2015 Honda CR-V EX FWD

It remains the finest jacked-up Civic hatchback you can buy.

Most automakers have moved on from making Baja 1000- SUVs that were prepared. It is not that there isn't still romanticism in the experience of crashing through boulders at high speed and becoming caked in the dust of desert competition.

Really, when the CRV broke cover a Civic-based high-roof wagon, Honda was rebadging Isuzu Rodeos as Passports as well as the number one-selling SUV in the States was the body-on-frame that was truckulent Ford Explorer. But Americans, notoriously dismissive of hatchbacks and the SUV cum station wagon cum crossover, have included by the highway load, and such vehicles are actually the dominant, bestselling body design--better than compact sedans, midsize sedans, as well as pickup trucks. And on top of the stack is the CRV, that was the greatest-selling crossover/SUV in the U.S. in 2014.

To help protect its market standing, the 2015 CRV received a small freshening that was visual, having been modernized with new brushing projector-beam headlights and LED daytime running lamps outside upgraded stuff, and a slew of bright trim, and electronic equipment in the cottage.

Larger changes came underneath the hood. Even though the newest factory has no more power than last year's interface-injected four-holer of the exact same displacement, it reaches its electricity peak 600-rpm lower (now 6400) and it's more low end torque (up from 163 to 181 pounds-ft). The latter makes it feel more reactive and more energetic than before.

CVT TLC?
Honda's is among the greatest as CVTs go, but nonetheless, it will instantly swing the engine to its 6400-rpm power peak at wide open throttle and remain there for the length of the acceleration run. Consequently, the CRV is never caught flatfooted in the incorrect "tools."

At that engine speed, seat, flooring, and the steering wheel thrum somewhat, as in the event the bass on a subwoofer got dialed up. The CRV is otherwise among the most quiet -jogging crossovers in the category that is compact, but nevertheless, it could profit significantly from a Honda Odyssey-like noise cancellation system.

Everything else is very cheery. The CRV's ample front caster and rack mounted electric power steering deliver a weighted believe that is never darty. The vehicle feels put in its lane with adequate self-focusing and aligning torque for highway cruising that is assured, yet with the organic attempt accumulation as steering angle increases. The ride quality is never nasty through impacts although regular business. The CRV's front seats have great torso support, and the bottom pillows comfortably accommodate many different body contours.

We believe the $26,425 front wheel drive CRV EX supplies great value in the section. The only detraction in the infotainment's user-friendliness is a narrow row of miniature buttons that are hard which can be not easy strike and to find out while driving.

The EX is among the CRV's more fundamental trimmings--and because sense is more accurate to the internal Civic than more elaborate versions of the crossover. This kind of version has no navigation, no leather, and definitely no sovereign systems. Never mind that the no longer-small CRV SUV is actually a hatchback on stilts--folks enjoy it, and so do we.