All-New Honda CR-V Launch Tomorrow

Honda is all set to launch the new CR-V in its latest avatar here in India tomorrow (October 9 2018). The fifth-gen soft-roader comes to India over five years after the previous model, but it does feel like the CR-V has been here for much longer than that. That may be down to the fact that it failed to make as much of an impact as its previous generations. But then, that could also be attributed to the competition that has cropped up in the meanwhile, offering the one big thing which the Honda missed - a diesel engine. Honda is set to change all that with the new CR-V though.

The design may feel familiar, but this is in spite of the new CR-V being 47mm longer overall, 35mm wider and having a 40mm longer wheelbase. Honda’s designers need to be commended for this feat. More importantly, the new CR-V gets some bling to go with, what we expect to be, a price tag higher than the outgoing model. The CR-V is currently priced from Rs 21.54 lakh to Rs 26.69 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The new CR-V will be offered in a single trim with three different powertrains.

Highlights of the design include all-LED headlamps, LED DRLs, chrome bits all around, squared-off wheel arches, 18-inch alloy wheels (different designs for diesel and petrol variants), typical black cladding and redesigned taillamps. It does look more muscular than before but does not have the same bulk as some of the competition in the segment.

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There’s a big step up in the interior design and quality in the new CR-V. Now, you get an all-digital instrument cluster, new infotainment screen, subtle wood trim and buttons instead of the conventional gear lever.

The three-row configuration is only available with the diesel powertrain and has been specially designed in anticipation of a higher demand. 7-seater petrol SUVs are not in vogue currently, though Honda could change that if it does see a shift in customer priorities. As per our experience, the 7-seater configuration is not the best in the segment. The third row is not usable for adults and the second-row headroom suffers because of the roof-mounted vents for the third row.

Talking of powertrains, the CR-V will be available with either a 120PS/300Nm 1.6-litre diesel engine or a 154PS/189Nm 2.0-litre petrol motor. While the diesel engine is paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission sending power to either the front wheels or through an AWD system, the petrol engine is only available with a CVT sending power to the front wheels.

When launched, the CR-V will be on par with the competition in terms of features and space, and will offer the very important diesel engine too. But will it be priced aggressively enough to make an impact? We will have to wait till tomorrow to find out.

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