Refinements enhance 2012 Honda CR-V’s appeal

BY JEFF TAYLOR For Sun-Times Media January 12, 2012 2:48PM

2012 HONDA CR-V

ENGINE: 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder

TRANSMISSION: five-speed manual

DRIVETRAIN: front-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 23 city/31 highway

BASE PRICE: $22,295 to $29,795

AS TESTED: not available

WEBSITE: honda.com

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First, let’s get the dings and dents out on the driveway. Technology is important, and I felt that some of the CR-V’s technology and controls looked and felt last generation. If the tech is not intuitive that can be a problem, although owners will become accustomed to the interface and operation.

You may not like the touch-screen navigation graphics, which look very basic. I found the digital buttons way too small, especially with gloves on. Going forward, distracted driving will be a big legislative issue and Honda takes it on, but with a two-pronged approach. There is cell phone and Pandora assimilation and audio text message broadcast, but you’ll need two different cell phones to use both features. Currently there isn’t a single phone that is compatible with both features. Also, cost considerations may have nixed the availability of heated and cooled seats, push-button start or the option for front/rear LED lights.

Honda, unlike Ford with the forthcoming Escape, indicated its customer base isn’t looking for more horses under the hood. So for 2012 the CUV sticks with the tried-and-true 2.4-liter four-cylinder now up five horses to 185. The transmission has only five gears and the spacing between some gears is wide. Fuel economy is up and leads the class due to some engine refinements. During testing the CR-V had just adequate power and acceleration.

If you go with an all-wheel-drive model the system has been upgraded to an electronically directed clutch pack to give power to the rear wheels in traction-compromised situations.

The new, fresher look has a bit of “minivan creep” in the front and rear yet still bears a connection to the old CR-V. Honda indicates that the 2012 body design is more aerodynamically efficient with a 1.0-inch lower roofline and the restyling trims almost an inch in length. The rear D pillars are thick and the rear windows are small, however, Honda does include a backup camera. Overall the revised exterior look is pleasing and harmonious.

The new exterior design doesn’t hurt the interior as the CR-V offers 39.3 inches of headroom (LX model) and even a tiny increase in passenger volume up 0.3 cubic feet to 104.1 cubic feet. The new, easy fold-down 60/40 split rear seats that allow you to take full advantage of the cargo area are a big improvement. Each side of the rear seats can fold nearly flat into the front of the cargo area via quick release levers in the rear or a pull strap positioned on the side of the seat.

Technical dings aside, the new interior features better (softer) materials, more storage areas and more cubby holes. I was able to get comfortable behind the wheel and in the rear seats. While headroom is good, leg room is average for those greater than 6 feet tall.

The new 2012 Honda CR-V should pick up close to where it left off for 2011, but the more powerful, more wagonlike Ford Escape could mount a strong challenge – I’ll let you know after I drive one.

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