Honda has sold five million or so CR-Vs since 1995 when the car was launched on to the UK market. Many of the diesel engine versions have been 2.2 i-DTECs but Honda have now launched a scaled down version aimed at a customer who is more interested in fuel economy and the vehicle’s eco-friendly credentials. This might be something of a trend setting moment from Honda, which has just announced an all-new VTEC turbo engine series in 1, 1.5 and 2 litre versions which will, presumably, soon be fitted to models of their new petrol car range. However, for now it is the diesel CR-V that is getting the new engine treatment, but how does it affect the car’s performance?
Drivers stepping down from 2.2 to the 1.6 litre versions of the diesel i-DTEC CR-V will notice the difference in engine size. However, most road users of the car don’t really need the additional power. For those who are entirely new to the CRV, it certainly does not feel underpowered. As for off-roading, well that may be a different matter. But few CR-Vs and SUVs in general are ever used off the road in the UK anyway. The new engine in this model of CR-V develops 118 break horse power and offers a peak torque of 1750 revs per minute. So, overtaking manoeuvres – even uphill – are not going to be problematic for most drivers. More interesting to note, however, is that Honda’s new 1.6 diesel engine is the lightest in its class, mostly down to aluminium block used in its construction. This, as well as other weight saving measures, means that it is around 47 kilos lighter than the 2.2 litre version.
The Japanese manufacturer has a long history of giving the British driver what he or she wants. These days, more than ever before, it seems to be that something big is wanted by UK motorists, but also something that offers an economy rate of a smaller car. Honda, it seems, is well aware of this. The laboratory boffins say that the new version of the i-DTEC will be able to achieve in excess of 62 mpg. Of course, on UK roads this figure may have to be reduced, particularly if you do your driving within the city limits. Nonetheless, with a mixture of motorways and town use, 50 mpg is a perfectly reasonable expectation – and you can always get a bit more by adjusting your driving style, too. This has to be better than many SUVs including the 2.2 litre i-DTEC. When you also consider the 1.6 i-DTEC’s £30 road tax bill in comparison to the £140 fee for the 2.2 version, then the smaller engine size begins to look more and more favourable.
As for handling, the new CR-V offers everything that you’d expect. It is not a huge leap forwards, but nor – it must be said – is it a step backwards. The car’s six-speed manual gearbox does the job and it is easy to get the engine working efficiently at a number of different speeds and road conditions. Coming in at under £23,000 we’ll be seeing quite a few on our roads soon enough.