UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: HONDA CR-V 2.2 I-CTDI

Our first December car this year was the Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi, a finalist at last year’s South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ Car of the Year competition. We really enjoy the CR-V and its completeness as an everyday car, a soft-road SUV and an economical cruiser capable of running for 700km/ 435 miles without filling up. That’s right, 700km.

Today we take a look at the space elements of the CR-V, next week we’ll focus on the powertrain.

Looks different from the previous generation

Honda went through a long process in order to change the face of its mid-size SUV, the CR-V. Always a capable vehicle, the CR-V in 2008 became even more so. Design became more important to Honda for the CR-V due to changing market tastes, including attracting younger family buyers. So the front end is sportier, with more pronounced elements like chrome. The rear slopes backwards for a more aerodynamic look as well. That last chrome line just after the C-pillar slopes very quickly for a reason. In the concept car it represented the actual line, but practicality meant that if it really did become the actual line then rear space would be severely compromised. So it had to go.

It does seem very spacious

Quite spacious. The CR-V measures 4.5 metres in overall length, with a wheelbase of over 2.6m. Occupants won’t complain about being uncomfortable inside, especially rear seat passengers who can also adjust their back support to a small degree for even better comfort. Our example was fitted with soft leather seats, making journeys supple and cozy. Normally cars have a tunnel that runs in the middle of the car and houses the driveshaft and other components like exhaust pipes. It would protrude in the interior from about the front middle right to the back and cause mid-seat rear passengers to sit either with their legs open or with one or two legs on the tunnel, creating minor discomfort. The Honda CR-V doesn’t have this tunnel running visibly in the car, therefore creating even more interior space.

Of course other holes that accommodate are the two-part cubby with a lockable bottom, a below-dash space stasher, four cup holders upfront and four at the rear (with the mid-seat open). There is more storage space in the middle at the front, and pockets in all four passenger doors. Armrests for driver and front passenger give cruising relaxation that a higher degree of relevance. The boot also works as a storage device, and can be expanded by laying the rear seats flat.

What are the nice comforts?

Power steering, electric mirrors and driver’s power seat (sorry front passenger), dual-zone air conditioning that allows two different temperature settings for the two sides of the CR-V so no more fighting over who is insensitive to cold or who’s not, and a radio/ CD player that reads MP3s too. Steering wheel is adjustable both for reach (telescopically) and height. An auxiliary jack for portable MP3 players was included as well.