2015 Honda CR-V Revealed With More Torque, More Tech and New Touring Trim!

 

 

The new CR-V is here and looks darn sexy, perhaps for the first time ever! The enhanced styling is really quite premium and desirable for an SUV with a base price in the $23,000 range. A new nose brings a slimmer grille and more premium headlights. Those LED accents are standard on EX trim and above, while the EX-L and new Touring trim actually pack projector-beam lamps inside for the low-beams for the first time. All good news, especially as the CR-V’s RAV4 arch-rival and Ford Escape chase car are looking mighty dull and cheap these days.

It is important for the CR-V to up its appeal outside to stay fresh versus the Nissan Rogue – a small crossover with seven seats and some of the best-looking LED DRL’s on the road.

This 2015 CR-V revision is far more than skin-deep, though. In fact, the cabin might be an even greater departure than that sexy new nose. It looks comfortable and useful and stylish in the latest Honda CR-V, a car whose cabin and overall design has rarely (actually: never) merited descriptions like ‘stylish’ and ‘sexy’ before.

The new CR-V includes the latest Earth Dreams engine for all trims, now with 11-percent more torque than before and a third-gen CVT transmission that promises more smoothness and better efficiency.

In a true feat of real-time success for the hot-selling CR-V, the car is revealed this morning for the first time — and also goes on sale today at Honda dealers nationwide.

Not exactly sure how Honda has managing this amazing feat of a rapid and well-guarded rollout for the new model, if it is indeed in showrooms today. But one chink in the armor is the Honda consumer website, which is still touting the 2014 model as of this morning.

Regardless, the CR-V is an even better choice for SUV shoppers now that its appearance matches its large back seat, big trunk and great fuel economy!

 2015 Honda CR-V Revealed

 

 

BOLDLY RESTYLED AND SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED 2015 HONDA CR-V

30/09/14

Boldly Restyled and Significantly Enhanced 2015 Honda CR-V Gets New Powertrain, Advanced Features and New Premium Touring Trim 

America’s bestselling SUV for the past decade1, the CR-V raises the bar for 2015 with a major update that increases powertrain performance, fuel efficiency, safety performance, value and fun

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 30, 2014 – Launching at Honda dealerships nationwide on October 1, 2014, the new 2015 Honda CR-V receives the most significant mid-model cycle refresh in its history, with a new direct-injected Earth Dreams Technology™ i-VTEC® engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT), a new suite of Honda Sensing™ safety and driver assistive features, significantly enhanced exterior and interior styling, a long list of new standard and available features and a new premium Touring trim.

Starting with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $23,3202, the 2015 CR-V has increased EPA fuel economy ratings of 27/34/29 mpg3 (city/highway/combined) for front-wheel-drive models and 26/33/28 mpg3 for Real Time AWD models, both increasing +4/+3/+3 mpg over 2014 models.

New for the 2015 CR-V:

  • More efficient direct-injected engine with torque up 11 percent
  • New seamless and sporty CVT for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency
  • Bold new exterior design plus chassis, braking system and sound isolation improvements
  • New standard features include a center console armrest, sliding sunvisors and rear console ventilation ducts
  • New available features include a power tailgate, 10-way power and heated driver’s seat with memory, LED daytime running lights, and Display Audio
  • Available Honda Sensing™ suite of advanced safety and driver assistive features that includes Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)4, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)5, Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS)6, Lane Departure Warning (LDW)7 and Honda LaneWatch™

The CR-V is notably enhanced with multiple functionality upgrades, including a new configurable center console, new rear console heat/air ventilation ducts, and an available 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio telematics interface. A redesigned high-quality and high-tech interior further increases the CR-V’s sophistication. Exterior design changes, including re-styled front and rear bodywork, mirrors and wheels, lend the CR-V a bolder, sportier appearance with unique Honda style.

For 2015, the CR-V includes a longer list of standard features on all trims. The CR-V EX, for example, adds 7-inch Display Audio, a 10-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, Honda LaneWatch™, Smart Entry/Push-Button Start and LED daytime running lights.

A new top-of-the-line Touring trim includes the first Honda application of two advanced driver-assistive technologies, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and the first CR-V adoption of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). These systems, plus Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Honda LaneWatch™ are part of the new Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies that, together with other high-end features, such as a power tailgate, bring a new level of sophistication to America’s top-selling SUV1.

These improvements, especially the significant feature upgrades and new line-topping Touring trim, provide customers with more value and choice than ever before. Add in its car-like interior comfort and smooth, quiet ride, and the enhanced and upgraded 2015 Honda CR-V once again sets a new benchmark for the highly competitive compact SUV segment. Customers can view, build and price at 2015 Honda CR-V at automobiles.honda.com/cr-v.

2015 CR-V Pricing and EPA Fuel Economy Ratings
Trim Wheel Drive MSRP2 EPA MPG3 (city/highway/combined)
LX FWD $23,320 27/34/29
LX AWD $24,570 26/33/28
EX FWD $25,420 27/34/29
EX AWD $26,670 26/33/28
EX-L FWD $28,020 27/34/29
EX-L AWD $29,270 26/33/28
EX-L Navi FWD $29,520 27/34/29
EX-L Navi AWD $30,770 26/33/28
Touring FWD $31,520 27/34/29
Touring AWD $32,770 26/33/28

Telematics

The 2015 CR-V includes easy-to-read instrumentation and, for the first time on CR-V, Honda’s new 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio telematics interface. Display Audio, standard on EX and above trim levels, allows the user to tap, pinch, and swipe – just like on a smart phone or tablet – to control audio and other telematics features, including the available next-generation HondaLink™9 and the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System™10. All CR-Vs retain the full-color intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) that offers a range of customizable features via fingertip controls on the steering wheel. The CR-V’s audio and telematics systems offer a high level of connectivity, including a standard Pandora®11 internet interface and SMS text messaging function,Bluetooth®12HandsFreeLink® phone interface.

Powertrain

The 2015 CR-V’s new Earth Dreams Technology™ 2.4-liter direct-injected DOHC i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder engine produces 181 lb-ft of torque, an 11-percent increase over the previous engine’s 163 lb-ft13 while making the same 185 horsepower14. The new lighter-weight engine is mated to a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) with G-design Shift that provides smooth, seamless ratio changes and contributes to increased EPA fuel economy ratings of 27/34/29 mpg3 (city/highway/combined) for front-wheel-drive models and 26/33/28 mpg3 for the Real Time AWD models.

Chassis

An updated suspension design, and features such as Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)15 and Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) all contribute to the 2015 CR-V’s quality driving experience, which is enhanced further on the EX and above trims with wider front and rear track dimensions due to wider wheels (+0.5 inches). The CR-V uses front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension systems that benefit from tuning changes. The rear multi-link system helps maximize rear seating and cargo space while providing stable and comfortable handling and ride quality. Newly revised shock absorber tuning helps deliver a refined driving feel.  

Safety and Driver-Assistive Technology

As with all Honda vehicles, safety is a primary focus, starting with the CR-V’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure that helps make the CR-V highly effective at absorbing and dispersing the energy of a frontal collision crash. Overall, the body receives more than 60 changes to improve stiffness and collision performance, and the 2015 CR-V is targeted to achieve top safety ratings, including a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a NCAP 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA. Standard safety equipment on all models include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) electronic stability control system, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist, frontal airbags, side-curtain airbags, SmartVent® front-side airbags, and a front seat design that can help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. The newly available Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive features includes Honda LaneWatch™, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). These systems benefit from the adoption of new sensor fusion technology that integrates the capabilities of a windshield-mounted monocular camera and millimeter wave radar to provide enhanced sensing with ability to identify and anticipate multiple collision scenarios, including a pedestrian collision, and initiate warnings and, in some cases, emergency braking.

Warranty

The 2015 Honda CR-Vis covered by a comprehensive 3-year/36,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain limited warranty.Additional benefits of ownership include Honda Roadside Assistance, which provides free 24-hour roadside assistance during the 3-year/36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty term. CR-Vs are manufactured at the Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio using domestic and globally sourced parts.

2015 Honda CR-V Feature Upgrade Summary
Trim New 2015 Features
LX – Earth Dreams Technology™ 2.4-liter direct-injected i-VTEC engine
– Earth Dreams Technology™ continuously variable transmission (CVT)
– Exterior and interior styling upgrades
– Center console with armrest with rear air ducts
– Sliding sunvisors
     
Trim New 2015 Features Upgrades from Preceding Trim
EX  Changed or added from CR-V LX:
  – 7-inch Display Audio
– 10-way power driver’s seat
– Heated front seats
– Honda LaneWatch™
– Smart Entry/Push Button Start
– LED daytime running lights
– 17-inch aluminum wheels
– Sunroof
– Privacy glass
– Fog lights
– Security system
– Cargo cover
– Fully automatic headlights
– Tweeter speakers
– Body colored door handles
– Body colored side mirrors
– Variable speed windshield wipers
– Additional USB16 jack
– Seatback pockets
– Illuminated vanity mirrors
     
Trim New 2015 Features Upgrades from Preceding Trim
EX-L Changed or added from CR-V EX:
  – Auto-dimming rearview mirror – Leather seating surfaces
– Leather steering wheel cover
– Dual zone auto HVAC
– Roof rails
– SiriusX® Radio17
– Heated side mirrors
– Subwoofer speaker
– Audio amplifier
EX-L Navi Changed or added from CR-V EX-L:
  – HD Radio™18 – Honda Navigation System
     
Trim New 2015 Features
Touring Changed or added from CR-V EX-L Navi:
(new trim) – Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
– Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)
– Power tailgate
– Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
– Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
– Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
– Larger 18-inch wheels
– Driver’s memory seat
– Side mirror turn signal lights
– HomeLink remote system
– Projector headlights
– Special badging

Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.

He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.

Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.

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