Honda Cars of Corona
1080 Pomona Road Corona, CA 92882Sales: 888-568-0582
- Service: 866-413-5388
With 29 models in the crossover segment, the competition between vehicles is fierce. To make the 2012 Honda CRV stand out from the crowd, Honda has refined its best-selling SUV and dubbed it the "Super CR-V." But does the fourth generation of the crossover live up to its new moniker?
When you're selling a couple hundred thousand units of a crossover, it's a tough job trying to be all things to all people. Honda built an improved version of a best-selling vehicle that will impress a broad range of consumers, but it doesn't mess with its tried-and true formula.
What makes the 2012 model "super" is its ability to wear a lot of hats. The CR-V provides the efficiency of a car and the functionality of a minivan in the SUV packaging that is popular with buyers these days, says Honda. The result is a utilitarian, but sophisticated, compact SUV with style and versatility that will make the CR-V a good option for buyers looking for jack-of-all trades vehicle.
Updated styling
Honda changed up the 2012 CR-V exterior with a bigger grilles, a more sculpted body that accentuates the wheels, and three-dimensional vertical taillights. It also trimmed its dimensions a little. Although the width is the same, it's almost an inch shorter and an inch lower than the previous generation, but the interior volume has slightly increased.
Inside the vehicle, the crossover offers all the creature comforts and conveniences the savvy consumer has come to expect in a car these days, but no one will confuse the CR-V for a luxury vehicle.
Wider use of soft-touchpoints on the dash and doors make the vehicle feel refined, but there is no burled wood veneer--real or otherwise--which makes it seem modern and understated. The console has been designed to offer more convenient storage spaces, such as water-bottle holders and a well that can fit a small purse, but its low-profile design doesn't won't intrude on your personal space or create a huge gulf between the driver and passenger.
Standard Pandora integration and audio text messages
Following other competitors' lead, Honda has made a few tech features standard equipment on the CR-V. The CR-V LX base model now includes Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling, and all vehicles now include a rear-view camera and in-dash display to help visibility while in reverse. The color screen is also used to display audio information, fuel economy, and time.
Pandora application integration is also a standard feature, along with read-out-loud text message capability. However, full Pandora integration is only available for iPhone, and the text messaging technology works only on phones that include the Bluetooth MAP profile, which is limited to a handful of BlackBerry and Droid smartphones at this time. The voice-control navigation option is the same unit the manufacturer offers across its lineup, but Honda indicated that a significant overhaul of the system will be announced in the near future. Upgrade to the EX trim level, and consumers will get a several cosmetic changes, such as color door handles and mirrors, and suedelike seat material. The EX-L trim adds leather seats, heated front passenger seats, and audio features. The navigation system is available at this trim level, as is the optional rear entertainment system. But interestingly, you can opt for either the navigation system or the entertainment system, but for some reason, not both.
The navigation and entertainment limitation could influence buyers looking for a family hauler, but it shouldn't be enough to make families cross the CR-V off the shopping list. Honda seems to be paying attention to just how big and bulky baby gear has become, and the CR-V's design offers features to accommodate all of it nicely.
More convenient cargo space
The 2012 Honda CR-V's cargo floor is an inch lower than the previous generation's, which makes it easier to load groceries, luggage, and strollers. It also adds an extra 1.5 cubic inches of cargo capacity behind the second row where families need it most. However, with the second row seats folded flat, the cargo capacity is reduced from 72.9 cubic feet to 70.9 cubic feet. Buyers probably won't notice that reduction because, thanks to the new fold-flat feature, the cargo floor is 5 inches longer than the previous model, making the space more versatile.