You want a Honda CR-V: Honda’s CR-V hardly needs introduction. One of the mainstays of the “sport cute” segment, the CR-V is on pretty much any shopping list that includes compact crossover vehicles. Dependability, versatility and a very specific ubiquity that mainstream buyers claim they don’t want but so often end up seeking anyways have kept it at the top of the sales charts.
That’s unlikely to change with 2015’s revisions. The styling of the previous model, a little outré for mainstream Canadians (see above), has been rendered a little more SUV traditional. The direct-injected “Earth Dreams” engine has been revised for more torque (181 pound-feet versus the outgoing model’s 163), even though, at 185-hp, the 2.4-litre four’s maximum power is unchanged. Thanks to that extra torque, Honda Canada claims the newish (the 2015 CR-V update is strictly classified as a mid-model refresh) CR-V is more than a second quicker to 100 kilometres an hour. The company also says that, thanks to its CVT transmission and the new direct injection EFI system, fuel economy is improved some 16 per cent, even though, because of Natural Resources Canada’s new five-cycle testing, it may not be so apparent on the 2015’s spec sheet.
2015 Honda CR-V
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
2015 Honda CR-V
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
The 2015 Honda CR-V has proven to be comfortable and roomy.
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
2015 Honda CR-V.
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2015 Honda CR-V
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
2015 Honda CR-V.
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
The 2015 Honda CR-V has a refined ride and an upscale-feeling cabin.
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
2015 Honda CR-V
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
The 2015 Honda CR-V has useful storage cubbies to hold all your things.
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
The 2015 Honda CR-V has more sophisticated driving manners than before.
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
2015 Honda CR-V
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
The 2015 Honda CR-V has a well-sorted CVT.
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
The 2015 Honda CR-V is both quicker and more fuel efficient than the one that came before it.
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
2015 Honda CR-V
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
We finally took the winter tires off our long-term 2015 Honda CR-V tester.
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
The 2015 Honda CR-V isn't the sportiest crossover on the market, but it holds its own.
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
2015 Honda CR-V
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
2015 Honda CR-V.
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2015 Honda CR-V.
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2015 Honda CR-V.
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2015 Honda CR-V.
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2015 Honda CR-V.
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2015 Honda CR-V.
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
Fold the 60/40-split seats down, and you get 2,007 L of space in the CR-V.
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2015 Honda CR-V
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
2015 Honda CR-V
PHOTO: John LeBlanc, Driving
There’s also a host of new technologies inside the cabin, the coolest one being HondaLink that allows you to “pair” apps from your cell phone directly to the dashboard’s LED screen. And while the most important of those will be the navigation function, some of the music apps are tres cool. Additionally, there’s a host of new high-tech safety items like adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Mitigation (which automatically applies the brakes if the system senses an impending collision) and Lane Keeping Assist (which gently guides you back into your lane if the CR-V goes walkabout).
Read more: 60 days with the 2015 Honda CR-V
In other words, the CR-V is all that it has ever been, only prettier, a little more powerful, significantly more fuel efficient and chock-a-block with new convenience, infotainment and safety technologies. Its popularity will not diminish.
You want a little sport in your utility: Mazda’s CX-5 isn’t nominally more powerful than the CR-V. The optional 2.5-litre four boasts similar 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque (an anemic 2.0L is available but it can only muster a seriously wimpy 155 hp), but it is slightly quicker to 100 kilometres an hour. More importantly, at least for anyone that wants superior chassis control, the Mazda’s suspension is firmer, the steering a little more direct and its handling more balanced. We tested the CX-5 versus the CR-V and the rest of its segment mates around Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s development track and the Mazda was the best handling CUV of the lot. The CX-5’s interior could use some rejuvenation and the engine can drone on a bit, but it’s not that much worse in this regard than the new CR-V. The 2015 CX-5 is a good alternative if you’re looking for more pizzazz than the CR-V can muster.
Mazda’s popular-selling CX-5 compact sport-ute gets a mid-cycle refresh for 2016.
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 gets a few needed upgrades to the interior.
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD's handling dynamics stress agility.
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD's infotainment system is a bit too complicated than it needs to be.
PHOTO: Brian Harper, Driving
You want family transportation and are willing to admit your SUV is really just a minivan in disguise: Then how about a used Toyota Sienna? Seriously, it has the CR-V beat in many key fronts, its only negative, admittedly a large one these days, being that it looks especially minivan-ish. You can get an economical 2.7-litre four if you shop 2010 or later, though all-wheel-drive is only available with the more expensive 3.5L V6. The second row of seats is more comfortable than the CR-V’s and ingress/egress is minivan-friendly. Stowage is also a forte. And don’t be worried about buying a used one (new Siennas can fetch up to $50,000), Toyota’s dependability is legendary and the Sienna’s maintenance costs particularly frugal. A 2012 V6 with low miles will set you back about $20,000, a four-banger a couple of grand cheaper. The biggest problem is that they’re so reliable owners don’t want to sell them.
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2015 Toyota Sienna
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
You want Honda versatility, but in a smaller and cheaper package: Late to the subcompact CUV segment, Honda’s new HR-V is just about to hit the market. Cheaper than the CR-V (the base price is $20,690 versus the CR-V’s entry-level MSRP of $25,990), the HR-V is powered by a smaller 1.8-litre four mated to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Yes, the engine is a little pokier than the CR-V’s larger 2.4L that boasts 44 more horsepower and 54 more pound-feet of torque. And, because it has to work harder there can be some audible protest when you ask for serious acceleration, especially when the 1.8L is mated with the CVT transmission. But the HR-V’s little four gets the job done and is a little more economical in the fuel consumption department as well. It also offers the same Real-Time All-Wheel-Drive system as the CR-V (front-wheel-drive is also available) and is only 10 millimetres shorter in the wheelbase department. Its overall length, however, is 263-mm shorter. So, while front and rear legroom is comparable with the CR-V, the HR-V has significantly less cargo capacity. Nonetheless, for loyal Honda fans looking for a CR-V on a budget, the HR-V is a mighty attractive alternative.
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
The 2016 Honda HR-V is a versatile, family-oriented compact crossover.
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Handout, Honda
2016 Honda HR-V
PHOTO: Handout, Honda