The 2015 Honda CR-V caters to small families with excellent safety features and ratings, and impressive interior room and a larger cargo capacity. No wonder the CR-V has been rated one of the top compact crossovers for the past several years. The CR-V offers a higher ride height for better visibility, spacious cargo and good fuel economy.  The 2015 model has a few new features too.

Interior

The 2015 CR-V’s upgraded interior offers more space and leg room, comparable to a mid-size sedan. There are new rear passenger vents, and a new center console with armrests. I liked the convenience of all the USB ports in the center console, within reach for my passengers too.

Honda’s touchscreen infotainment system includes Bluetooth pairing with audio streaming capability, text-messaging support, a USB port and auxiliary audio input jack, and smartphone mobile app integration via HondaLink technology. I had a little bit of trouble figuring out how to sync my phone and figure out some of the features – I would need to further read the manual.

Exterior

As for the Honda’s body, it too has a refreshed exterior with new headlights, grille, bumpers, and wheels. The front end looks like a car, but then the body and rear is higher and boxy like an SUV. Other features include rear privacy-tinted glass, black heated power side mirrors including expanded view driver’s mirror, front and rear splash guards and multi-reflector halogen headlights with auto-off.

Cargo Space

Cargo space is plentiful with 35.2 cubic feet of space, and by folding the rear seats down, 70.9 cubic feet of space. While the trunk offers plenty of room, thanks to the boxy back end of the vehicle, I’m concerned that with two boys playing hockey, their gear may not fit in the trunk as they grow older. Thinking about tournaments and bringing hockey gear as well as suitcases, cargo space may be an issue.

Safety

The CRV has a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. There are new safety features including LaneWatch camera technology for the right side of the CR-V, a lane-departure warning system, a lane-keeping assist system, a forward-collision warning system, and a collision-mitigation braking system. SmartVent airbags are new, too, and the available HondaLink smartphone connectivity system offers automatic collision notification once you’ve opted in to the service.

Performance

Honda has upped its functionality by adding tech features like the available Display Audio System with HondaLink™ Next Generation and by introducing available Honda Sensing™ technologies that include features like the Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

The 2015 CR-V has a new 2.4-litre 16-valve, Direct Injection DOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), generating 185 horsepower and 181-lb. ft. of torque. New to the CRV, CVT offers a wide ratio range for the driving conditions, to help provide a natural-feeling drive with efficiency in mind.

The CR-V is easy handling and maneuverability. For drivers who want all-wheel drive, the available Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System gives the CR-V a solid ride. It is designed to help provide traction in low-grip driving conditions such as snow, rain and unpaved road surfaces, and delivers a faster, more intuitive initial response when a loss of traction is detected. I’d be curious to drive the CR-V in the snow, as I always change out my vehicle’s tires for winter tires.

Fuel Economy

With Earth Dreams™ Technology, the CR-V’s powertrain is designed to increase fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance.

Eco Assist coaches you to drive more efficiently, using coloured lights on either side of the speedometer to show you how efficiently you’re driving. With a push of the ECON mode button, ECON mode is activated, a feature designed to improve fuel efficiency by automatically adjusting the CR-V’s engine and other auxiliary systems.

 

The CR-V has been rated one of the top compact crossovers for the past several years, but the 2015 model has more features than ever before. With a reasonable price tag, it’s clear why the Honda CR-V remains a top family car pick. More info and specs here.