Refreshed 2015 Honda CR-V shatters all time sales record
Tuesday news found American Honda Motors announcing yet another volume record for car and light truck sales in North America. At the top of the list is America’s best selling SUV.
Honda’s on a roll, and Honda division senior v.p. and general manager Jeff Conrad couldn't be happier. He see’s Honda’s unprecedented success continuing well into the future. With 2016 Honda HR-V looming on the horizon, I agree with Jeff.
I had the rare opportunity of conversing with Mr. Conrad this fall in Huntington Beach, California at the press unveiling of the much refreshed 2015 Honda CR-V. You may read our “Surf City” drive experience here.
At that time, the best selling SUV in North America 7 out of the last 10 years, CR-V continues an unprecedented rise in popularity with November 2014 sales out-pacing the previous year by an amazing 37.7% in a class that has no shortage of offerings.
With 32,378 units sold in November, CR-V outsells Ford Escape, Mazda 5, Nissan Pathfinder,Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester and other comers in the compact and midsize SUV segment.
Honda has taken CR-V to new sales volume highs by increasing standard featured value, horsepower and torque while holding the $ bottom line. In comparing 2015 CR-V to the 2014 offering, Torque News discovers that Honda is actually comping the buyer with no less than $600 in no-charge upgrades and active safety features.
The difference is measurable. In driving 2015 CR-V we discovered a much improved ride over last year’s offering, less interior noise, ergonomic improvements; including comfortable seating, higher quality fabrics and soft-touch surfaces. Where the pedal hits the floor boards we found a much more responsive “EarthDreams” direct injected i-VTEC engine offering greater mid-range torque and a much improved CVT transmission.
For good measure Honda engineering reduced the brake pedal pressure, improved the active ride stability while increasing fuel economy by 8%, all good, at no extra charge. Note: 2015 CR-V is the best handling to date, remains stable in aggressive country road cornering, uphill and downhill transitions. We also find a directional lined back-up camera throughout the lineup, very handy when maneuvering CR-V in city traffic and parking lots. Love it!
2015 Honda CR-V Touring: For those wishing for a bit more luxury without losing small SUV utility, Honda offers the top of the line CR-V Touring Edition. You’ll find niceties like 8 way adjustable driver’s seat, premium leather surfaces, Honda-Link ™ and Bluetooth personal connectivity.
Also for 2015, CR-V Touring features a powered rear hatch, premium rims and a pallet of custom exterior and interior color availability. Thanks to much improved road noise deadening, thicker carpeting and pad, improved structural integrity and sound absorbing, vibration isolating body mounts, CR-V Touring is the quietest small SUV in its segment.
You may read the factory specifications here. Priced $23,320(FWD LX) to $31,520(AWD,CVT) there just may be a Honda CR-V for all budgets and needs.This may be why Honda CR-V remains the number one selling SUV in North America.