Honda CR-V: 2018 Motor Trend SUV of the Year Finalist

We Like: Its competence, equipment levels, and safety features

We Don’t Like: The heavy-handed exterior design

The Honda CR-V is bigger and more substantial than the model it replaces, a perception reinforced by exterior styling that is a touch heavy-handed. Inside, it’s a different story. “This is about the swankiest interior ever seen on the CR-V,” technical director Frank Markus said. Swanky and practical, with a ton of storage room and useful touches such as USB ports for the rear seat passengers.

Two engines are available, both of which drive through a CVT. The entry-level LX is powered by the 184-hp, 180-lb-ft 2.4-liter naturally aspirated inline-four carried over from the previous generation. The EX, EX-L, and Touring models get a new 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, which develops 190 hp and 179 lb-ft. The CVT works beautifully with the new engine, keeping it humming right where the torque curve is fattest and ensuring good response.

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On the road, the CR-V chassis is consistent and predictable. The steering is light but accurate and the ride tightly controlled, keeping the CR-V confidently planted through corners. “I’m impressed by how quickly this Honda is capable of going down a canyon road,” Scott Evans said.

The new CR-V is a thoughtfully executed crossover. It has space for your stuff. It won’t punish you at the gas pump. It keeps you safe out on the road. The Honda Sensing driver assistance system—which includes lane keeping assist, active cruise control, and collision prevention and is fitted to all models apart from the base LX—leads the segment. And it’s even fun to drive when you want it to be.

2017 Honda CR-V AWD Touring
BASE PRICE	$34,635
PRICE AS TESTED	$34,635
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
ENGINE	1.5L/190-hp/179-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION	Cont variable auto
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,481 lb (57/43%)
WHEELBASE	104.7 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	180.6 x 73.0 x 66.5 in
0-60 MPH	7.5 sec
QUARTER MILE	15.9 sec @ 88.4 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	129 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.79 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	28.0 sec @ 0.61 g (avg)
REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB	21.9/34.2/26.1 mpg
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	27/33/29 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	125/102 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.66 lb/mile

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