Author Topic: Yawn, my wife’s new boring Honda CR-V (Read 6322 times)

JohnnyMac · « **on:** July 03, 2022, 05:18:20 pm »

We picked this up two weeks ago and thought I should post it in the S&S as there aren’t many of us left and topics are less. So traded in our 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid for this 2022 Honda CR-V Sport. Got an amazing trade in value and deal on the new CR-V. Obviously fuel economy has taken a hit, but it’s more comfortable, nicer interior, and will be better in the winter. Plus we get to avoid our horrible Toyota dealer here.

Things I have noticed, the power hatch is faster to open and close compared to the RAV4. The interior graphics and gauges definitely feel dated when compared to my Civic but that’s to be expected due to it being last model year.

What we found funny was the one feature we wanted some guidance on the sales person didn’t know about. So we got the little heater warm up system for the interior, along with the block heater. The sales guy said he asked everyone, including the shop, about how to use the system and none of them know how it works, first one they have installed. So this is powered by the same cord as the block heater and can be controlled by an app. The idea is that it will warm up the cabin and clear the windshield without using gas.

So far it is averaging about 2L/100kms more than the RAV4 but I am saving almost that with my Civic compared to my GLI, so just breaking even.

Have a 7 year extended warranty so should be in the driveway for at least that long. My wife would only consider making the change if she can have it in white, so that’s what she got. The material on the seats are partial vinyl and cloth, quite nice to look at and sit on.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2022, 05:19:42 pm »

More pics

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2022, 05:20:39 pm »

More pics.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2022, 05:22:48 pm »

Pretty boring but that’s literally every mainstream CUV. My wife will like this so much more in the winter, remote start, interior warm up system, and the best Blizzak winter tires.

Allen · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2022, 05:25:34 pm »

Might be boring .. but a solid choice, enjoy

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2022, 05:27:19 pm »

Quote from: Allen on July 03, 2022, 05:25:34 pm

Might be boring .. but a solid choice, enjoy

I think it will, hopefully.

rrocket · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2022, 06:11:22 pm »

Nice unit!

Sometimes boring is good!

No drama...no fuss.

ktm525 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2022, 06:20:28 pm »

Gauges look dated lol.

Avoid all dealers!

tortoise · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2022, 06:25:05 pm »

Tell me more about this interior warming system? Basically an electric heating element and a fan?

I presume this is to address the slow warm up time of the 1.5T in the winter? (Is that still a thing?)

I had a ride last week in my friends CR-V of the same generation. I liked it. It seemed light on its feet, the interior was comfortable and the engine was perfectly adequate. His was the Touring so that probably helped.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2022, 06:27:15 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on July 03, 2022, 06:11:22 pm

Nice unit!

Sometimes boring is good!

No drama...no fuss.

It is nice, it was what I thought we should have got originally but my wife liked the exterior looks of the RAV4 more.

If I was to pick one in this category right now, I think it would be a Mazda CX-50, just excellent interior and exterior, plus likely drives really nicely.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2022, 06:32:52 pm »

Quote from: tortoise on July 03, 2022, 06:25:05 pm

Tell me more about this interior warming system? Basically an electric heating element and a fan?

I presume this is to address the slow warm up time of the 1.5T in the winter? (Is that still a thing?)

I had a ride last week in my friends CR-V of the same generation. I liked it. It seemed light on its feet, the interior was comfortable and the engine was perfectly adequate. His was the Touring so that probably helped.

It is basically how you describe, small heater with a fan. There are a few manufacturers that offer this, Hyundai being another one. We don’t have a garage so our windshields get frosted/fogged over from November to April, so loads of idling to clear the windshield, this should avoid it or at least limit it during the extreme cold months. The 1.5 is supposed to not be the best in keeping the cabin warm in winter but I don’t know if that is fixed or not, will find out come winter.

It does ride quite well, more soft over bumps even thought it rides on 19’s and our RAV4 were 17’s. It is a nice engine for around town and getting up to highway speeds. I’d say it’s better than the RAV4 due to being significantly lighter.

tortoise · « **Reply #11 on:** July 03, 2022, 06:48:49 pm »

My TDI has a similar feature since diesels are notoriously slow to warm. You have to set it to defrost, max heat and a fan speed of 3 or higher. I think it's an 800W heater.

It works great, but only when the engine is running. It starts defrosting after a minute or so in -20C.

Layne · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2022, 06:51:29 pm »

Nothing wrong with the CRv. For its size on the outside, they are large inside. Congrats.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2022, 06:52:19 pm »

Quote from: tortoise on July 03, 2022, 06:48:49 pm

My TDI has a similar feature since diesels are notoriously slow to warm. You have to set it to defrost, max heat and a fan speed of 3 or higher. I think it's an 800W heater.

It works great, but only when the engine is running. It starts defrosting after a minute or so in -20C.

Similar just I don’t think it runs when you are moving, just off the plug in power, but I have to read the manual to get a good idea of the capabilities.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2022, 06:53:19 pm »

Quote from: Layne on July 03, 2022, 06:51:29 pm

Nothing wrong with the CRv. For its size on the outside, they are large inside. Congrats.

Yup, for just us and the two pups it’s more than big enough. The dash is lower and makes it feel more roomy.

EV Dan · « **Reply #15 on:** July 03, 2022, 07:12:36 pm »

Great car! Bonus points for proper location of the air vents

Good call also on the cabin pre-heater. I didn't even know that was a thing in ICE cars.
Congrats and happy motoring!

dkaz · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2022, 07:24:31 pm »

Quote from: JohnnyMac on July 03, 2022, 05:18:20 pm

What we found funny was the one feature we wanted some guidance on the sales person didn’t know about. So we got the little heater warm up system for the interior, along with the block heater. The sales guy said he asked everyone, including the shop, about how to use the system and none of them know how it works, first one they have installed. So this is powered by the same cord as the block heater and can be controlled by an app. The idea is that it will warm up the cabin and clear the windshield without using gas.

That is really cool. Nice buy!

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2022, 08:42:41 pm »

Agree, they are huge inside for a compact SUV. The cargo area is especially deep

I used to install those electric cabin preheaters in my pickups when I didn't have a garage

Very useful. Plugged it in with the block heater to a timer to give a 2-3 hr preheat to the engine and cabin, made a huge difference when parking a vehicle outside in the winter

2JDM · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2022, 09:10:12 pm »

Looks great! A very popular CUV for many reasons.

Firm · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2022, 10:28:47 pm »

Yep, good solid choice. I ran one of these to Windsor and back, in the winter, with an E-type Jag 4.2L I6 in the cargo area, it didn't exactly love it, but it got the job done!