2011 Honda CR-V

The exterior and the interior

For 2011 Honda CR-V (Comfortable Runabout Vehicle) gets a sharpened styling, additional features on certain trim levels, higher fuel economy ratings, and increased power. The model is being distinguished by a dynamic forward cabin, a two-tiered grille and a distinctive side profile.

The list of standard equipments includes: air conditioning and an air-filtration system, keyless entry, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, cruise control, power windows with auto-up/down driver’s window, power door and tailgate locks, AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, fuel economy meter, and 17-inch steel wheels.

The engine

Under the hood, the 2011 CR-V gets a 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 180 HP at 6,800 rpm and a peak of 161 lb-ft. at 4,400 rpm. City/highway/combined EPA-estimated fuel-economy ratings are 21/28/24 miles per gallon (mpg) on 2WD models and 21/27/23 mpg on models equipped with Real Time 4WD.

The competition

The Honda CR-V has a very long list of competitors on the market. The list includes the Toyota RAV-4, Subaru Forester and Ford Escape. No doubt the most impressive one is the new Subaru Forester. It is powered by a new 2,498 cc engine delivering 170 HP and 174 lb.-ft. at 4,100 rpm and goes on sale at a price of $20,495.

The 2011 RAV-4 is offered with a choice of three diesel engines: a petrol and two diesel, so customers have a long list to choose from.

Prices

Press release

The 2011 Honda CR-V provides a versatile and accommodating crossover SUV package with space for up to five passengers and a versatile cargo area for utility. The CR-V also provides fuel economy and refined, comfortable handling similar to a mid-size sedan.

A new model for 2011, the CR-V SE (Special Edition), adds to the standard features of the CR-V LX with alloy wheels (replaces styled-steel wheels), a 160-watt AM/FM/6-disc changer with six speakers (up from a single-disc CD and four speakers), steering wheel-mounted audio controls and rear privacy glass. The previous, 2010 model-year CR-V received a wide range of enhancements including sharpened styling, additional features on certain trim levels, higher fuel economy ratings, and increased power.

A dynamic forward cabin, a two-tiered grille and a distinctive side profile express the CR-V’s emphasis on upscale style and design. Compact on the outside yet large on the inside, the interior provides a maximum passenger volume of 103.8 cu-ft. (CR-V LX), plus an accommodating cargo volume of 35.7 cu-ft. behind the rear seats. The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine generates 180 horsepower (hp) and 161 lb-ft of torque. City/highway/combined EPA-estimated fuel-economy ratings1 are 21/28/24 miles per gallon (mpg) on 2WD models and 21/27/23 mpg on models equipped with Real Time™ 4WD.

The CR-V’s interior emphasizes functionality and style. The front row storage areas are designed to accommodate items such as a handbag between the seats. For comfort, there are driver’s and front passenger’s center-folding armrests. A center console replaces the retractable center tray table on the CR-V EX-L with navigation.

A sliding 60/40 split second-row seat with a 40/20/40 folding seatback offers cargo versatility by sliding forward to increase cargo space, folding forward to accommodate long objects, or folding and tumbling forward to create a large, flat cargo area. Maximum possible cargo volume measures 72.9 cu-ft. with approximate floor dimensions of 51 inches long by 39 inches wide (at wheel wells). Storage potential behind the rear seat is enhanced by a dual-deck cargo shelf (CR-V EX and EX-L) that can strategically accommodate items like a folded baby stroller on the lower level and grocery bags on the upper level. The second-row seat includes a LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat mounting system for all rear seat positions, allowing either two child seats to be installed in the outboard positions or one in the center.

Standard safety equipment includes: the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle. Additional standard equipment includes side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; front side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); active front seat head restraints; an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The CR-V’s unit-body construction makes extensive use of high-strength steel (58 percent) to save weight and create a high-rigidity body structure, which significantly contributes to the vehicle’s ride quality, fuel efficiency and safety performance. The suspension is comprised of a front MacPherson strut layout and a rear multi-link suspension. The high-rigidity body and independent suspension offer a comfortable and engaging driving experience for a crossover SUV. State-of-the art noise absorption materials help to reduce engine and road noise for a quieter cabin.

The all-aluminum, 16-valve, Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) i-VTEC engine integrates an "intelligent" version of Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control along with Variable Timing Control (VTC). Both are sophisticated valvetrain technologies designed to enhance fuel economy and power output while reducing exhaust emissions. The VTEC portion of the system hydraulically adjusts the intake valves’ rocker arms for lift and duration to help optimize engine efficiency for low- and high-RPM ranges. The VTC aspect of i-VTEC allows for continuously variable phasing of the intake camshaft, which helps improve engine torque, promote a smooth engine idle, and create an internal exhaust gas recirculation effect for reduced emissions.

The CR-V comes standard with an electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission that uses an active lockup torque converter. Wide overall ratios help maximize acceleration in gears one through four and optimize fuel economy in its overdrive fifth gear. Grade Logic Control helps to reduce gear "hunting" on hilly roads. The available Real Time™ 4WD system - ideal for enhanced traction on snow, rain, dirt roads and sandy conditions - sends power to the rear wheels automatically when needed. Real Time 4WD’s always-ready and fully automatic dual-pump system hydraulically proportions rear-wheel torque via multi-plate clutches.

The CR-V is available in four model choices, each offered in either front-wheel-drive or Real Time 4WD. Standard comfort and convenience features on the CR-V LX include air conditioning with air-filtration system, keyless entry, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, cruise control, power windows with auto-up/down driver’s window, power door and tailgate locks, AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, fuel economy meter and 17-inch steel wheels.

The CR-V SE adds or replaces to the CR-V LX: a 160-watt AM/FM/6-disc changer with six speakers, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, rear privacy glass and alloy wheels.

The CR-V EX adds to the CR-V SE: a one-touch power moonroof with tilt feature, security system, dual-deck cargo shelf, exterior temperature indicator, vanity mirror lights and a digital compass.

The CR-V EX-L adds or replaces to the CR-V EX: leather-trimmed seats and armrests; heated front seats; body colored side mirrors and door handles; XM® Radio2; a USB Audio Interface; and auto on/off headlights. Available on the CR-V EX-L is the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition and rearview camera, which also adds a premium audio system with 7-speakers including subwoofer and Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, center console storage unit (replaces retractable center tray) and a 6-disc CD changer in the center console (replaces in-dash changer).

Colors for 2011 include Opal Sage Metallic, Royal Blue Pearl, Taffeta White, Glacier Blue Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Tango Red Pearl and Urban Titanium Metallic. Interior color choices, determined by exterior color, include Ivory, Black or Gray.

The CR-V continues to be the best-selling SUV in the United States for the fourth straight year in a row with calendar-year 2009 results of 191,214. The CR-V is sold in 160 countries throughout North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. U.S.-market CR-Vs are assembled at the Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio from domestic and globally sourced parts.