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2011 Honda CR-V
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Another Deja-vu for me this week. It’s very odd: I seem, year after year, to get the same vehicles at the same time of the year. It wasn’t last year, but a few years ago I had the redesigned CR-V, and as luck would had it, it was during Christmas week.
Not much has changed since this third generation CR-V was launched as a 2007 model in late 2006. The CR-V is, in fact, Honda’s best selling “truck”, so you may understand why they haven’t updated it much. But much like most of the current Honda line-up, it should be due for a redesign in the next year or so, as it is getting a little dated.
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Powered by a four-cylinder engine only, the CR-V is not offered in a V6 form like some of its competitors, and also unlike some of its competitors, it is not offered with a manual transmission. The CR-V uses a 2.4-litre engine with five-speed automatic transmission. The LX and EX trim lines are front-wheel drive but can be optioned to all-wheel drive. The EX-L is all-wheel drive only.
My tester is a the full-jam EX-L with navi. The EX-L package adds premium six-CD stereo, XM satellite radio, heated leather seats, and leather-wrapped steering wheel to the already upgraded EX package, which adds a considerable amount of kit to the LX trim.
The EX adds dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlamps, compass, security alarm, chrome grille inserts and tailgate garnish, body-colour door handles and mirrors, power sunroof, six speakers, USB port, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, eight-way power driver’s seat, dual-deck cargo shelf, exterior temperature display, and variable intermittent wipers.
I’ve driven a few of the CR-V’s newest competitors recently, most notably the Kia Sportage, which was also a fully loaded tester with an as tested price of $33,345, almost exactly $2,000 less than this Honda.
2011 Honda CR-V
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $35,590
For more information on Honda and the CR-V visit Honda Canada
