Ahead of the launch of the new 2017 Honda CR-V in Thailand on March 24, Honda provided the Thai motoring media with a test drive of the new SUV at the Buriram circuit. Automotive news portal Headlight Magazine has published its first drive report, revealing key details of the fifth-generation offering.
At first glance, the CR-V that will be sold in the Land of Smiles is pretty much identical to the one in the United States, with the same optional LED headlights (forming part of Honda’s corporate Solid Wing Face front end), chunky wheel arches, an upswept D-pillar kink and L-shaped LED tail lights. The turbine-design 18-inch six-spoke alloy wheels are also seen here; lower-end models get 17’s.
It’s on the inside where we start to notice a few changes. Although the basic interior architecture is the same, with a “floating” centre stack, a TFT LCD virtual instrument display and a Civic-style three-spoke steering wheel, the traditional automatic gearlever has been ditched for an NSX-style button selector, with the reverse button deeply recessed to prevent accidental operation.
Of course, the biggest addition is a third row of seats, making it seven in total. Both the second- and third-row seats are reclinable, with the former also being able to be slid forwards and back as before. The second row also tumbles out of the way to provide access to the third row. As on US models, there are are air vents for the second row, but the third row gets its own vents in the roof.
In Thailand, the CR-V is available with two engines. The base unit is a carryover 2.4 litre K24 naturally-aspirated DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol mill producing 175 hp at 6,200 rpm and 225 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The Earth Dreams CVT from the Thai-market previous-generation facelift (we got a five-speed automatic transmission) has been retained as well.
The new range-topper is a 1.6 litre N16 DOHC i-DTEC turbodiesel from the outgoing European-market model, churning out 160 hp at 4,000 rpm and 350 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The oil burner is paired to a ZF nine-speed automatic gearbox. Both engines are available with all-wheel drive.
The new CR-V range is split into four models – 2.4 E 2WD, 1.6 Turbo E 2WD, 2.4 EL 4WD and 1.6 Turbo EL 4WD. Available kit includes LED fog lights (in a different design to the US), keyless entry with Walk Away Auto Lock, push-button start, wood trim, leather upholstery, all-round one-touch power windows and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Other features include a seven-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, an electronic parking brake with auto brake hold and paddle shifters on diesel models. A powered tailgate is standard on all models, with EL models gaining kick-operated handsfree opening. Missing is the Remote Engine Start function from the Civic.
Safety-wise, all models come with ABS with EBD and brake assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Agile Handling Assist (AHA) with brake-operated torque vectoring, with EL models also gaining LaneWatch blind spot camera and a Driver Attention Monitor; there are no mention of the number of airbags on offer, however. The Honda Sensing suite of driver assists and Adaptive Cruise Control are unfortunately not on offer.
Available colours include the new Dark Olive Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Orchid White Pearl and Crystal Black Pearl. All models get a black interior.
It should be interesting to see what the Malaysian-market CR-V will get, although you’d best not hold your breath for a diesel model on our shores. We’ll more likely be getting the 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo engine from the Civic, albeit tuned for more power to counteract the larger mass – 190 hp at 5,600 rpm and 243 Nm of torque from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm in the case of the US-market model.
UPDATE: Already launched in Thailand, the 2017 Honda CR-V is priced from 1.399 million baht (RM179k) to 1.699 million baht (RM217k). The 1.6 i-DTEC diesel is the more expensive option there.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments on the 2017 Honda CR-V reveal focus on its design, engine options, and market positioning. Many appreciate its high-tech look and crave the diesel variant, hoping for the 1.6 turbo diesel with 9-speed transmission to be available in Malaysia. There is excitement about the potential for a well-priced, well-equipped model, though some are disappointed about the lack of a 7-seater configuration or certain features like adaptive cruise control. Comparisons with Mazda CX-5 and X-Trail highlight differing perceptions of space, performance, and luxury, with some deeming the CR-V more premium. Overall, viewers anticipate strong sales, express interest in performance and fuel economy, and debate interior quality, with some concerned about the engine noise and design choices.