The Honda CR-V will hit showrooms in January equipped with a new heart and face, but because the Japanese maker is evidently quite satisfied with the sales performance of the SUV, it hasn't really fiddled too much with the formula.
So let's not bore you with too many details of what is a pretty standard facelift, including some fresh alloy designs, a re-designed bumper and grille, different interior fabrics and better interior plastics. We're assured of better quality fit and finish, and the audio controls are more intuitively arranged now too.
Honda has improved the sound deadening in the cabin as well, which means that if you specify the new 2.2-litre i-DTEC engine you'll hear less of it. It's already a pretty refined unit too, having debuted in the Accord last year, although it's had ten more horses squeezed out of it for the CR-V, now producing a healthy 148bhp. Torque climbs slightly to 258lb.ft at 2,000rpm, and it can be mated with a new five-speed automatic gearbox.
Equipment levels remain largely unchanged, with SE models getting 17-inch alloys, air conditioning and powered door mirrors, while higher ES spec gets an extra inch at all four corners, cruise control, dual-zone air con and parking sensors all around. Opt for EX and you're in Luxury Land, with xenon headlamps, heated leather chairs, satnav, auto wipers and lights and a prog rock spec premium stereo.
No prices or on sale date yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we do. No doubt it'll feature on Honda's stand in
Frankfurt.
Mark Nichol - 12 Sep 2009