Go Flat Out’s most viewed article for the past few weeks have been anything related to the arrival of Honda’s all-new CR-V, and we’re just as excited as anyone else, particularly because I, myself, am looking to replace our CR-V soon. Only this time, it has the added benefit of cutting-edge features, 7-seats, and Honda’s first ever diesel engine in this side of the world.
The Honda CR-V has a modern and assertive look, thanks to a front end that is chunky, whilst having a sleekness that many crossovers possess. Aiding the assertive looks are the standard LED daytime running lights, full LED tail lights, and two-tone alloy wheels. The controversial rear-end of the previous generation CR-V has been revised to now have a more traditional design, something very akin to a Volvo, due to its vertical LED tail lights. Ground clearance is up from this generation, 198 mm for the 2WD version, and 201 mm for the SX AWD version.
Inside, the CR-V is leaps and bounds better in interior quality than past generations. There’s a genuine upmarket sense inside the CR-V, with a pleasant mix of different textures, surfaces, and materials. Highlighting the interior is a (faux) stitched soft dashboard, “floating” 7-inch Display Audio on all but the base V diesel variant, and a TFT LCD instrument cluster that replaces the analog gauges, a design trait that first appeared in the 10th generation Honda Civic. The interior also has a great deal of sound deadening measures implemented, with an Acoustic Windshield glass and plenty of sound insulation all around. Honda engineers have said that they benchmarked the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 in making the CR-V’s interior a quiet place to be.
The CR-V has 4 variants in two engine choices. Honda’s 2.0 liter SOHC i-VTEC continues to be the CR-V’s base engine, while the much-hyped 1.6 i-DTEC turbo diesel is the highlight of this generation of the CR-V. The 2.0 i-VTEC engine produces 154 hp and 189 Nm of torque, and is mated to an Earth Dreams CVT.
The headlining 1.6 i-DTEC diesel produces 120 hp and 300 Nm of torque, which is down from 160 hp and 350 Nm from what the Thai model has. It is a detuned version of the i-DTEC diesel which is also found in Europe. It is still mated, however, to a shift-by-wire 9-speed automatic transmission. A button shifter replaces the traditional gear lever, freeing up space in the center console.
All variants are generously equipped. Standard features across all variants include the aforementioned LED daytime running lights, full LED rear lights, smart entry with push button start, low tire pressure alert, multi-angle reverse camera, Hill Start Assist (HSA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Agile Handling Assist (AHA) for better cornering and sportier driving, and a first in its class Driver Attention Assist. Drive Attention Assist monitors your facial expressions, and steering movements, and then alerts the driver if the CR-V senses that you are falling asleep while driving. This feature is usually seen in high-end luxury cars, and it’s offered as a standard feature in the CR-V. We applaud Honda for generously providing safety features to the consumers, and we believe ABS and any form or electronic stability control should be standard on all cars.
CR-V V i-DTEC: P1,569,000
V serves as the base variant in terms of features (shown here). The V variant has projector-type halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, and a smaller, 5-inch LCD infotainment screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Only the diesel is offered for the V variant.
CR-V S i-VTEC: P1,539,000/i-DTEC: P1,759,000
The CR-V S variant has two engine choices, the other being the aforementioned base 2.0 i-VTEC engine. Getting the i-VTEC engine also eliminates the third-row option. This S variant gains full LED headlights, LED foglights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a huge suite of 6 airbags, a 7-inch Display Audio touch screen infotainment system with Navigation, HDMI, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hotspot. Honda’s LaneWatch Blind Spot Camera also becomes a standard feature in the S variants.
CR-V SX i-DTEC: P2,049,000
The cream of the crop of the CR-V SX variant, and is only available with the diesel engine. This variant is fully loaded to the gills, with a panoramic sunroof, hands free powered trunk, panoramic sunroof, automatic high beams on the LED headlights, and the Honda Sensing suite of semi-autonomous safety features. Honda Sensing includes these full suite of safety features. Hold on to your seats, because this is pretty comprehensive.
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Road Departure Mitigation
- Forward Collision Warning
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Blind Spot Warning
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Product after product since the 10th generation Civic was released last year, each of it was a hit for Honda Cars Philippines. This new CR-V is no exception. With 7-seats, a diesel engine, and a comprehensive list of standard features that trumps many of its competitors, the Honda CR-V will soon be a commonplace on our roads.
You can now buy the 2.0 S i-VTEC petrol powered Honda CR-V, as these are now in dealerships. The 1.6 i-DTEC diesel powered Honda CR-Vs, meanwhile, will arrive on September, but reservations are now starting, so make it quick, as the diesel Honda CR-V is expected to sell like hotcakes, making waiting lists really long.
Hi sir, may I know the downpayment of Honda CR-V with 7 seats, i-DTEC diesel engine.
Hi! It would be great if ask your nearest Honda dealer for more information about that, since it’s the dealers including the banks who set up the financing terms for the vehicles.