By: Dave Abrahams
Johannesburg - Honda's CR-V compact SUV has been revised - inside, outside and under the skin - for 2015, and the model line-up simplified to help customers make sense of all the new gizmotronics.
But under it all, there's a sense of wonderment at how radically you can re-invent a modern car without touching the sheet metal body-shell components - which would require prohibitively expensive new press-tools.
All the bolt-on components at the front are new - starting with a chrome-detailed, black-meshed grille with a gloss-black horizontal blade, longer, slimmer headlight clusters with wrap-around LED daytime running lights, more prominent fog lights and an aluminium-look front scuff plate.
Bolder tail-light clusters, a big chromed trim across the tailgate and a new rear bumper with a matching scuff-plate (to the one at the front, Cyril!) make the 2015 CR-V slightly longer, marginally wider and visually noisier than its predecessor.
But that's not all perception; the track actually is 15mm wider, front and rear, thanks to reworked suspension geometry with revised camber angles, different bushes and new dampers, for a smoother ride. And while they were busy the slide-rule sensei took the opportunity to shorten the steering-rack ratio by eight percent for sharper steering.
They also doubled the thickness of the door seals, upgraded the carpets and revised the sound absorption materials to reduce wind noise by a claimed six percent.
NEW DASHBOARD
There's now an armrest between the front seats that slides 60mm fore and aft, while the 60/40 split rear seats fold flat at the pull of a handle to clear a 1120-litre cargo bay - but more importantly, a new dashboard moulding accommodates a seven-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system on all models except the entry-level Comfort.
The system uses the same pinch, swipe and tap gestures as current-generation smartphones to access trip computer data, audio, telephony, FM/AM tuner and the rear-view parking camera.
MODEL RANGE
The 2015 Honda CR-V range consists of six models spanning four specification levels, two engine choices and two transmission options starting, as before, with the 2.0 Comfort.
Motorvation is courtesy of the proven 1997cc i-VTEC four, delivering 114kW at 6500revs and 192Nm at 4000rpm, driving the front wheels via your choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.
Honda quotes 0-100 in 10 seconds flat for the manual and 12.4 for the self-shifter, top speeds of 190 and 185km/h, and fuel consumption of 7.7 litres per 100km and 7.6 litres per 100km respectively, thanks to longer gearing.
Roof rails and 17-inch alloys shod with 225/65 radials are standard issue, as are cloth trim, a six-speaker front-loading radio/CD/MP3 player with auxiliary jack and USB port, multifinction steering wheel adjustable for both reach and rake, power windows and mirrors, dual-zone auto aircon, cruise control and rear parking sensors.
ELEGANCE
The two Elegance versions are mechanically identical to their Comfort siblings, but come with leather upholstery, power-adjustable, heated front seats, a 'mommy mirror' to let the driver keep an eye on the peanut gallery, adjustable armrests and, of course, the aforementioned seven-inch touchscreen-driven infotainment system.
Retractable side mirrors are part of the deal, as are front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera linked to the touchscreen display.
EXECUTIVE AWD
The 2.4 Executive comes with a 2354cc four-cylinder i-VTEC rated for 140kW at 7000 revs and 220Nm at 4300rpm. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission choice, and all-wheel drive is standard.
Standstill to 100km/h takes 11.1 seconds, terminal velocity is 190km/h and the damage is quoted at a nominal 8.6 litres per 100km.
Eighteen-inch alloys and high-intensity discharge headlights with active cornering lights and integral washers replace the lower models' 17-inch hoops and halogen lights; inside you get a power-operated sunroof, smart entry and keyless stop/start.
EXCLUSIVE AWD
This is the new CR-V flagship model, mechanically identical to the 2.4 Executive but with a raft of new gizmotromics, including electronic seatbelt pre-tensioners, adaptive cruise control, lane assistance and collision-mitigation braking.
PRICES
2.0 Comfort - R347 400
2.0 Comfort AT - R362 400
2.0 Elegance - R394 400
2.0 Elegance AT - R409 400
2.4 Executive AWD AT - R508 400
2.4 Exclusive AWD AT - R544 400
Prices include a three-year or 100 000km warranty and a five-year or 90 000km service plan, at intervals of 15 000km.