With 18 all new or redesigned SUVs considered for Motor Trend’s SUV/Crossover of the Year, 2015 Honda CR-V walked away with top honors in North America’s fastest growing automotive segment; CR-V out-values the competition.
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2015 Motor Trend SUV/ Crossover of the year goes to Honda CR-V
Think Oscar night win for an Indie Film producer or director. Honda has cost-effectively and over-standard optioned the U.S. Big 3 automakers, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, Kia, Optima, Porsche and all comers in the fastest growing automotive segment in North America. 2015 Honda CR-V offers greatest standard feature value in class.
Built in Liberty Ohio, 4 generations and 2 million CR-Vs have been sold in North America.
Torque News-Honda was invited by American Honda Motors in September to participate in the 2015 CR-V roll-out. While skeptical at first,(CR-V was not my favorite Honda) we were blown away by the measurable improvements Honda has made to what was already North America’s best selling small SUV, 7 out of the past 10 year, I discovered the benefits of improved ride,“EarthDreams” engine and the best CVT transmission in the class.
For us, the drive was an eye opener and a game changer. Two weeks before we spent the weekend driving the Santa Cruz mountains in a 2014 CR-V and didn’t like it. I found the interior noise level to be high, ride harsh and lacking usable mid-range torque. It’s not that 2014 was a bad production year for CR-V.. Afterall, we had just stepped out a an Acura RLX; much like comparing apples to oranges.
2015 CR-V is the benchmark of the segment
What Honda has done here is take a small utility crossover, increased standard feature value, improved interior finishes, increased fuel efficiency and added torque to the midrange. Gone is the day of the high revving, gear searching, underpowered and cramped CR-V.
At 6’5” (I) found the much improved perforated leather covered driver’s seat to be infinitely adjustable and comfortable. All controls and gauges are placed within eye level and centered appropriately. Head and shoulder room is more than adequate and the rear 40/60 split rear bench is “ top of class for sitting comfort and legroom.
For the first time CR-V features rear centered heating and cooling. Well done Honda!
Ford Escape and Toyota Rav4 can’t touch Honda CR-V
We drove the competition while in Huntington Beach. None came close to the combined performance and creature-comfort attributes of 2015 Honda CR-V, none! While Ford Escape marks # 2 sales in the segment, its ride, power, electronics and overall finish quality pales in comparison to CR-V. There’s also a greenhouse (cage forward) tunnel-like visual inherent to the competition that you won’t find in CR-V. It’s not that the competition is bad, simply put, for the dollar spent, CR-V is that much better.
What we discovered
EarthDreams i-VTEC 4 cylinder: New, better fuel efficient and greater mid-range torque.
CVT:( continuous variable transmission) greater fuel economy and less automatic rev and gear search.
Improve ride: Honda has improved the suspension dampening on CR-V while reducing body roll in sweeping turns.
Discovering lower brake pedal pressure, better braking: Honda has reduced the required pedal compression pressure by 6 lbs while reducing brake heating and fade.
More value for the $: With a beginning MSRP of $23,900 + tax and applicable fees, Honda has incrementally increased the standard features on CR-V while holding the bottom line. Note: Honda has held the price increase on CR-V to below $250(Touring excluded) while adding $650 in standard features.
Higher quality interior finishes: Improved seating surfaces, soft plastic laminates and trims. Superior sound deadening, door and window seals.
Exterior improved grill styling,new rim design, cowling, mirrors and improved color pallet.
2015 CR-V Touring: Check it out, for those that want more, Touring offers all the bells and whistles, state of the art passive and active safety electronics, LaneWatch, crash avoidance, power liftgate and more.
You may read my driving experience with CR-V here.
Congratulates Honda for a job well done
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Having also just tested both
Having also just tested both the CRV Touring and the Ford Escape Titanium, I have to agree. The CRV seems to offer more value. Ford can offer more power at a higher MSRP, but I'm not sure why I would ever need that power. The really cool thing about this CUV segment, is that like the Accord/Fusion/Camry segment, all the vehicles are now really, really good. That CRV can stand out is pretty meaningful.
True enough John. Honda has
True enough John. Honda has hit a home run with CR-V. Thanks for dropping in.
While I own a 2012 crv I have
While I own a 2012 crv I have to say its handling is horrible. It sits on its hind quarters and wallows around like a marshmallow. My 2006 crv still sits in the garage next to it and it handles like a BMW in comparison. The 7-11 V was sort of in between the two in its handling characteristics. We decided to skip it for its bad looks. Now today I checked out a 15V and think it looks better than my 12. If they have done anything at all to improve the ride then I want one. I'm not sure who says the interior is nicer. The lx model is near identical to the last. I will look forward to driving one soon. How can it be worse?
Good morning Bill. I believe
Good morning Bill. I believe you'll find measurable over-all improvement in CR-V. let's us know how the test drive goes.
Drove our 2012 to the dealer
Drove our 2012 to the dealer and took a drive in a 2015. I'm here to tell you that the reviews are right on, the handling and ride are much improved - and I did not think the AWD 2012 was all that bad. The new model has been described in some sources as a tuning of the suspension and I think they got it right. It definitely doesn't roll as much, and the road noise is a lot quieter now. The CVT transmission also is a hit with me, I think it feels more in charge than the old geared transmission.
Good morning Dave. Thanks, we
Good morning Dave. Thanks, we try to be spot-on! Glad you enjoyed the improved CR-V.
No offense meant, but before
No offense meant, but before the americans and canadians got to taste what a crv should be, the japan and thai built has long incorporated most of the sporty features foumd in the current north american crv. Why, because there is no doubt, japan domestic market is the best vehicle all over the world. The techno trickled to thailand and then asians enjoy it. It does not apply however to all, especially diesel where asian diesel are obsolete and prehistoric.
I just found this site while
I just found this site while searching for comparisons between Ford Escape and the Honda CRV. I have narrowed down my choices for my next vehicle to one of these two cars. I really am not concerned about resale value since I plan to drive it until it is ready for the the auto graveyard just like my current car a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. I would be replacing my old car with a new Santa Fe but it doesn't have the good gas mileage that the CRV and the Escape offer.
I like the ride and feel of both of the cars but I prefer the look and interior of the Escape. I wish I had a a crystal ball that could guide me on what to do. I am a widow who will be buying her first car without the help of her hubby and am looking for as much advise/help that I can get going forward.
Suzie they're booth reliable,
Suzie they're booth reliable, good looking cars. I personally prefer Honda's CVT transmission and ride quality, but that's a personal preference. If the higher residual resale value of HR-V is not a deciding point for you; go with the vehicle that you're initially more comfortable with. look to the extended warranty and standard features for initial purchase value consideration. Best of luck...