2016 Honda CR-V Review

Detailed Review

The Honda CR-V may not be the fastest or best-handling compact crossover SUV on the road, but it shines in other crucial things.

The 2016 CR-V is powered by a 2.4-liter direct-injection engine that comes standard and makes for great fuel efficiency while delivering 185 horsepower.

When traction loss is detected, the Real-Time All-Wheel-Drive immediately shifts power to the rear wheels, improving grip. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) provides smooth acceleration and improved fuel economy without losing performance.

Honda CR-V Grades

1. 2015 Honda CR-V LX– It comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, a blind-spot mirror, full power accessories, keyless entry, a rearview camera, cruise control, air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split-folding and reclining seat with trunk-mounted fold handles, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, an iPod/USB audio interface and Pandora Internet radio control.
2. 2015 Honda CR-V EX- It adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, fog lights, body-colored mirrors, door handles (instead of the LX’s black plastic), rear privacy glass, a cargo cover, and a six-speaker sound system.
3. 2015 Honda CR-V EX-L– This trim adds roof rails, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power driver seat with two-way power lumbar, heated front seats, leather upholstery, satellite radio, and a seven-speaker sound system that includes a subwoofer.

Interior legroom & Space

The 2016 CR-V’s cabin is one of the most practical in the market. There is plenty of room for rear passengers, and all three seating positions recline and feature child safety seat LATCH anchor connections. Upfront, there’s enough room, especially with the added adjustability that comes with the optional power driver seat, which gives you a better view and a feeling of spaciousness.

Exterior

The Honda CR-V has an attractive design and a nicely remodeled interior that eliminates some of the vehicle’s older, plasticky decor.

The basic shape has remained unchanged from the 2012 model year. The 2016 CR-V retains its boxy, upright appearance, but conceals it behind a tapering rear end that can give the vehicle a bulbous appearance from the rear. 

Overall, the CR-V sports an efficient design that maximizes passenger and cargo space.

Safety

Six airbags and stability control are included as standard in the CR-V. Honda LaneWatch, a clever camera positioned in the right door mirror that displays a video image of the right-hand blind spot on the central display whenever the driver signals for a right turn or lane change, is available on all models except the LX.

A comprehensive array of new safety technology is available on the highest Touring trim level. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, as well as lane-departure warnings and steering correction, are among the new active-safety features.

Fuel Consumption

2016 Honda CR-V Fuel Tank Capacity: 58 Litres

2016 Honda CR-V 2.4L Petrol Fuel Consumption: 10.41Km/L
2016 Honda CR-V 2.0L Petrol Fuel Consumption: 8.2Km/L
2016 Honda CR-V 2.2L Diesel Fuel Consumption: 6.4Km/L

2016 Honda CR-V Acceleration

2016 Honda CR-V 2.4L Petrol accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.7 secs
2016 Honda CR-V 2.0L Petrol accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 12.5 secs
2016 Honda CR-V 2.2L Diesel accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.1 secs

Stability and Handling

Honda has gone to considerable lengths to give the CR-V the aura of sophistication you would expect from a car that has been around for so long and to make it competitive with the better-driving cars in the compact SUV market. Although there is more ground clearance than before, its manufacturer notes that this has not come at the expense of a higher center of gravity.

From a handling perspective, the CR-V is not one of the more engaging or composed compact SUVs on the market. Although handling is safe and grip levels are adequate, body control is just average and the car does not change directions in a particularly agile manner.

The suspension is effective in both city traffic and at leisurely cross-country speeds; however larger lumps and bumps experienced at higher speeds do disturb the cabin’s softly sprung calm.

Service Intervals
Minor Service – Done at 10,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service – Done at 15,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
A few years back, Honda spares parts were expensive and not easily available in Kenya. Things have significantly improved with the parts now being cheaper and easier to find. Service parts are readily available in major towns and comparable in price to those of its competitors. On the other hand, body parts such as headlights can be expensive and sometimes hard to find.

Resale Value: Average

Honda CR-V Competitors: Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Vanguard, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5 Toyota RAV4

Cost of Ownership
See Latest Honda CRV Prices

What We Like

• Premium design
• Spacious interior
• Good fuel economy

Conclusion

The 2016 Honda CR-V is an improvement over its predecessor in most respects, and while it cannot match the class leaders in terms of power, performance, or driving dynamics, it does a better job than most in this market of being a family-friendly midsize SUV.