Awards and accolades are always welcome and appreciated. We see them in nearly every commercial and almost every company has an award to give out. One of the most coveted is the Motor Trend awards and for 2015 the Honda CR-V shows up the winner in the SUV category. Not only is this SUV worthy of this award, but it also boasts the highest sales in the first third of the year for Honda, more than the Accord and more than the Civic, which is no mean feat whatsoever.
What makes this SUV an excellent choice starts with the cavernous interior which shoe really no longer be called a crossover. Crossover SUVs used to be the smaller siblings to the full size lineup and they still are smaller, but not nearly as tiny as before. Because crossovers such as the CR-V have improved space and are really a midsized option, there is now a new segment the compact crossover SUV which is where the HR-V, Chevrolet Trax and Jeep Renegade reside, but I digress. The CR-V is great for someone who wants to sit higher and enjoy the versatility and cargo space offered by this outstanding crossover SUV.
Getting even more specific, the Touring AWD model of the CR-V is a cut above and comes at a still very reasonable price of $33,775. This Touring trim carries in the Honda Sensing active safety technologies which includes active cruise control, a collision detection system which bring the car to a stop when an impending collision is detected, and a lane keep system to help bring the SUV back into the lane when a signal has not been used. Add to this the leather seats which are heated up front, a power liftgate, the navigation system, a seven-inch touchscreen, hands-free keyless entry, push button starting, a power moonroof, fog lights and 18-inch wheels and it’s easy to see why the CR-V is hard for dealers to keep in stock.
With all the upgraded features you might think the power for this crossover has to be one that is complicated but in this case the power is respectable, enjoyable, efficient and simple. This power for this SUV comes from the 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that gives up 185 horsepower. This is connected to a CVT that offers a very enticing 26 city/33 hwy mpg to enjoy. Most often a CVT lends itself to be considered a generic transmission, but the one in the CR-V is outstanding, giving the SUV great performance on and off the road.
It’s really no wonder why this vehicle is Motor Trend’s SUV of the year for 2015 with the awesome menu of features and fantastic capabilities. The CR-V has become the most popular Honda on the market today, which is saying a lot with the brand having so many of the longstanding leaders for sales under its roof as well. Check out a new CR-V at your Honda dealer and see what you have been missing out on for so long.