The Honda CR-V has been one of America'due south well-nigh popular compact SUVs for many years at present, and for 2015, it'due south received a number of updates to go along information technology competitive.

Too as styling updates and improvements to the interior, the 2015 Honda CR-V features an updated engine and a new continuously variable transmission (CVT)--all in the proper name of increased fuel efficiency.

Compared to final yr's CR-Five, the 2015 model is upwards three miles per gallon on the combined ratings for both its front- and all-wheel-drive versions.

The FWD base CR-V is at present rated at 29 mpg combined (27 mpg city, 34 mpg highway), while adding all-wheel drive reduces the ratings to 28 mpg combined (26 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg highway).

The 2014 model was rated at 26 mpg or 25 mpg combined, respectively.

DON'T MISS: 2015 Honda CR-V: Full Review

We collection the 2015 Honda CR-V during its launch event in early on October, and spent a long weekend with the new model about six weeks ago.

Over 470 miles of our usual drive cycle, plus a couple of extra loops, the motorcar delivered 27.half dozen miles per gallon, according to its in-dash display.

2015 Honda CR-V

2015 Honda CR-V

(Our test period wasn't long enough to run several tanks of gas through the vehicle to measure more accurately.)

That 27.6 mpg is pretty much right on the nose for our AWD model's 28-mpg combined rating.

But given that two-thirds to 3-quarters of our distance was covered at highway speeds, we'd take expected it to exist slightly college than that.

ALSO SEE: 2015 Subaru Outback: Gas Mileage Review Of Crossover Wagon Utility Vehicle

On the other hand, the 185-horsepower direct-injected iv-cylinder engine has to piece of work fairly hard to motion the three,600-pound CR-5 AWD Touring model nosotros tested, despite the wide range of ratios possible with its new CVT.

We spent fourth dimension in Eco mode and Normal mode, concluding that while the Eco way is sluggish, it's tolerable in many circumstances other than those requiring maximum power.

To become that maximum acceleration requires essentially floor the accelerator and keeping it there, rather than the sprightlier accelerator response of Normal fashion.

Overall, we conclude that Honda's new powertrain trades off some performance for better fuel efficiency--but that in the CR-Five, your real-world mileage can be notably afflicted past how hard you drive.

And, frankly, we weren't driving all that hard. It's non the nature of most crossover utilities to invite hard driving.

Roomy, smart design

The CR-V's strengths are its substantial interior room for the footprint it occupies and its inherent practicality as a family unit vehicle.

2015 Honda CR-V

2015 Honda CR-Five

A few notes from an fall weekend behind the wheel:

  • The easy-to-fold rear seats are amid the best in the business, giving yous a low cargo flooring with 71 cubic feet of volume with the seat downward, 35 cu ft with the rear seat upright
  • The redesigned interior console is very useful, with lots of infinite for oddments: trays, cubbies, cupholders, and a big compartment under the elbow rest
  • The ride is shine and comfortable
  • Unlike other Honda models known for fun driving, we found the 2015 CR-Five slow and a bear upon ponderous on the road, with more suspension yaw and body scroll than we expected
  • Every bit noted in the total review (linked in a higher place), nosotros keep to consider Honda'southward Lane Keeping Aid feature as only marginally constructive
  • Its adaptive cruise control was also significantly less capable than those in other makes, with an apparently shorter range of recognition and sudden deceleration once it noticed a vehicle alee
  • Nosotros were startled to get a "Low Fuel" warning low-cal afterwards just a bit more than 300 miles; the tank holds fifteen.three gallons, which at 28 mpg should be 420 miles, but perchance Honda is beingness conservative
  • Nosotros withal dislike pendant parking brakes--or, more accurately, our left shin hates them--only nosotros know we're never going to win that boxing

Overall, we retrieve the 2015 Honda CR-Five is a skillful pick for families that value practicality--and decent fuel efficiency in its segment--over responsiveness and handling.

Our 2015 Honda CR-5 AWD Touring test car, the top-of-the-line model, carried a base of operations toll of $32,770. The only additional accuse was the $830 mandatory destination fee, bringing its bottom line to $33,600.

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