Refreshed Honda CR-V here next month

Monday, 31 August 2020

September is bringing new product momentum to the New Zealand vehicle market with the Honda CR-V the latest model to receive some upgrades.

The fifth-generation CR-V arrived in New Zealand in mid-2017 and now completes a mid-life facelift that includes an exterior refresh, model line-up changes and specification increases, new colours plus across-the-board inclusion of the Honda Sensing safety package.

The 2021 CR-V line-up has four variants – two in front-wheel-drive configuration and two with Honda’s AWD system. All models are powered by the 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC engine with 140kW output and peak torque of 240Nm. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 7.3L/100km for front-drive models and a fraction thirstier at 7.4L/100km for CR-V AWD models.

The refreshed CR-V is nearly here with new looks, new specifications and new trim levels.

Pricing begins at $39,990 for the front-drive CR-V Touring while the high-spec Sport 7 model – with seven-seat configuration - is $47,990.

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It might be tricky to pick the new one from the old but there are good changes where it counts.

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All CR-V models now get dual-zone air conditioning, push button start, a leather steering wheel and a new infotainment system.

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The CR-V was always quite a good looking thing. Now it looks even better.

All-wheel-drive is available from $43,990 in the AWD Touring and a new AWD Sport Premium becomes the flagship model priced at $51,790.

Key feature upgrades on the Sport 7 and Sport Premium model are a panorama sunroof, leather seat trim, heated front seats and powered front adjustment with memory function.

The AWD Sport Premium is also distinguished by 19-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels and a specific suspension tuning package while the other versions ride on dark finish 18-inch alloys.

The return of Touring models replaces the previous Active and Sensing grades. The MY21 equipment upgrades deliver the most significant benefits to these entry-level models and all CR-V models now have a hands-free powered tailgate, dual-zone air conditioning, smart-key entry and push button start, a leather steering wheel and an infotainment system with Apple Carplay, Android Auto and in-built Garmin navigation app.

Sport 7 also gets a Qi wireless charging pad, privacy glass, full LED head lights, LED fog lights and active cornering lights.

Visual changes include a front-end redesign with a blackout grille, a broader opening for the intercooler and gunmetal trim. There are dark tinted tail light lenses and a dark chrome tailgate garnish at the rear, finished off with a redesigned bumper and exhausts.

Two new colours have been introduced - Cosmic Blue metallic and Ignite Red metallic - to expand the colour line up to seven choices.

The Honda Sensing safety suite now standard for all models includes collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control with low speed rollow, lane keep assist and high beam support (HSS).

Honda says the CR-V nameplate has amassed over 33,000 registrations since the first generation debuted in New Zealand 23 years ago, making it the third most popular crossover SUV on our roads.