Honda throws a CR-V ball

MANILA, Philippines - Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) scores a hat trick in its new model launches with the all-new, fourth-generation CR-V, unveiled last Monday at One Esplanade in Pasay City—following the successful introduction of the City in January and the all-new Civic and special edition Jazz in February.

So, finally, after the double-whammy of the tsunami in Japan and Bangkok flooding, Honda’s luck is starting to turn, you might say. HCPI president and general manager Tatsuya Natsume said as much in his opening remarks—rightly bragging about their robust March local sales figure of 1,631 units. “This is our highest sale in the last 20 months, (showing) the continuation of the turnaround of Honda, since February,” he reported. “All of the new models of Honda enjoyed full month sales and healthy availability in March, which enabled us to be number one in the PC (passenger car) segment for the month.”

The warm and fuzzy feeling in the HCPI boardroom is expected to linger with the latest launch. As with the Civic, the CR-V has been a flagship model for Honda. Among the pioneers of the now hefty compact SUV segment (accounting for 23 percent of local vehicle sales), the CR-V first successfully married the traditional SUV and the compact sedan into a capable machine in 1998. Now, five million units and plenty of awards later, it evolves the compact ute into a more advanced version in design, packaging, and technology.

Natsume maintained: “The Honda CR-V offers versatility of a large wagon with the reflexes of a passenger car.” A la Civic, Honda engineers didn’t break the CR-V mold as far as general looks goes, perhaps content with its basic shape. Instead of the usual size upgrade, the CR-V sports a lower profile and shorter wheelbase—even as Honda points out that interior space has improved.

Up front, the grille design flows into the headlamp assembly, as the bumper thankfully loses its Cheshire cat grin. On the side, the muscular lines of the CR-V are accentuated by flared wheel arches. A C-pillar window “kink” completes the dynamic look that also leads into conversation-piece taillights.

Two power plants will be offered: a SOHC 2.0 iVTEC, and a DOHC 2.4 iVTEC—delivering 153 and 185 ponies, respectively. The 2.0 comes in 2WD; the 2.4 in 4WD—both engines mated to 5-speed automatic transmissions.

Honda has always prided itself on eco-friendliness not just in terms of emissions but fuel consumption frugality. The CR-V will boast the advancements previously seen on the all-new Civic. The press of an ECON button should turn the vehicle into a miser—controlling, via drive-by-wire, the engine, transmission, and even the air-conditioning to maximize fuel. But there are more passive systems to leave decision-making to the driver. An Eco “coaching ambient light” framing the speedometer lights green to indicate you’re being very gas-pedal prudent, and white when the foot’s a little too heavy.

The 2.4 EX variant is also equipped with the techie i-MID (Intelligent Multi-Information Display), highlighted by a five-inch LCD display for instantaneous feedback and easy access to audio information and fuel consumption. Conveniently controlled through steering wheel buttons, the system allows display customization and “certain vehicle settings.” The EX also features hands-free mobile phone interface, and a rear camera that displays rearward situations on the i-MID display.

Honda says the new CR-V betters its predecessor in interior cargo volume by 65 liters, due in part to lower-folding rear seats—no doubt a lesson learned from the space-savvy Jazz.

In an interview with the STAR, Yuishi Fukuda, general manager of the Automobile Business Division of Asian Honda Motor Company Limited, said Honda’s Bangkok plant went online last March 26, and is expected to supply markets by June. Meanwhile, Natsume said that CR-V and Civic units for sale locally will be CBUs from Japan until then. That explains a slight price premium because of the import duties. The 2.4-liter EX AT is priced at P1.655 million (with an additional P20,000 if desired in White Orchid Pearl color), while the 2.0-liter LX AT goes for P1.425 million.

Natsume promised HCP is “still not finished yet with new model launches for this year.” The next one is set for June. The CR-V should tide us over until then, for sure.