucking around the front and most of the side towards the driver but the driver's seat is left somewhat unfinished between the seat and the console. I requested an new seat the second one is the same way. The dealer checked and all the 2015 are the same way. Why is the driver's seat not neatly finished off between the two seats? It looks like poor quality workmanship to me. I've never had a complaint about my Hondas until now.

Russ (not verified)    January 30, 2015 - 6:19PM

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I purchased a 2015 EX. AWD 3 months and 4500 miles ago. I just checked my seats and actually both seats are somewhat unfinished on the sides nearest the console as others have noted. Sure didn't notice it before. I do like the 2015 CRV's quietness and handling but still haven't seen anything close to the advertised mileages of 29 and 33 highway for the AWD. We did a 1800 mile interstate hwy trip from Dallas to Denver with numerous highway only fillups and never did even see 30 mpg. 29.5 was the best we've seen on this vehicle and around 26 most of the time around town. The ECON button doesn't seem to have any effect on mileage in my opinion. I specifically waited for the 2015 for the Variable trans and even test drove one before purchase. That being said I'm actually not that fond of the Variable trans as it hesitates a lot when you are doing stop and go turns in a subdivision or parking lot. I'm getting use to it, however I don't deem it a plus over their 2014 trans in my book. Overall I'm happy with the vehicle and will probably hold on to it for the next 17 yrs like our previous 98 Honda Accord.

Parks McCants    January 30, 2015 - 7:58PM

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I agree with you Russ. The CVT does take a bit of getting used to. Tell me about the weather conditions on your trip to Denver. I'm assuming you encountered a bit of high wind conditions, cold temperatures, high elevations. Did you push the speed limit a bit on the journey? I know I would. As to fuel, what grade do you run in CR-V? You mention that the economy mode doesn't increase fuel efficiency. When do you use it, in town on the highway? I never looked closely between the seat and the center console. I have to tell you Russ, as with all manufactured goods, the 2015 Honda CR-V while a good lil' SUV may not hold the same(longevity) quality as your 98' Accord. I hope it does, only time will tell. Thanks for dropping in, much appreciated.