We are with the Honda CR-V.
The CR-V was selling with 1.6 liters diesel engine and manual gearbox for a long time.
And now it attained new and more powerful 1.6 diesel engines and automatic gearbox that were hotly-anticipated by everybody for a long while.
Let’s see how much the CR-V has strengthened its hand with this twosome.
Let’s analyze it together.
Of course the innovations of the CR-V are not only under the bonnet.
There are some differences on the exterior design therefore we can say that the CR-V had a bit of a facelift.
The most attention grabbing item here is the day lights with LED.
Furthermore the new grill design that makes the car look more majestic and contemporary.
When we view from the sides, since there was no change at the dimension of the car there is no difference.
The only thing that stand out here are the wheel rims.
The rear of the CR-V like the front got its share of facelift.
I can not say that there are many differences since even I had to look at the pictures of the old version to decide.
What attract attention here are the chromium piece that has been added and continue towards the tail lights and some small changes here.
And finally the gray piece attached to the bumper.
Let’s leave these, what interests us is behind the boot lid.
Behind the electrically open boot lid 589 liters loading capacity is offered.
As this place has been organized properly you can load even big loads easily.
Since the loading bay is almost straight it increases the usability.
If only the boot lid close a bit faster.
Anyway it will close by itself, come let’s see what awaits us in the rear seats.
The rear doors of the CR-V, just as the doors of the Levorg I have previously tested, have a capacity to open 90 degrees.
Due to this, families can be very happy with this door and rear seats.
Let’s look at the knee room.
Believe me the knee room here is wide enough to be in an official car naturally with my sitting position.
I can say that the head room is also quite good.
An important advantage here is that since there is no transmission tunnel even the third passenger can sit here in comfort.
What are we doing now, I am going to sit behind the steering wheel and start the actual pleasurable part of the test.
Come on.
Let’s see how is the diesel automatic?
Naturally I will not test the car with my coat I can leave it here and start driving.
There are not any major changes in the interior of the CR-V.
There use to be a classical type music system here previously and now a big multi media screen is here instead.
The indicators are legible and the controls are under hand.
You can reach all of them easily.
One of the object of interest about this car is the quality of the materials used; you have asked this a lot.
Let me tell you this, you should first know that the Japanese do not place importance on the quality of the interior materials as the Europeans.
But when you look at the cockpit of the CR-V in general, I personally can say that it is of good quality.
In this, the soft plastics used on top and the light color leather upholstery have a great share.
For your small items there is a quite large space besides the hand break.
The steering of the CR-V is not very sensitive but its weight balance has been adjusted well.
Therefore it can be driven easily and comfortably.
If you ask me the suspension is comfortable too.
On highway driving you doesn’t feel any deficiency but on the rough surfaces of our country roads unfortunately it produces some unwanted noises.
Let us consider the engine and driving features of the CR-V.
As you know I have previously driven the CR-V’s 1.6 liters diesel engine with manual gearbox version.
Some of you will remember, I have said in the test that if this car will have diesel engine with automatic gearbox, it will be too good to be true.
Let’s see if this car has those features?
This 1.6 liters engine develops 160 HP and 350 Nm of torque.
When you look at these values you understand that the CR-V is very powerful anyway.
Let me mention what it gives you in the daily driving.
First of all the engine has a flexible disposition, in other words it is able to take you to high speeds without you feel when you press the pedal.
I can say that there is no problem there.
The engine with 350 Nm of torque answers your requirements in every speed range.
Let me talk about the gearbox a bit.
The 9 speed automatic gearbox that ZF developed works in harmony with the engine.
At normal driving it matches the agility of the engine without any problem.
The passes are quick and smooth.
In daily driving especially in the city traffic with lots of stop and go it stays a bit long in the first gear and sometimes is reluctant to change to the second gear.
This clearly makes you shake a bit inside.
I can say that I did not like this.
Apart from that the CR-V reached the too good to be true status with this engine gearbox combination.
On the subject of fuel consumption it is natural that it burns more than its less power full sibling because it has automatic gearbox.
Let me tell you what I have experienced.
I have been driving this car for a week and at the moment the trip computer indicates 7.1 liters fuel consumption averages.
In my opinion this value is very good for this car.
Before the test of this car too many enquiries came from you about the insulation.
Let me share my views with you about that.
The insulation of the car unfortunately is a bit weak.
Especially even now the road noise and when you reach high speeds the wind noise is heard in the cockpit exceedingly.
I do not know if this is inherit to this car but I can tell you that the noise level inside is really high.
The CR-V in my opinion has become very assertive with this new combination.
It is powerful as well as frugal and comfortable too.
Furthermore with spacious living space and big boot capacity it succeeds to find a place between the assertive models in its class.
Its price?
Though just a little, unfortunately, the price is higher than its rivals.
But I can still say distinctly that the CR-V is a very good choice in this class.
See you…