For 2015, the Honda CR-V crowd gets a brand new model. Bringing a new look, new standard options and plenty of new technology, the 2015 CR-V is bound to keep fighting for the title of the best selling SUV in the US. Now, we’re taking a closer look at it straight from the Paris Motor Show floor.
The first thing you’re going to notice are the design changes. Up front the car receives new headlamps, a new front grille as well as fog lights while round the back there’s a new bumper, LED combination lamps and a new tailgate design. Those are just the styling differences though, the big changes happening beneath the skin.
This new plant will be making 160 HP and 350 Nm of torque and can be hooked up to the manual 6-speed gearbox that helps it achieve a CO2 emission rating of under 130 g/km. Surprisingly, when hooked up to the 9-speed auto, the rating goes up to 135 g/km. A 120 HP 1.6-liter i-DTEC will continue to be available, in two-wheel drive versions with a manual transmission.
There’s good news too however: all trim levels get more standard options. The most popular one, the EX is now available with 17” aluminum wheels, sunroof, privacy glass, fog lights, security system, cargo cover, fully automatic headlights, tweeter speakers, body colored door handles and mirrors, variable speed windshield wipers, USB jack, seatbelt pockets and illuminated vanity mirrors.
However, few of them come as standard and only on higher-level models like the new Touring trim level. Prices for the new CR-V start at MSRP $23,320 for the FWD LX version in the US. Pricing for the European continent hasn’t been released yet.
9-speed automatic gearbox introduced on European markets
The biggest news has to be the addition of the 9-speed automatic gearbox on the CR-V, though, even if the 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel will now be replaced by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit in Europe.This new plant will be making 160 HP and 350 Nm of torque and can be hooked up to the manual 6-speed gearbox that helps it achieve a CO2 emission rating of under 130 g/km. Surprisingly, when hooked up to the 9-speed auto, the rating goes up to 135 g/km. A 120 HP 1.6-liter i-DTEC will continue to be available, in two-wheel drive versions with a manual transmission.
What about the US market?
For the US, things are a bit different. There’s only one engine choice available right now and that’s a new 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine featuring an inline 4-cylinder architecture, making 181 lb-ft (245 Nm) of torque and 185 HP. Furthermore, you can only have it connected to a CVT automatic gearbox.There’s good news too however: all trim levels get more standard options. The most popular one, the EX is now available with 17” aluminum wheels, sunroof, privacy glass, fog lights, security system, cargo cover, fully automatic headlights, tweeter speakers, body colored door handles and mirrors, variable speed windshield wipers, USB jack, seatbelt pockets and illuminated vanity mirrors.
New technology available for a price
Honda took the time to bring some new tech to the 2015 CR-V model and the SUV is now available with Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, a power tailgate, Lane Keeping Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, adaptive cruise control and memory seats amongst others.However, few of them come as standard and only on higher-level models like the new Touring trim level. Prices for the new CR-V start at MSRP $23,320 for the FWD LX version in the US. Pricing for the European continent hasn’t been released yet.