Honda spruces CR-V with Limited Editions

HONDA Australia has released a Limited Edition version of its CR-V VTi mid-sized SUV that adds extra specification over the entry-level VTi variant, accompanied by a driveaway price that starts from $32,990.

The VTi Limited Edition comes with $5500 worth of extra kit in the form of 18-inch alloys, side steps, rear roof spoiler, front and rear parking sensors, front foglights, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers, and the Lanewatch blind spot monitoring system.

Lanewatch provides the driver with a view of the traffic in the blind spot of the passenger side, through a camera in the passenger door mirror, which is then shown in real time on the 7.0-inch touchscreen.

The CR-V VTi Limited Edition comes in either 2WD or 4WD guise, with driveaway pricing of $32,990 and $35,690 respectively.

The asking price for the non-Limited Edition VTi variants on which the special version is based costs $31,290 for the 2WD and $33,990 for 4WD versions – also driveaway.

The two-wheel-drive variant is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four cylinder donk that generates 114kW/190Nm, while the all-paw version steps it up to a 2.4-litre four-pot that is good for 140kW/222Nm. Both are paired to a five-speed automatic transmission.

The Limited Edition is expected to give CR-V sales a shot in the arm – Honda has managed to move a total of 3036 CR-Vs so far this year, which places it behind most of its key rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 (9950), Hyundai Tucson (8128), Toyota RAV4 (7640), Nissan X-Trail (7518), Subaru Forester (5848), Mitsubishi Outlander (4180) and Kia Sportage (4143).

However the ageing SUV is still a valuable model for Honda Australia, ranking in third place for the Japanese brand in 2016, behind the HR-V compact SUV (5048) and Jazz hatchback (3587).

It is the second limited edition CR-V in the past year, with a Honda releasing a VTi AWD Limited Edition in November, which was all but identical to the new Limited Edition.

Additionally, in September a limited edition version of the top-spec CR-V diesel was announced as a swansong model before the oil-burner is discontinued in Australia.

It is powered by the 1.6-litre Earth Dreams engine that makes 118kW/350Nm, and has a fuel economy figure of 5.9 litres per 100km.

It is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission, and despite being smaller than the outgoing 2.2-litre diesel, it produced 8kW more power.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said the Limited Edition would give Honda customers an extra incentive to buy a CR-V.

“As more newcomers join the mid-size SUV segment, the CR-V has cemented its reputation as a very compelling SUV for Honda customers,” he said.

“For those customers looking for something extra, the Limited Edition has the key features expected by shoppers in the market for a proven SUV”.

2016 Honda CR-V VTi driveaway pricing

2WD (a)	$31,290
2WD Limited Edition (a)	$32,990
4WD (a)	$33,990
4WD Limited Edition (a)	$35,690