Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC EX 2013

Month 2 running a Honda CR-V: the CR-V's good first impressions continue

One month in and the Honda CR-V has already crept in from left field and grabbed my attention in a big way. It’s towed my rally car to Rockingham and back again, and made an airport run, so the basics are fine. It has less of a falling roofline than my previous Sportage, so I can stack the rally car wheels three high towards the back of the load bay.
Fuel consumption has improved since the last report (when most of my driving had involved towing) and I’m really appreciating the Honda’s high levels of fit-and-finish. It feels premium in here. The rear seats do the whole fold-flat thing with just the tug of a tag and no need to fiddle with headrests, and the electric hatch is a stroke of genius in a car at this price. The loading bay is lined with a box-like rubber tray which lifts out, so cleaning is a doddle, and that rear-view camera means I have fun dazzling people with my amazing judgement when hitching a trailer. The steering is smooth and responsive with plenty of feel. It’s quiet on motorways with low levels of wind noise. A proper good start.
By Jesse Crosse

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Month 1 running a Honda CR-V: the new CR-V makes it CAR fleet debut

Life is full of surprises and Kia’s Sportage was one of them. I was optimistic about it before it arrived, impressed with the comfort, agility and practicality when it was here and sorry to see it go. The Sportage was always going to be a tough act to follow, so the new Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC EX 4WD manual (catchy, eh?) is going to have its work cut out.
This is almost the top-spec CR-V money can buy and we’ve chosen the six-speed manual model. We passed on the auto because like most (but not all) others, the maximum towing weight of the automatic CR-V is only 1500kg versus 2000kg for the manual, and I have lots of towing to do. Expectations are high though, since the fully-loaded EX comes in at £31,495, including the £500 optional ‘Passion Red Pearlescent’ paint. The only other options available are a collision mitigation braking system, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control which you get in an advanced safety pack for £2250. The 2199cc, 4-cylinder diesel engine produces 148bhp and 258lb ft torque, which should pull a trailer well, and the six-speed gearbox has a positive, precise gate which is satisfying to use.
The previous CR-V had a reputation for being steady and reliable but was dumpy to look at. The new car’s styling is slicker and sharper, the sloping grille and low-profile headlights giving it an altogether more modern look. It’s easy on the eye – elegant, even.
So, what have we got in terms of equipment? The EX has lots of goodies including sat-nav and my favourite toy, a rear camera for reversing which also shows the towbar, a major plus when hitching a trailer solo. There’s also a powered tailgate which should prove useful when loading up with the inevitable payload of rally car wheels, tyres and equipment. Premium equipment includes heated front seats, full leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, auto-dimming mirror, cruise control, keyless entry and most things that could be electrically adjustable, are.
The headlights are bi-xenon but the CR-V also has active cornering lighting and ‘high-beam support’ (in case you’re too dumb to dip the beams against oncoming traffic). Wheels are 18in but I’m glad to see they’re equipped with sensible profile 225/60 tyres which should give a decent secondary ride on rubbish surfaces. The engine is equipped with stop/start too, so I’m hoping I can get closer to the claimed 48.7mpg than I did with the Kia.
One early problem cropped up when the diesel pump nozzle wouldn’t go in the tank – the camera-shutter-like fuel filler, designed to prevent mis-fuelling, had developed a fault but it was replaced quickly and everything’s now fine.
I don’t need a high performance tool (I tow one around) but something that’s enjoyable to be in, doesn’t offend my eye, is economical to run and practical. If the Honda can fulfil those requirements, we’ll get along just fine.