Unveiled at the end of 2016 in the United States, the new CR-V finally arrives in Europe. It will be offered for the first time with 7 seats and a hybrid engine, which will replace diesel.
A year and a half is the time that the fifth generation of CR-Vs will have to cross the Atlantic. If we understand Honda's willingness to give priority to the US market, where the CR-V is in the top 10 best-sellers, it's hard to understand how there can be such a delay nowadays. import into Europe.
Certainly, the CR-V plays the supporting roles in family SUVs on the Old Continent. But he will have two new assets to gain notoriety. The first is the arrival of a simple hybrid variant, still rare on the segment. It's finally the return of such a motorization at Honda in Europe, after the discontinuation of Jazz hybrid and Insight.
The CR-V will combine an Atkinson Cycle 2.0 gasoline engine with two electric blocks. The power and consumption values are not yet known. Honda will also offer a 1.5 turbo thermal block, available with a 6-speed manual transmission or CVT continuously variable transmission. Both versions will leave the choice between traction or 4x4.
The other new asset of the CR-V is the possibility of boarding 7 people, a first. Honda will attract a more family-oriented clientele and will better tackle the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq. Honda promises good access and especially good space for third-row passengers, which we will not fail to check during our first contact at the Geneva Motor Show. The tailgate benefits from a hands-free opening. You can adjust the opening height, to avoid banging on the ceiling.
The driving position opts for a sober presentation, far from the eccentricities that Honda has the secret. A good point for perceived quality printing. The instrumentation has a central screen of 7 inches.
Outside look, the silhouette of the CR-V evolves smoothly. Success in the USA encourages caution on the part of designers! Moreover, here too, we can say that Honda remains wise. We find typical elements of the CR-V, such as optics and the grille that form a set or the lights up along the telescope. The silhouette still wins muscle.
Deliveries of version 1.5 will begin this fall. For the hybrid, we will have to wait (again!) Early 2019.