2020 Honda CR-V facelift revealed in the United States – updated styling, Hybrid variant added to line-up

2020 Honda CR-V facelift revealed in the United States – updated styling, Hybrid variant added to line-up

After nearly three years since it was first introduced, the fifth-generation Honda CR-V has received its first mid-cycle refresh in the United States. Featuring updated styling and a revised list of available equipment, the facelifted SUV also gains a new hybrid powertrain in the market.

Exterior styling updates here include a new front bumper with broader openings for the fog lamps, which is further accentuated by a wide-width chrome trim piece that gives the CR-V a “moustache” of sorts. Between the headlamps, the grille has also been made to look more pronounced, and can be had in a black finish instead of the standard chrome.

Moving to the rear, there are new graphics for the dark-tinted taillights and the chrome garnish just below the window has been darkened as well. Further downwards, the apron has been restyled to appear flatter than before, and is accompanied by trapezoidal-shaped exhaust finishers.

On the Hybrid model, the exhaust is tucked away under a different chrome trim on the bumper, with other model-specific cues being hybrid badging and a blue-tinged Honda logo on both ends.

For the 2020 model year, the CR-V in EX, EX-L and Hybrid guise is fitted with new-design 18-inch wheels, while 19-inch units are reserved for Touring trims, and 17-inch for the base LX. There’s also three new exterior colours available: Sonic Gray Pearl and Radiant Red Metallic on standard and Hybrid models, as well as a new Aegean Blue Metallic for non-hybrid models.

As for the interior, the Hybrid model is distinguished for the rest of the range by the three switches for Econ, Sport and EV modes, gear selector buttons rather than a regular shifter, and a dedicated instrument panel that displays the powertrain’s power/charge status, as well as a driver-selectable display for power distribution and regeneration.

All CR-V models gain a new push start button and a redesigned centre console bin, with a Qi wireless charger offered for Touring trims. Other available items include a TFT-LCD colour instrument cluster, seven-inch Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, powered front seats and rear USB charging ports.

Another addition for MY2020 is the the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistance system, which is now standard on all CR-Vs. This includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). Additional systems such as Blind Spot Information (BSI), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM) and Auto High Beam headlights are also available.

Under the hood, all non-hybrid CR-V models are powered by the familiar 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which serves up 190 hp and 243 Nm of torque; the 2.4 litre naturally-aspirated four-pot previously standard on the base LX is no longer offered. The VTEC Turbo engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with front- and all-wheel drive available.

Meanwhile, the hybrid powertrain is the same Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system used in the Accord Hybrid, and features an Atkinson-cycle 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine aided by two electric motors and battery pack tucked under the cargo floor, providing a total system output of 212 hp.

There’s no standard automatic transmission here, as a lock-up clutch connects the engine to a single-ratio gearbox to drive the wheels directly, with an electric clutch directing some of the engine’s output to the rear for all-wheel drive when needed. The company is expecting the CR-V Hybrid to return a 50% increase in EPA-rated fuel economy in the city compared to the standard CR-V.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • azlano on Sep 19, 2019 at 10:47 am

    design language lifted from the Boyue Pro FL

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 6
    • Celup King on Sep 19, 2019 at 1:49 pm

      Truly sad that Japan needs to copy China car. Their fanboys keep bashing China car but their idols come to copy from China.

      Malu malu malu malu Japan!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 4
    • Ayam percik on Sep 19, 2019 at 3:12 pm

      The game changing CR-V gets even better with this FL. Now it looks sportier with the new bumpers and smoked taillamps. If I have to choose between CR-V and X70, I will definitely choose game changing CR-V because it is a game changer that is sold worldwide and it also increase confidence to people driving it

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 15
  • Gregg Chia on Sep 19, 2019 at 11:04 am

    CRV is a good quality car. Now year end, prices are so cheap. So many Proton X70 buyers have cancelled their orders and jumped boat to HRV despite HRV being a smaller SUV

    I guess Japanese is better than China car!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 33
    • Gabriel on Sep 19, 2019 at 12:49 pm

      Common CRV issues:
      1. Gear lever button break
      2. Steering rack noise issue
      3. Fuel pump issue

      Please take note.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
    • Yusof M on Sep 19, 2019 at 5:57 pm

      the sarcasm is strong on this one

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Same grandmother looks model. Wait till Proton X50 arrive and all SUVs die2 liow.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 17
  • Qunan on Sep 19, 2019 at 11:18 am

    Crv 1.5T same power as mazda 2.5t too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 7
  • tkhengong on Sep 19, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    Wow! Toyota Rush garnishes on the lower bumper. But, honestly, looked better as the vehicle is wider.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • msia driver on Sep 19, 2019 at 1:57 pm

    come to Msia on 2021 or 2022
    that time proton x70 pro already selling like hot cake next year and dominate the market in whole Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Sep 19, 2019 at 2:00 pm

    in before x70 fanboys say x70 better

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
    • Someone said sales figure meant everything and X70 sales is outrunning CRV.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • YB Kunta Kinte on Sep 19, 2019 at 2:28 pm

    not much diff apart from the gear selection…im happily say that im glad with the current one.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Jaguh on Sep 19, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    Non functional facelift, just for the sake of generating excuse to continue milking money from the buyer

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • Every carmaker’s objective is to milk money from the buyers. They are not charities… or governments.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • seriously the front copied mercedes ah?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Copy cat, bumper style from Mercedes AMG

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Coincidentally I test drove the current CR-V today to enter the giveaway contest (hope I win one). The power was pretty good and the handling is quite decent.

    As for the US facelift though, I don’t like that weird W shaped chrome thing, and I am baffled why Honda darkened only the rear tailgate chrome garnish while the rest of the car’s chrome is normal. Biul betul. If you are going to darken chrome, do it all over the car lah.

    Also those new rims, while conventional, are not good-looking. Current rims look nicer.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • when is it coming to malaysia?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • When for test drive today for crv. The saleswoman silap inform that crv new facelift launching next month perhaps

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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