Honda CR-V Fourth Generation 2.0L MT - Performance Review

The new Honda CR-V carries forward the 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engines of the earlier model – however they are in a different state of tune. The 2.0-litre engine now produces 156 PS of power and 190 Nm of torque, which makes it relatively more powerful (by 13 PS) than the outgoing model. The outputs of the 2.4-litre version have gone up by 29 PS and 8 Nm therefore summing up to an output of 190 PS and 226 Nm. Being typical Honda petrol mills, the engines are rev happy and produce a very good sounds when you rev them all the way to the red line. 

Both the engines come with a 5-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.0-litre version also gets an optional 6-speed manual. The engine is a tad sluggish and you need to keep to it on the boil to get a decent performance out of it. But with its rev-happy nature and a manual transmission on offer, it is fun to drive. The 2.4-litre engine is the more eager bloke out of the two, but its five-speed auto gearbox is inherently sluggish and when in automatic (D) mode, the engine doesn’t feel as sprightly as you would expect. The AT versions get paddle shifters though and in the S mode, the gearshifts are noticeably faster than a Honda Accord or Civic. 

The 2.4-litre engine comes mated to a four wheel drive (4WD) configuration while its younger sibling comes in a two wheel drive (2WD) config. The latter feels more nimble to drive and the steering feels more responsive on this one. However, the steering does not weigh up well at high speed on the 2.0-litre version – and this trait, coupled with its responsive nature can get unnerving at high speed. The 2.4-litre version on the other hand as a steering wheel is a dead ‘at-centre’ feel that makes it feel more like a Hyundai than a Honda. The gain is that the steering doesn’t feel nervous at high speed and the 4WD configuration imparts more confidence. 

Honda claims that the new CR-V will return fuel economy of 13.7 kmpl and 12 kmpl for the 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre variants respectively. On the brief dive that we had in Udaipur, the CR-V 2.0 returned a whisker over 8 kmpl and the 2.4 returned between 6 to 7 kmpl overall. Expect the real world figures to be better than these though. 

Despite the sluggish automatic transmission and the uninspiring steering wheel, the CR-V manages to be a fun to drive vehicle and that has great on-road manners a decent off-road capability – which we will test extensively in our full fledged road test. The CR-V is also more involving to drive than a similarly priced and spec-ed Honda Accord or a Hyundai Sonata – or even a diesel SUV for matter.

Conclusion

The CR-V manages to impress us by being a better vehicle overall than the outgoing model. Its fun to drive nature and sort of space it offers also helps it outclass its natural rivals like the BMW X1 and the Mitsubishi Outlander – and we I’m not even talking about the fabled Honda reliability yet. So to sum it up in one line, if your monthly running isn’t too high, you don’t necessarily need a diesel SUV nor do you need deep pockets to own a potent crossover like the all-new CR-V.

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Also Read:

Honda CR-V Design Review

Honda CR-V User Experience Review