By no means a newcomer to the market, Honda’s CR-V LX is worthy of consideration if you are shopping for a small/medium SUV with all the trimmings.
It’s Honda’s top of the range CR-V priced at $44,290 and as such, features a swag of goodies to make driving safer, easier and more comfortable.
This one is the all-wheel drive model and is only offered in a five seat configuration, if you want seven pews, it has to be the 2WD (front wheel drive) version.
Underneath, the LX is the same as most of the current CR-V range except for the base model which has a 2.0-litre, non-turbo, petrol engine. The LX runs a 1.5 turbo, petrol four cylinder with the benefits of strong performance and OK fuel consumption.
Honda has essentially downsized their engine capacity but up scaled the technology with a raft of efficiency and reliability boosting internal components including chain driven camshafts, direct fuel injection and forged connecting rods and crankshaft.
All are straight out of the high performance engine tuner’s handbook.
It’s a lot of car (1630kg) for a 1.5 to move but once you get the number out of your head, all is good. The CR-V drives like there’s a 2.5 naturally aspirated engine under your foot.
There’s a hefty whack of advanced driver assist technology along with the obligatory leather, premium audio and dual zone climate control.
Exterior
It looks pretty good especially the tough, truck-like frontal styling but I am not a fan of the scythe- shaped curved tail lights. The convex tail gate complete with integrated spoiler has benefits in terms of interior space which is a strong point of the CR-V.
It has a fairly standard looking “two box” SUV-style profile but the look is sharpened with various styling creases in the side panels and decent looking 18-inch alloys under wheel arches with black plastic spats.
I like the swept back look as your eyes track along the side of the CR-V.
CR-V looks distinctive that’s for sure with much more presence than plenty of other offerings in the medium SUV segment.
Interior
Inside is roomy and grey with possibly too many hard plastic and faux metal surfaces this far up the price scale.
However, the actual dash looks good and is functional with the usual centre mounted info screen and a fat wheel with multiple controls incorporated. Numerous cup holders dot the five seat cabin featuring a large load space.
As the top of the range, CR-V LX scores leather and other goodies to lift the interior look and feel.
The dash itself is fairly generic in appearance with a binnacle for the digital speedo and other meters along with four vents and an array of buttons and switches.
Nothing much to say here…
Features
There’s plenty going on here for the $44,290 ask with goodies like;
- Honda Sensing driver assistance
- All-wheel drive
- Electric tailgate
- Hardwired SUNA satnav
- Dual zone climate control
- Auto headlights and wipers
- Full size spare
- Reverse camera
- Heated seats
- LED headlights
- Active noise cancelling
Drive and Engine
Power comes from a comparatively small capacity, 1.5-litre, direct injection, 4-cylinder, petrol engine with integrated turbocharger.
The latter runs at a relatively high 1.3 bar (18.5psi) boost but engine internals are forged metal for superior strength and reliability.
The engine is good for 140kW and 240Nm… sufficient to propel the weighty CR-V LX with plenty of pep.
But fuel economy rates a relatively unimpressive 7.8-litres/100km. By comparison, the new RAV4 Hybrid consumes around 5.0-litres/100km and delivers on par performance, perhaps better.
It’s quiet inside thanks to the noise cancelling system but sound deadening and the engine itself are optimised for interior comfort.
Off the mark performance is strong right through to redline at around 6000rpm.
Towing something would be interesting in fuel consumption terms.
A CVT stepped “automatic” with paddle shift is used to good effect as it functions a lot like a conventional auto except when using full throttle where you get the usual CVT engine slurring up to peak revs while the car “catches up”.
Handling and ride are on the sporty side of the comfort ledger meaning the CR-V is controlled and predictable to drive through a range of speeds. Dual pinion steering gives more feel/control.
However, it is an SUV and not a sports car…
Like the multi drive modes.
Safety
Five stars here augmented here by the excellent Honda Sensing package of advanced driver assist technology like lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking low speed follow, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning and plenty more.
Have to say the lane watch left turn projection seems superfluous when you have mirrors doing the same job…
Having a clever electronic all-wheel drive system also aids safety though it is on- demand which means the front wheel have to be skidding or sliding before the rears kick in – possibly too late.
Good Bits
- Impressive safety package
- Strong engine performance
- Looks distinctive
Not So Good Bits
- Lane watch???
- Can be thirsty
- Pessimistic forward collision warning
Summary
Yeh, don’t mind the CR-V LX. It goes well, looks good and is well featured but against the new Japan-built RAV4, it misses out a bit especially on fuel economy when compared with the hybrid RAV and on drive feel.
Facts and Figures: 2019 Honda CR-V LX AWD
- Engine: 1.5L four-cylinder turbo petrol producing 140kW/240Nm
- Transmission: multi-speed CVT
- Warranty: 5 years/ unlimited km
- Safety: Five stars
- Origin: Thailand
- Price: from $44,290 MLP*
*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.
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Author: Peter Barnwell
Rating: 3.0/5