The Auto Advisor Group: 2012 HONDA CR-V

2012 HONDA CR-V

BY BRUCE HUBBARD

BRADLEY HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

The 2012 Forth Generation Honda CR-V is better than ever. Their entry level SUV or Crossover as some call it drives like a car. The CR-V Honda has best the best seller in this segment for years. The looks are one-reason women and men buy the CR-V.

After the March 11, 2011 earthquake in Japan and now the Taiwan Flood production has been reduced by perhaps as much as 200,000 units in the United States. Honda immediately worked with suppliers’ world wide to help solve the problems to produce this high selling SUV.

The new model we drove was the high end CR-V All Wheel Drive Model with all the optional equipment/ Loaded!

If you look at what Honda is doing today then the future of production worldwide will be enhanced by the new 800 Million dollar facility in Mexico. Plus, $166 million being spent on the East Liberty, Ohio plant that will produce the Crosstour and CR-V.

This is only part of the 1.25 billion being spent in North America to increase Honda production.

In 2011 Honda was awarded so many quality awards they are certainly doing everything right. The quality in the 2012 CR-V was excellent.

Overall length is down by one inch, and height drops by 1.4 inch for front-wheel-drive models and one inch on all-wheel-drive versions. The 2012 CR-V is wider up around the front windows than its predecessor, giving one the feel that it is more spacious than the previous CR-V.

The 2012 CR-V was once again superb on the road. Suspension makes the ride on highway and off in the dirt roads excellent. Honda added 65 percent of additional bracing around the back of the body delivering a firmer shell that would give the 2012 CR-V better handling and drive. Honda stated the bracing gives the CR-V models a 40-percent increase in the balance between responsiveness and stability. We could not verify this 40 percent increase statement from Honda.

The five-speed transmission worked well in our tester. The CR-V is missing only the “tiptronic” which we dearly love. The Public Relations department stated that the customers they sell to do not want the system. We disagree. Honda has not moved up to a six-speed automatic or even better automatics for they state their five speed automatic transmission is excellent.

Honda decided to use a fuel saving electric power steering system versus what they had before. The hydraulic system decreased fuel savings.

To help capture the youthful “image” buyers Honda decided to offer as standard telematics that are important to their buyers. Hyundai and Kia and others have done the same. Just look at the new Hyundai Veloster and you will see what buyers are demanding.

New high-tech features on all Honda CR-V models include a Bluetooth^[i] HandsFreeLink phone interface , a full-color intelligent Multi-Information Display and a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines. As a first for Honda, every 2012 CR-V includes an SMS text messaging function, which can read received texts from compatible cell phones aloud over the audio system. Another first is the introduction of a Pandora Internet Radio interface, compatible with the Apple iPhone, which works with the vehicle’s audio controls and i-MID.

One other excellent advantage of the new CR-V is that it is so quiet. Honda has also done an excellent job in making the ride enjoyable.

Positioning the 2012 CR-V’s windshield wipers behind and below the rear edge of the hood line keeps them below the driver’s normal sightline for improved forward visibility. In addition, the wipers are positioned out of the airflow over the hood to reduce turbulence that can contribute to aerodynamic drag and interior noise.

The CR-V now has a superb all-wheel-drive system available. You can still take the 2-wheel drive model but one should consider the advantages of all wheel drive.

With Honda’s All-Wheel Drive the power now is moved to the rear wheels and transferred to the rear and front wheels to make the journey memorable. Upgrades to the dynamic stability control system and the electronics make the CR-V even safer on the road. Designers and engineers even engineered the underside of the CR-V to help keep it stable on the road!

Honda put a lot of superb surfaces on the interior of the vehicle to attract their young buyers who are mostly women! The vehicle has great front room space. Then look to the rear seating area than can hold another three passengers. You get excellent headroom plus plenty of legroom. The IP and dash, glove compartment area has exquisite wood surfaces and soft touch materials that look great. Not Audi but very close. The vehicle has great front legroom space. Then look to the rear seating area than can hold another three passengers. You get excellent headroom plus plenty of legroom again.

The new CR-V continues with outstanding interior volume for its size; the rear cargo volume is class leading. New for 2012 standard features include an Easy Fold-Down 60/40 Split Rear Seat and a range of standard technology features. The CR-V can hold up to 35.7 cubic feet of cargo behind reclining rear seat, or up to 72.9 cubic feet with it folded flat.

New high-tech features on all models include a BluetoothHandsFreeLink phone interface, a full-color intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) and a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines. As a first for Honda, every 2012 CR-V includes an SMS text messaging function, which can read received texts from compatible cell phones aloud over the audio system. Another first is the introduction of a Pandora Internet Radio interface, compatible with the Apple iPhone, which works with the vehicle’s audio controls and i-MID.

Five speed automatic upgraded slightly from previous model. Tweaking improved fuel economy according to Honda. But, no manual or “tiptronic” mode which we love. And why not a six speed or eight speed automatic?

Interior has terrific quality including surfaces on the dash and door panels. If you want the rear set entertainment option on EX-L or above you cannot get the navigation system seen here. Why, we do not know. You must select Navigation or Entertainment when ordering. You cannot get both?

Wonderful seats for driver and front passenger. Driver has 10 way electrical controls to manage seat adjustment.

Our fully loaded 2012 Honda CR-V tester had a wonderful sunroof.

The CR-V lineup starts with the CR-V LX model, now with more standard equipment for 2012. The CR-V LX is equipped with air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, i-MID, remote entry, a 160-watt, and a 4-speaker audio system, Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS). The CR-V EX adds an upgraded six-speaker audio system, power moonroof, 17-inch alloy wheels and more. The CR-V EX-L builds on the rich features of the CR-V EX and adds a leather-trimmed interior, 10-way power driver’s seat, automatic dual-zone climate control, 360-watt 7-speaker audio system with XM^® Radio and much more. Available features for the CR-V EX-L include the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition™ and FM Traffic, or a DVD Rear Entertainment System (not available with Navigation). Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System is an available feature on each model.

Safety is the CR-V is important to buyers and the 2012 has as standard equipment VSA, an electronic stability control system; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist; side-curtain airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and a front seat design that can help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. If there is a front end collision Honda designed the front end through Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE™) . The body structure in the front of the vehicle helps makes the vehicle highly effective at absorbing and dispersing the energy of a frontal crash.

The engine compartment of all models of the 2012 CR-V holds the same 2.4-liter gasoline powered engine. Traverse mounted 2.4 liter four cylinder that delivers 185 horsepower at 7000 rpm with torque being delivered to the pavement 163 foot pounds of torque at 4400 rpm. Competitors like Kia Sorento, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, or Chevy Equinox offer more power. The dual-overhead-cam 2.4 boasts 5.4-percent reduction in internal friction plus a more efficient alternator.

EPA estimates for the front-drive model are an estimated 23-mpg city/31 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined. AWD CR-Vs drop slightly to 22/30/25.

For 2012 there will be no Hybrid CR-V or as previously mentioned a diesel. The Honda management sees their present formula is the best for their customers and best for Honda’s bottom line. Once again I disagree. Peter Marks of Bosch and I agree that diesels make a lot of sense. Overall cost is reduced by fuel savings. Maintenance is minimal. Longevity of the “diesel” is proven. And more important is residual value is 30% higher than a gasoline powered Honda CR-V.

Honda owners three years ago wanted to buy the CR-V Diesel I had in the US for a month. From Detroit to Philadelphia police to average owners wanted to know if “finally” Honda had brought the diesel to market. Sadly I could not accept checks from any of those that wanted to buy the “diesel”CR-V from me on my long journey. By the way the fuel saving for a 2000-mile trip was just amazing!

The 2012 CR-V has an optional updated superb all-wheel-drive system. The power now is moved to the rear wheels and transferred to the rear and front wheels to make the journey memorable. Upgrades to the dynamic stability control system and the electronics make the CR-V even safer on the road.

The 2012 CR-V comes with a spare tire. No inflation kit but a rim and tire with a jack needed to change the tire.

Designers and engineers even engineered the underside of the 2012 CR-V to help keep it stable on the road!

One other item I like in the 2012 CR-V AWD is the back up camera. It has normal view, wide view and a birds eye view. Bird’s eye view is ideal for me when I attach the vehicle (when outfitted with trailer package) to my personal watercraft or small trailer.

The 2012 CR-V has towing option but the capacity is only 1500 pounds. A six cylinder or diesel would allow for a lot more towing ability. Still with the CR-V you can tow personal watercraft, small fishing boat or even a snow mobile.

Pricing begins at $22,000. for base Honda CR-V front 2-wheel drive to $29,000. for a top end All-Wheel-Drive. Then packages or options can increase the price. Snowboard attachment. Trailer hitch. Running boards. Navigation or infotainment system and other accessories are available from Honda.

We prefer the AWD version of the 2012 Honda CR-V for any market in North America.