Updated Honda CR-V gets more 2WD variants

HONDA'S facelifted CR-V has arrived in Australia with an additional pair of two-wheel drive variants, and no price change.

The refreshed medium SUV, which made its international debut at the Paris motor show last month, arrives two years after the local launch of the fourth-generation RM-series CR-V.

The two-wheel drive range was limited to one base VTi trim level in the superseded CR-V, but it now mirrors the all-wheel drive petrol variants with the inclusion of mid-spec VTi-S and range-topping VTi-L.

Honda's UK-sourced diesel-powered CR-V continues on unchanged for now, but the facelifted oil-burner will touch down in Australia in the second half of next year. Pricing and specification will be made available closer to launch.

Pricing stays at $27,490, plus on-road costs for the 2WD VTi with a five-speed manual – a five-speed auto is a $2300 option – and the new front-drive VTi-S starts from $33,290 before shifting to the VTi-L at $39,290.

The new additions are only available with the five-speed auto, and the pricing represents a $3000 deduction from equivalent all-wheel drive variants. Honda says the specification is the same as the 4WD versions.

All-paw CR-Vs are also auto only and start at $32,790 before climbing to $45,790 for the VTi-L with Honda's Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS).

Most of the CR-V's competitors offer just one or two petrol two-wheel drive variant, including the Nissan X-Trail, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4 and Jeep Cherokee.

The mid-life refresh, or Series II according to Honda, brings a number of styling changes, including a new grille, LED daytime running lights, redesigned front and rear bumpers and a new metallic blue body colour.

Inside, the CR-V features piano black finish, chrome surrounds and contrasting stitching.

All variants feature Honda's Display Audio system which includes Bluetooth phone and audio, an HDMI and two USB ports and a reversing camera, while VTi-L gains in-built sat-nav as well as leather trim.

The flagship all-wheel drive VTi-L is available with ADAS, which includes a collision avoidance braking system, active cruise control and lane-keep assist.

Powertrains remain unchanged, with the 2WD using the 114kW/190Nm 2.0-litre unit, with combined fuel economy of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres for the manual, while AWD petrol CR-Vs carry over the 140kW/222Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder unit, with fuel use of 8.7L/100km.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said the specification levels of the CR-V highlight the high-riding Honda's value for money.

“The CR-V has been redesigned both inside and out,” he said. “The most significant change to the two-wheel drive range is the addition of two variants. The two-wheel drive variants also have the same spec levels as their four-wheel drive counterparts what differentiates them is drivetrain.

“Spec levels are outstanding and we’ve kept the same sharp, competitive price, demonstrating our commitment to great value for money.”

Honda's 2014 sales to the end of November are down 20.4 per cent, with 29,240 units shifted compared with 36,748 in the same period last year. The company's November tally of 2981 was up 13.1 per cent on the corresponding month last year.

CR-V sales have dropped 26 per cent to the end of November, with 8598 sold, keeping it behind rivals including the top-selling Mazda CX-5 (19,854), Toyota RAV4 (16,394), Subaru Forester (12,528), Nissan X-Trail (11,285) and Mitsubishi Outlander (8889).

The Japanese car-maker's local arm says that 10 per cent of the CR-V sales mix is made up of diesel-powered variants.

Honda CR-V pricing*

2WD VTi	$27,490
2WD VTi (a)	$29,790
2WD VTi-S (a)	$33,290
2WD VTi-L (a)	$39,290
4WD VTi (a)	$32,790
4WD VTi-S (a)	$36,290
4WD VTi-L (a)	$42,290
4WD VTi-L ADAS (a)	$45,790

*Excludes on-road costs.