The previews of the 2017 Honda CR-V so far have revealed both 1.5L VTEC Turbo and 2.0 normally-aspirated versions of the fifth-generation SUV, but nothing specific has been mentioned as to just how many variants there will be in the line-up.
We now know there’s four at the very least, of which three are 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo versions – the range-topper will be a 1.5L VTEC Turbo Premium 2WD with Lanewatch and Honda Sensing, items which have been mentioned but not seen on the second variant in the range, a 1.5L VTEC Turbo AWD (as seen in Kota Kinabalu).
The third is a 1.5L VTEC Turbo 2WD, which was on call at a special event to highlight the elements of the Honda Sensing suite (via the 1.5L VTEC Turbo Premium 2WD) earlier today. Finally, there’s a baseline 2.0L i-VTEC 2WD, which was the CR-V model previewed in Penang earlier this month. A 4WD version of the 2.0 litre is looking unlikely, but if it does then the range will consist of five models.
All the 1.5L VTEC Turbo variants use a 1.5 litre direct injection turbocharged VTEC engine with 193 PS and 243 Nm of torque from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm, while the base model retains the previously-seen R20 naturally-aspirated 2.0 litre i-VTEC motor with 155 PS and 190 Nm. Both models get Honda’s Earth Dreams CVT transmission, replacing the five-speed auto seen in the outgoing model.
It was also confirmed at today’s event that the entire fifth-gen CR-V range sold in Malaysia will all be five-seater versions.
As to why the seven-seat model is not making its way here, Honda Malaysia personnel said that based on a survey carried out by the company early on, buyers in the target market for the car responded that extra seats aren’t really a primary point of consideration. Instead, most place space and features ahead of extra seats, and that’s why we’re only getting a five-seat model.
GALLERY: 2017 Honda CR-V 1.5L VTEC Turbo AWD in Malaysia
GALLERY: 2017 Honda CR-V 2.0L i-VTEC 2WD in Malaysia
