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Mike Sinclair14 Oct 2016
NEWS

All-new Honda CR-V debuts

Fifth-gen Honda SUV boasts turbo power and "palpable quality increase"

Honda debuted the 2017 CR-V medium SUV in the USA overnight. All-new, redesigned and re-engineered, the new CR-V is the fifth generation of the crossover. It debuts new turbocharged petrol powertrains and what local Honda Australia sources have described as "a palpable quality increase".

The new CR-V goes on sale in the USA before the end of 2016 but Australian sales will not commence until the second half of 2017.

Drawing on the design language debuted in the 10th-generation Civic and built on the same global platform, the new CR-V is a touch more aggressive in terms of styling. Honda has trimmed the front and rear overhangs, it claims, and says the CR-V gets slimmer A-pillars for better visibility. "Wing-shaped" daylight running lamps set a new signature for the front end coupled with an active, shutter grille that's claimed to decrease aerodynamic drag.

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Specification details are scare at this stage, but US-sourced info suggests the new CR-V is approximately 40mm longer overall and rides on a correspondingly longer wheelbase. Despite the looks, it's also taller than the current car. Let's hope there's a better than corresponding increase in cabin space.

There's no news on a seven-seat version as yet.

Under the bonnet, the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four featured in the Civic is the star of the show. In the USA, lower grades of the new SUV will also be available with an updated version of Honda's existing 2.4-litre petrol four. We'd expect a similar line-up Down Under along with a choice of both front and all-wheel drive variants.

Both engines are exclusively paired with the Civic's continuously variable transmission (CVT). No fuel or performance figures have been released for the new CR-V. The new vehicle rides on a range of 17 and 18-inch alloys.

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The Civic's infotainment system will also likely carry over. Thus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is assured.

Honda Australia execs are not commenting officially on the all-new CR-V this morning but their US counterparts are upbeat.

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"The new Honda CR-V raises the bar in every imaginable way, delivering more performance, space and premium content together with higher fuel economy ratings and value than ever before," gushed Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division.

"Customers are going to love what they see and what they experience behind the wheel of this new CR-V."

Recently, Honda Australia director Stephen Collins told motoring.com.au he expected the new-gen CR-V to regain its place near the top of the local sales charts.

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"I can't see any reason why we can't get double-digit market share in the private market, and if we do that we'll be one of the top players," Collins stated.

"I think performance is one area that we're looking to improve. The ride, the handling – I think what we're looking for is 'fun to drive'. We believe we delivered that with the Civic.

"And I think when we talk about CR-V, it's that fun-to-drive aspect combined with quality, a premium interior and all that sort of stuff which you'll see," he said.

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