Facelifted Honda CR-V for up to $3500 less

HONDA Australia has finally ushered in the facelifted version of its CR-V compact SUV, complete with price savings ranging between $2000 and $3500.

Apart from the “aggressive repricing”, the new-look CR-V, which is on sale in Australia from this month after being delayed by up to six months, comes with “generous specification upgrades”, including the standard fitment of full-length side curtain airbags across the range.

There is no sign of the European model’s new 110kW/350Nm 2.2-litre diesel engine, with the third-generation CR-V soldiering on solely with the current 2.4-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine.

However, the Thai-built small crossover wagon does come with a significant $2000 reduction at base level – not as a result of the federal government’s five per cent import tariff reduction from 2010, because it only affects passenger cars (not SUVs) and Thailand already has a free-trade agreement with Australia.

More likely, the entry-level CR-V manual’s new list price of $30,990 (down from $32,990) is in response to the once-dominant model’s sales slide in 2009, when it was a massive 48 per cent less popular than the year before, as well as formidable new compact SUV rivals led by this week’s replacement for Hyundai’s top-selling Tucson.

As with all Honda models, however, metallic paint is optional on the CR-V, which at $455 brings the base price to $31,465, while the base CR-V auto now costs $33,290, or $33,765 with metallic paint.

Further upstream, the mid-range CR-V Sport auto now costs $38,790 (down a substantial $3500 from $42,290), while the range-topping CR-V Luxury auto now carries a $43,265 sticker – down $2000 from $44,790.

As we’ve reported, Australia’s 2010 CR-V comes with the same changes already revealed for Europe, including revised exterior styling, upgraded noise, vibration and harshness insulation, retuned suspension geometry and bushings to improve ride and handling and the addition of automatic headlights and wipers on the Luxury flagship.

While curtain airbags join twin front and side airbags on the base model, all CR-Vs now come with new front and rear bumpers – the former comprising an “evolution” of the latest CR-V’s fussy two-step grille, quieter exterior mirrors and new-design seven-spoke and five twin-spoke alloy wheels for Sport and Luxury variants respectively.

Inside, the 2010 CR-V offers new door-handles, interior surfaces, trim fabrics and plastics to create a more premium impression, while a new interior colour replaces the Ivory scheme of the outgoing CR-V cabin.

Two new accessory packs join the CR-V line-up for 2010, both priced at $2699 including fitting.

The ‘Active’ pack comprises Bluetooth connectivity, side steps, roof racks, ‘Deluxe’ floor mats, a cargo protection tray, chromed exhaust outlet, side window visors, door sill garnishes and a dust/pollen filter, while the ‘Modulo Sports’ pack includes side steps, front and rear skid plates, a tailgate spoiler, unique grille, chromed exhaust outlet and chromed mirror scalps.

Finally, the CR-V exterior paint colour palette now numbers six choices, following the addition of the new ‘Urban Titanium’ and ‘Habenero Red’ hues.

2010 Honda CR-V range pricing:
Standard	$30,990
Standard (a)	$33,290
Sport (a)	$38,790
Luxury (a)	$42,790