The next-generation Honda CR-V is on the horizon, and the company is putting a special offer on the bonnet of the current generation model.
But the brand’s Price Promise sees it offer fixed nationwide drive-away prices across its model range, which means Honda has had to look elsewhere for sweeteners.
Instead of price cuts, then, it’s extending its five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of premium roadside assistance to seven years each.
Honda says the offer runs until March 31, 2023 “unless extended”.
There has been no change to the capped-price servicing offer – Honda says it is continuing to offer the CR-V with five “low price” services, which are $199 each.
The range continues to open at $35,900 drive-away for the base Vi, topping out at $53,600 drive-away for the VTi LX AWD.
Honda Australia’s agency sales model sees head office own all the stock, instead of dealership franchises. It sets fixed, no-haggle pricing, and rewards dealers for each sale.
The company confirmed last July that the new sixth-generation CR-V’s local launch would be “more than 12 months away”, which would point to a launch in the second half of this year at the earliest.
We’ve contacted Honda Australia for an update on the new CR-V’s progress, and we’ll update this article once we hear back.
Next-gen CR-V
The sixth-generation CR-V has grown 69mm in length and 10mm in width while riding a 41mm longer wheelbase, making it the largest CR-V yet and freeing up space for a new model – the ZR-V – to slot between it and the HR-V on the local market.
It’ll continue to be offered with either five or seven seats locally.
Honda has also indicated it’ll offer the CR-V locally with a hybrid, a first for the nameplate in Australia, giving the brand a rival for the Toyota RAV4 hybrid and Nissan X-Trail e-Power.
The Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid has been upgraded with direct injection, while the two electric motors have been repositioned to sit side-by-side, allowing for the fitment of a larger, torquier traction motor.
Total system output is 152kW, an increase of 2kW, while the electric motor is said to produce 335Nm, an improvement of 20Nm.
In the US the base engine is a revised version of the 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Maximum power remains unchanged at 142kW, although it’s now generated at 6000rpm, 400rpm higher than before.
While peak torque remains at 243Nm, the curve is now wider, starting at 1750rpm — compared to 2000rpm before — and ending at 5000rpm.
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard with the turbo, and it comes with a “step-shift mode” that simulates traditional gears under hard acceleration.
Both drivetrains are available with an all-wheel drive system that can send up to 50 per cent of the car’s torque to the rear wheels.
Inside, the CR-V dashboard is highly influenced by the latest Civic and ZR-V. There’s a choice of 7.0-inch or 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreens, the latter with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The instrument panel features a physical speedometer on the right, and a 7.0-inch digital display on the left, which includes a fully digital tachometer on turbo models and power flow diagram on hybrid variants.
In America blind-spot monitoring is now standard, joining adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. New safety elements include traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and driver attention monitoring.
Current CR-V VTi X
Honda Australia offers the outgoing CR-V with a choice of five or seven seats, and front- or all-wheel drive. It also recently added a pair of special editions, the VTi 7 +Luxe and Black Edition.
A naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is standard in the base Vi, with all other models using a turbo 1.5-litre four.
Pricing
- 2023 Honda CR-V Vi: $35,900
- 2023 Honda CR-V VTi: $38,900
- 2023 Honda CR-V VTi 7: $40,900
- 2023 Honda CR-V VTi X: $41,900
- 2023 Honda CR-V VTi 7 +Luxe: $43,700
- 2023 Honda CR-V Black Edition: $44,900
- 2023 Honda CR-V VTi L AWD: $46,200
- 2023 Honda CR-V VTi L7: $49,500
- 2023 Honda CR-V VTi LX AWD: $53,600
All prices are drive-away.
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