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It goes like this… Honda invites you to an event that is held locally to review a vehicle that is not scheduled for a meaningful change for a couple of years.  What’s up?  Well, enough that Honda can make a pretty big deal out of it.  The top selling sport utility vehicle is Honda’s CR-V crossover SUV.  The 2015 Honda CR-V looks pretty much like the 2014.  Same profile.  Same doors.  Same window openings.  What’s the big deal?  The front end looks more butch, more SUV-like.  It has really cool running lights below the headlamps.  Likewise, the rear end looks stronger.  The effect is that the CR-V looks a little bigger even though it isn’t.  Ah, the story is pretty much beneath the skin.  Honda calls it a MAJOR minor model change.  Clever.

Engineering Story – Earth Dreams Powertrain  This is an engineering story.  The 2015 Honda CR-V gets a new engine – an Earth Dreams direct injection 2.4L 4-cylinder engine with 185-horsepower (same output as 2014).  Torque is up by 18 lb-ft or 11% to improve driving feel especially at lower speeds.  New transmission – now a CVT to achieve better fuel economy.  The new engine and transmission combination substantially improves fuel economy for both 2WD and 4WD versions – highway fuel economy up about 10% better for both leading Honda to claim class leading fuel economy for the 2015 Honda CR-V.

Finesse and Value In addition to better performance, Honda has finessed the vehicle giving it a quieter cabin making it more pleasant to drive.  The instrument panel has been upgraded as has the center console.  For buyers coming down from larger, more heavily equipped SUVs the 2015 Honda CR-V will not disappoint.  Honda has added a slew of standard and available features that will make tech savvy customers feel warm and fuzzy.  There are a couple of new features standard like rear air conditioning vents on the rear of the console and a sliding driver’s side sun visor.  The big news is in the high volume EX model where $1,400 worth of equipment has been added for only a $200 price increase including:  heated front seats, Honda Lane Watch, display audio, smart key start, 10-way power driver’s seat.

New Touring Model Has Available Honda Sensing System  At the top of the trim lines is a new Touring model that checks most of the features boxes.  This is where the Honda Sensing system comes into play.  Honda Sensing is a safety system developed by Honda R&D that combines several technologies to help drivers avoid crashes.  This collision avoidance system includes:  adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking and Honda Lane Watch.  John Turley, Honda R&D Americas principal engineer says, “Honda Sensing is a stepping stone to a fully autonomous car.  With a couple more big overlays of technology, Honda can have a self driving car by 2020.  One of those technologies is longer range radar and inter-car communications that can provide warnings up to 1500 meters around the car up from about 250 today.”  The government and car makers are working to develop regulations and standards that will help cars of the future connect with each other seamlessly.