The Popular and Versatile 2015 Honda CR-V

As the most popular compact crossover SUV in the market for the past decade, the Honda CR-V for 2015 is set to continue to sell high and please many as it takes the road. Head and shoulders above the competition such as the Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, the CR-C shows off with great fuel efficiency as well as offering a great deal of features and equipment to enjoy along with the reliability and longevity that comes when purchasing a Honda vehicle. Offered in a variety of trims as well as the option to choose between a front-wheel drive (FWD) model or an all-wheel drive (AWD) version as well as a full array of class-leading safety features that can come loaded on the CR-V makes it show why this compact crossover SUV is a great deal for the money.

With all the equipment and features that can be aboard the CR-V this is a great SUV for growing families to enjoy a vehicle that offers a lot for the money. It is also a fantastic SUV for those who have entered the empty nest part of their lives and need a smaller SUV that they previously owned. For 2015 the CR-V upgrades itself with new stylings as well as a fantastic new engine that is mated to an upgraded continuously variable transmission. Add a bevy of new safety features that offer plenty of information for the driver, especially at the new Touring trim and this SUV has a lot of great new features to enjoy.

Driving the CR-V dispels any rumors that compact SUVs aren’t capable of handling off road or enthusiastic driving. The CR-V offers an enhanced suspension that offers a much higher degree of ride comfort on surfaces that are less than optimal and a very enjoyable ride on very smooth surfaces. Add to this the highly capable and responsive steering system which gives immediate feedback allowing drivers to enjoy more control than would normally be expected. The AWD equipped models allow the CR-V to head onto light trails for some fun at a campsite or lake that isn’t necessarily accessible by paved roads.

One engine is all that is offered for the CR-V which comes in the form of a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that offers 185 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to a highly refined CVT that performs much like a typical automatic transmission, this powertrain together offer owners the benefit of a great fuel efficiency that shows up at 27 city/34 hwy mpg in the FWD models and 26 city/33 hwy mpg for the AWD models. With this engine and fuel efficiency this SUV is a great choice for anyone who needs to enjoy a vehicle that can be used for just about any purpose short of hauling heavy loads.

Adorned with enjoyable soft materials throughout the cabin, the CR-V is comfortable to drive and ride in and intuitively designed. All controls are well situated to make them easy to find and use. The rear seat area fits nicely with anyone offering plenty of leg and head room to enjoy as well as having a fold down seat that increases the cargo space by quite a bit for hauling items that are larger or of a difficult shape. Added are some rear seat A/C vents to ensure the back seat passengers are able to enjoy the climate control as much as the front seat occupants making this a great ride for anyone.

The outside of the CR-V is very recognizable as one of the most popular SUVs on the road and one of the most enjoyable shapes for owners to take advantage of. The design of the vehicle offers owners a great deal of visibility with the generous use of lots of window glass and is one of the highest rated in its class for visibility. With a great deal of chrome accents and a highly attractive front fascia, the CR-V offers a look that appears to enter into the luxury class of vehicles, but certainly not at a luxury price. The wheels of the CR-V are a full set of pinwheel shaped wheels that give a huge amount of interest and excitement to the overall design.

The standard equipment offered for the CR-V start with the LX base model that comes with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering column, steering wheel mounted controls, a multi-function center console, a 60/40 split fold rear seat, a 160-watt four-speaker audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB interface, exterior temperature indicator, Smart Key Starting, rear A/C vents, and sliding sun visors. Add some standard safety features including dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, and side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors, Vehicle Stability Assist, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist and a multi angle rearview camera. This makes even the LX model one heavily equipped and ready for fun vehicle.

The optional features for the CR-V starting at the EX trim add speed-sensitive and variable intermittent wipers, auto-on headlights, fog lights, a security system, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a power moonroof, and a six-speaker audio system. The EX-L model adds a leather interior, dual-zone A/C, automatic climate control, roof rails, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated mirrors, XM radio, and a seven speaker audio system. The Touring trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels, HomeLink, mirror turn signals, a driver memory seat, a power tailgate and Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System. All-wheel drive and a navigation system are both available on all trim levels.

The Honda CR-V starts at a price of $24,150 for the FWD LX model. The EX comes in at $26,250 and the EX-L is offered at $28,850 while the Touring model begins at $32,350. To add AWD to any model the price increases by $1,250 and a fully loaded Touring model will come in around $34,000 which isn’t a huge jump to have the most loaded CR-V possible. This price range makes the CR-V a great choice for both reliability and affordability.