 2013 Honda CR-V. Click image to enlarge. |
The base front-wheel-drive CR-V LX lists at a base price of $25,990, and Honda’s standard Freight & PDI charge is $1,640, which surely must be tough to swallow for shoppers in within driving distance of Honda’s plant in Alliston, Ontario. Notable features at this price point are HandsFreeLink-bilingual Bluetooth phone interface, dash-top info display screen (showing audio and fuel consumption info, and a clock – whoop-dee-doo), multi-angle rearview camera, easy fold-down 60/40 split rear seatback, heated front seats, heated folding power side mirrors including expanded view driver’s mirror, and privacy-tinted glass. Even in our first week, the standard back-up camera and heated seats have been greatly appreciated.
Anyhow, all trims feature the powertrain that comes on this base model, a 2.4L inline-four with i-VTEC intelligent variable valve timing and a five-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 185 horsepower at 7,000 rpms, but that’s not a place you’re likely to visit, and even 4,400 rpm, where the CR-V’s peak torque of 163 lb-ft are produced is a sight you’ll rarely see. Anyone driving that hard is probably in the wrong car – it may be smaller, but for the same $25,990 entry price, get into the Civic Si Sedan if you want to experience a small(ish) displacement Honda engine wailing to operatic heights.
  2013 Honda CR-V. Click image to enlarge. |
CR-V owners are far more likely to press the green button with leaf pictogram to the left of the steering wheel that activates ECON mode, essentially reducing throttle response and engine output and limiting non-essential functions for more efficient operation. Also aiding the efficient driver is Ecological Drive Assist System (or Eco Assist for short), which is a light ring around the central speedo that glows green when driving efficiently and fades to white if driving more aggressively (what, no evil red?).
All told, the FWD CR-V’s efficiency is rated at 9.0/6.4 L/100 km city/highway as per Transport Canada’s testing procedures, or 10.2/7.6 L/100 km city/highway according to US EPA methodology, which uses higher average speeds and more demanding conditions in their testing regimen, a reflection of what they believe is a more common driving style. We agree with them and have found that our real-world consumption is often right in the heart of the EPA estimates.
