Honda CR-V 2014 Review

Better late than never, Honda adds a diesel option to its popular CR-V line-up

Honda CR-V DTi-S and DTi-L

Launch Review

Wagga Wagga, New South Wales

Honda joins the SUV oiler party with its 2.2-litre i-DTEC powered CR-V variants. Priced from $38,290 and $45,340 the two-tier line-up features four-wheel drive, a five-star ANCAP rating and a generous equipment list. Manual and automatic transmissions are offered, but are grade dependent, while metallic paint adds almost $600 to the deal. The new CR-V diesel variants are on sale now.

The fourth-generation Honda CR-V has been with us since late 2012; but until now has gone wanting for the option of a turbo-diesel engine.

Honda has long offered its CR-V with the choice of i-DTEC (diesel) power in Europe, but has been slower than most in recognising the popularity of this alternative in the Australian market.

So it was with some relief that we welcomed Honda’s oiler to the CR-V range in Wagga Wagga this week.

The competitively priced CR-V DTi-S (from $38,290 plus on-road costs) and CR-V DTi-L (from $45,340 plus ORCs) are fitted with Honda’s common-rail 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine providing 110kW at 4000rpm and 350Nm from 2000 to 2750rpm.

Both variants are all-wheel drive, though only the lower grade CR-V DTi-S is offered in conjunction with a six-speed manual transmission. Otherwise, Honda’s familiar five-speed Grade Logic automatic is offered – optionally in CR-V DTi-S variants for $2300 more, but as standard in the CR-V DTi-L.

Honda says the mix will allow the diesel-powered CR-V DTi-S to achieve a combined cycle fuel consumption figure as low as 5.8L/100km when fitted with the manual gearbox, or 6.7L/100km when optioned with the automatic. The higher spec CR-V DTi-L uses 6.9L/100km by the same measure while CO2 emissions are listed at 151g/km, 175g/km and 182g/km respectively.

Common to both CR-V diesel variants is MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension, electrically-assisted steering, and an Eco Assist system to modulate the drive-by-wire throttle, cruise control and air-conditioning systems for improved economy. However, neither variant is equipped with idle stop-start technology.

In terms of equipment, the CR-V DTi-S is fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, front foglights, LED tail-lights and rain-sensing wipers. It also picks up with cruise control, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, sat nav, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors and a self-dimming rear-view mirror.

The CR-V DTi-L adds 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and ignition, front parking sensors, HID bi-xenon headlights with active cornering, heated eight-way electrically-adjustable leather seats with memory, ambient door lighting and roof rails.

Both variants are awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and are fitted with front, side and full-length curtain airbags, stability and traction control with Trailer Stability Assist, and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

CR-V manual models can tow up to 2000kg (braked) while automatic variants are restricted to 1500kg (braked).

On the road the diesel-powered CR-V feels much the same as its petrol sibling, which is a good thing. It’s quite composed and well damped, edging towards firm, though not uncomfortable.

The steering is well weighted and quite honest in its feedback and the braking action progressive and with adequate assistance. In manual models, the clutch is light, but late, with a narrow band from which to modulate pick-up and downshifts. For a diesel, there could be a little more travel in this respect, but pleasingly the gearshift is precise and well spaced.

But the most important aspect of the CR-V Diesel is, of course, the diesel engine. It’s the second diesel Honda Australia has offered behind the manual-only Civic’s 1.6-litre, and is both flexible and quite strong.

Much like the clutch the diesel engine delivers all it has to offer in quite a narrow band, with a clear rev ceiling presenting itself at 4500rpm. This is typical of most in this segment (excusing perhaps the Mazda CX-5), but is easy to work around with six well spaced manual ratios, or the smooth shifting five-speed auto.

Acceleration is strong, as is generally the case with modern turbo-diesels, however, the 2.2-litre Honda has an ace up its sleeve in that it’s exceptionally quiet at most engine speeds, only really presenting any diesel ‘rattle’ when heavily loaded. Even outside the vehicle and at idle you’d be hard pressed to recognise it as a diesel.

Our loop of rural and urban roads around Wagga Wagga returned an average fuel consumption figure of 7.3L/100km in the manual variant and 7.9 in the automatic. They’re not record-breaking figures by any stretch, though we should point out that these vehicles were barely run-in, showing only 1100kms on the odo.

If there is a disappointing side to the new CR-V it’s that the tyre noise is excessive. In a vehicle otherwise so quiet the Michelin (18-inch) and Continental (17-inch) rubber was vocal at highway speeds. Otherwise the grip on offer was impressive, with the Continental Cross Contacts especially confident on unsealed gravel roads.

In every other way the diesel CR-V is identical to its petrol sibling, which says a lot for the refinement of Honda’s i-DTEC engine. Comparatively priced and specified to others in the segment it's an option that will no doubt push CR-V sales even higher in 2014.

Picture legend: CR-V DTi-L (blue), CR-V DTi-S (white)

2014 Honda CR-V Diesel pricing and specifications:

Price: $38,290 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

Output: 110kW/350Nm

Transmission: Six-speed manual / Five-speed automatic

Fuel: 5.8L/100km /6.7L/100km (combined)

CO2: 151g/km /175g/km (combined)

Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

What we liked:	Not so much:
>> Torquey, quiet diesel engine	>> Narrow, late clutch on manual models
>> Competitive list price	>> Ageing five-speed on auto models
>> Great CR-V packaging remains	>> Tyre noise across the board

Honda CR-V 2014 Review

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