1st Place: 2015 Honda CR-V

What a difference a year makes indeed. Despite the essential goodness of the simple, practical template for an SUV that Honda has damn near perfected, it began to trail competitors with more power, clever functionality, or better value. However, with one significant change in the powertrain department, the 2015 CR-V again finds its basic goodness, and such goodness it is that it is great.

Okay, this is no Hemi V8 or BMW straight-six, but it is a Honda four-cylinder, and it is a dream come true. The although identically sized at 2.4 litres, the addition of direct injection to the already effective variable valve timing (VTEC, of course) make the 185 horsepower available a tad sooner and add almost 18 glorious lb-ft of torque. The 181 lb-ft of torque aren’t earth-shattering, but combined with a focus on refinement and vibration reduction, the 2.4 pulls smoothly and strongly, propelling this 1,652 kg machine smartly, without strain, and without annoying the heck out of me as it did on our long-term test a couple winters back.

But the joy doesn’t end with the satisfying engine and best-in-test transmission, a CVT that lives up to the promise of responsiveness and efficiency (also best both on test day and according to EPA ratings) without any of the usual side effects of excess revs and droning. This thing also drives well with a second in handling and best steering/braking and ease of driving. Peter saw it as evidence of Honda DNA: “Quick steering and alert chassis. Ride is a bit stiff and noisy, but feels super light on its feet.” Noah found it “surprisingly nimble and stable,” but noted some torque steer despite the AWD system. I tested it in knee-deep snow banks while simultaneously climbing over curbing, and the AWD system worked just fine for the anticipated level of need most owners will have.

The good news continues in the practicality and conveniences department, with ample seating and cargo space, easy access and plenty of room for odds and ends in the roomy cabin. Unfortunately, the seats are still a weak point, Brian noting “seat bottoms too flat, didn’t find them very comfortable.”

Speaking of weak points, this is an entirely new infotainment system in the top Touring trim we tested, Honda has yet to master this dark art. Despite a clean look and good quality, Laurance was stumped: “What’s the deal with the amateur-hour graphics for the touchscreen? Its functionality is fine, but the graphics look like they come from a Commodore 64.” Noah found the infotainment system had a “fairly large learning curve,” which explains its poor usability score. I continue to be frustrated by the near useless second screen on the dash top, with much of its information redundant, the controls’ counterintuitive placement on the steering wheel, and I’ll concede that a volume knob is better than this Honda’s touch slider, despite liking it for its geek factor. On the plus side, everybody loved LaneWatch, providing a view of the right-hand blind spot on the nav screen when you signal a right turn or lane change.

Honda and Toyota had the weakest warranties, but when your reputation for reliability is as good as theirs, I guess people figure you’ll never need it anyway. And although sporting the second-highest price at $38,335, the CR-V was packed with the highest feature content and so we still found that the well-engineered chassis and balanced performance and practicality offered a good value.

At the end of the day, the 2015 CR-V is just a smooth, practical, efficient machine, that is incredibly easy to live with. This engine has real punch now, and the transmission is everything a CVT has ever promised. It proves again that our Autos.ca comparisons reward balanced capabilities over dominance in any one area, and the CR-V is the most well rounded of this group of excellent all-season, everyday all-purpose vehicles.

Pricing: 2015 Honda CR-V Touring
Base Price: $25,990
Tested Trim: $36,540
Options: N/A
Freight: $1,695
A/C Tax: $100
Price as Tested: $38,335

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