But first, it's worth clarifying what "new" means? The model debuted back in early 2007 — though then it had a two-liter engine under the hood. Now the same car has been brought to market, but with a 2.4-liter engine.
Compared to the previous unit, the new one's torque has grown by 28 Nm. Moreover, 80% of the peak value is available already at two thousand rpm. And that's a serious argument for off-road! When I hear that the CR-V is a purely asphalt car, I immediately recall drivers in ordinary sedans in the Vologda region who calmly follow UAZ vehicles, and on a good day even pass where tracked all-terrain vehicles go.
The new engine really pleases at low revs, but that's not all: there's also the Real Time 4WD all-wheel drive system. It's based on an original scheme that provides not only brisk starts from a standstill, confident cornering and slippery sections, but also, which is especially important for us, climbing icy slopes and driving on snowy roads. Of course, stopping in the middle of a slippery incline and pulling away won't work, but not every SUV can handle that either.
When it became clear that in skilled hands the Honda could get anywhere, we decided to churn up some virgin soil. The low center of gravity added confidence. First — with ESP on. At a decent speed, the car made circles, slightly wagging its rear axle, but still clearly holding the line. A very correct electronic "leash".
Now we can hit the asphalt. When you floor the pedal, you realize: the automatic transmission clearly gets along with the new engine. No sluggishness in early shifts. The gearbox revs the engine up to 6500 rpm. Eagerly and confidently. The somewhat heavy steering adds sportiness and reminds you that a Honda is not a Nissan.
The price of the Honda CR-V 2.4 crossover at dealers is $35,404 (283,230 UAH). In the Executive 5AT trim — $36,417 (291,330 UAH). True, you'll have to wait a long time, almost a year...
