Honda's CR-V is affordable and functional. Rear-seat room and cargo space are also generous. Further, its compact dimensions and responsive handling make driving entertaining.
Honda made several notable mid-cycle updates to its popular sport utility for 2015. The CR-V gained an updated front and rear appearance, along with new wheels and various trim bits. The makeover also included a raft of new electronic safety features and added new standard equipment along with a 185-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This was matched with the CR-V's first continuously variable transmission (CVT) application.
The CVT works well in normal driving. Honda did a commendable job of masking the engine drone and rubber-band feel of some CVTs. If anything, this CVT does the opposite. It is so determined to keep revs down for fuel economy the CR-V can be sluggish at times. Additionally, some of Honda's traditional powertrain refinement is lost to noticeable vibration at idle and low engine speeds.
On the safety front, the CR-V's Touring trim line offers an optional suite of electronic aids, including forward-collision warning and autonomous braking, lane-departure warning, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. Honda also added structural reinforcement to improve performance in the demanding IIHS small overlap crash test.
Meanwhile, Honda's infotainment systems became increasingly complex, growing more frustrating and distracting to use. The one in this version of CR-V was the worst yet. In addition to the lack of knobs, on-screen logic is unintuitive and hard buttons are confoundingly small and hard to use.
Another change that wasn't an improvement was the retuned suspension. The 2012-2014 CR-V had one of the best rides in the small SUV segment, soaking up bumps with ease. The 2015 version lost that generosity. On the plus side, insulation from road noise is slightly better. There is also more standard equipment. The popular mid-level EX trim gained heated seats, a power driver's seat, and Honda's LaneWatch blind spot camera system. All versions include a backup cameras. The Touring trim added memory for driver's seat settings and a power tailgate.
For all of these changes, the CR-V remained a very functional, practical and affordable vehicle.