Autoblog

2012 CR-V proves that Honda and good looks don't need to be strangers

Chris Shunk — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:14:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Honda, Design/Style

The fourth generation Honda CR-V has flown under the radar so far, but given that the hot-selling crossover hits dealers on December 15, the Los Angeles Auto Show is as good an opportunity as any for Honda to play show-and-tell. The 2012 CR-V receives all-new sheetmetal, and the result is a more refined look that should give Honda fans some hope for the future. The interior has also been greatly improved, with a more contemporary layout, quick-stow rear seats and gobs of storage, though the top of the instrument panel and door caps are still rendered in hard plastic.

Power comes from Honda's faithful 2.4-liver i-VTEC four-cylinder, with 185 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque - thats five more horsepower and two additional lb-ft compared to the outgoing CR-V. The transmission continues to be Honda's tried and true five-speed automatic, which is a bit of a disappointment given the competition's flurry of next-generation gearboxes offering more ratios. Still, Honda promises very competitive fuel economy numbers of 31 miles per gallon on the highway and 23 mpg in the city for the front-wheel drive model. The all-wheel drive variant should deliver an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Honda also pledges to offer more bang for the buck for customers with a range of new standard features. The 2012 CR-V will include standard Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, a multi-angle rearview camera and a full-color information display. The CR-V will also receive SMS text messaging capability, which reads incoming text messages over the audio system.

Honda is also very confident that the CR-V will perform extremely well in safety testing, as the automaker proclaimed during its press conference that this new model will achieve IIHS Top Safety Pick status and net a Five-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Hit the jump to read over the official press release, but check out our photos first.

Continue reading 2012 CR-V proves that Honda and good looks don't need to be strangers

2012 CR-V proves that Honda and good looks don't need to be strangers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Production 2012 CR-V revealed by JDM Honda website

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Crossover, Honda, Design/Style

The North American-spec 2012 Honda CR-V won't officially debut until the Los Angeles Auto Show in just a couple of weeks, but thanks to the automaker's own Japanese website, we're now getting our first glimpse at the production version of the new crossover - at least the JDM version, which isn't expected to differ much. Honda previously teased us with a shot of a CR-V Concept, which, flashy as it may have been, gave us a good idea of exactly what the final design would look like.

In addition to the CUV's decidedly predictable exterior, Honda's Japanese site gives us a sneak peak inside the CR-V, where things don't appear to change all that much from the current model. Under the hood, Honda will continue to employ its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, though a new six-speed automatic transmission is expected to be on tap for 2012, which should aid fuel economy and performance.

We'll have the full details on the new CR-V in the not-too-distant future, but in the meantime, see it for yourself over on Honda's Japanese site to get a glimpse at what's to come.

Production 2012 CR-V revealed by JDM Honda website originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Honda CR-V to spawn compact pickup?

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Honda, Rumormill

The Honda Ridgeline is dead! Long live the Honda Ridgeline!

Despite a coming refresh for the 2012 model year, Honda has been widely reported as planning to send its unibody Ridgeline down the same road as its Element and S2000 after 2013. Even if that's true, that doesn't necessarily mean the curtain will have completely closed on the automaker's pickup truck offerings. According to AutoWeek, the next-generation Honda CR-V - previewed in the official concept image seen above - could spawn a compact pickup variant. Since the CR-V is itself based on the Civic, in a roundabout way, this could mean that we're looking at a Civic pickup, which is a bit tough to wrap one's head around.

A full-size car-based pickup never really set Honda's sales charts on fire, so maybe a smaller iteration will do the trick, right? We'll believe it when we see it.

In the meantime, Honda has a bunch of other updates planned for the next few years, including the launch of an all-new Accord in 2012. The next Accord will once again be offered with a hybrid variant (which hasn't been offered since 2007), and this gasoline-electric powertrain could also find its way under the hood of the CR-V.

Elsewhere in Honda's portfolio, AW asserts that the slow-selling Crosstour will finally get an entry-level four-cylinder model, and the Pilot will get a complete overhaul in the fall of 2013. Furthermore, rumors of a hotter Mugen-inspired CR-Z are still being mumbled, and a Fit EV city car may arrive as early as 2012.

Next Honda CR-V to spawn compact pickup? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Honda CR-V prototype in crackup on PCH

Noah Joseph — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Honda, Toyota

It's an unfortunate reality of automotive transportation, but accidents are all too common. This one, however, appears to be anything but.

While merging onto California's legendary Pacific Coast Highway, one motorist/blogger was hit by another car. What makes the incident a little more out-of-the-ordinary is the vehicle that hit the blogger: the motorist in question was struck by a test mule for the new 2012 Honda CR-V, still wearing prototype camouflage and everything.

Given that the impacted CUV - which subsequently collided with several more oncoming vehicles - was a Toyota Highlander, and that a Lexus RX (whose platform it incidentally shares) was also part of the pileup, a small part of us can't help wonder if the Toyota vs. Honda rivalry hadn't spilled over from the Japanese boardrooms and dealer lots onto the streets of California. Thankfully, everybody appears to be okay, if a bit shaken up. Follow the link to read and see more of the accident on NOTCOT.

2012 Honda CR-V prototype in crackup on PCH originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Honda CR-V previewed with new concept? [UPDATE]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Honda

With spy shots popping up on our radar at least twice in the past few months, we've been anticipating the arrival of a new Honda CR-V. And now the solitary image above has been circulating around these interwebs, ~~reportedly~~ giving us an advance look at the show car that will preview the new production model.

In typical Honda fashion, the purported concept vehicle pictured above appears to be a slightly jazzed-up version of the production CR-V expected to debut shortly. When it does enter production in Ohio and Ontario, it will likely lose the showy jumbo wheels, smoked headlamps, tinted windows and high-gloss lower body cladding, but otherwise, what you see is likely what you'll get.

Mechanically, the new crossover is expected to pick up largely where the outgoing model leaves off, but with a few important changes. Though the 2.4-liter engine - driving either the front wheels or optionally all four - could get a slight adjustment in output and efficiency, it is tipped to ditch its five-speed mate for a new six-speed automatic. The longer form also looks ready to adopt an extra pair of jump-seats in the back for seven-person capacity, but thus far, that's just a rumor.

~~We'll have to wait for further information from Honda to know for sure, but if the shot above turns out to be legit,~~ we could be looking at a very stylish new CR-V indeed.

UPDATE: Honda has confirmed the image above is the real deal, and it's even confirmed that the CR-V will debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim this September. Check out the official press release after the jump for more information.

Continue reading 2012 Honda CR-V previewed with new concept? [UPDATE]

2012 Honda CR-V previewed with new concept? [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda: Light truck sales outpace industry rebound

Chris Shunk — Thu, 06 May 2010 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Crossover, Honda

Honda Pilot - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda scored a decent U.S. sales month in April, with overall results up by 13 percent. But what has company insiders excited isn't strong Accord or Civic sales. Honda's light trucks, the Pilot, Odyssey, CRV and Ridgeline, were up 33 percent compared to April of 2009. Those vehicles comprise many of the most expensive vehicles in the Honda lineup, and a healthy source of profits.

Automotive News reports that Honda VP John Mendel called light truck sales "spry," adding that truck sales are up for several automakers, signaling that the U.S. sales downturn may be waning. Mendel also points to low inventory as a good sign for Honda, with light trucks sitting at a very low 42 day supply, down five days from March 1st levels. And while you've likely seen Honda's recent ads touting unprecedented incentives, keep in mind that light trucks are still at low incentive levels.

That's undoubtedly good news for Honda and its dealer body, yet Mendel reportedly cautions that dealers shouldn't get too giddy over the numbers. In the short term, though, the Honda VP intimated that some dealers may need to add salespeople as the auto industry continues to improve.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Honda: Light truck sales outpace industry rebound originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 May 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Honda goes back to drawing board for smaller, lighter next-gen Civic

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:26:00 EST

Filed under: Honda

2009 Honda Civic - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you introduced an '80s-era Honda Civic to its modern counterpart, it couldn't recognize what it's become. But after decades of growing dimensions, Honda's going back to the drawing board for the next-gen Civic.

The change in direction was reportedly ordered last year before the global economy took a nose-dive by product chief Tsuneo Tanai who observed a rise in oil and raw metal prices. Once the financial sector hit rock bottom, the Civic emerged as a strong player, out-selling the Ford F-Series pickup as the number one vehicle in the United States in May 2008. Not satisfied with sitting back and seeing how things shape up, though, Tanai ordered his engineers and designers to scrap their plans and redesign the next-gen Civic to be smaller, cheaper, lighter and more fuel efficient.

The move coincides with Honda's re-strategizing vis-a-vis hybrids and electric vehicles, not to mention the cancellation of its V8 and rear-drive programs. But despite having put more people on the job, the decision to restart the Civic's development halfway through the process is sure to be a major setback for the company's lifecycle schedule. And not just for the Civic itself, but also for vehicles that share its platform, including the CR-V crossover, the Element sport-utility-box, the JDM Stream and European-market FR-V minivans, to say nothing of the upcoming CR-Z, Acura RDX, and of course the all-important Canadian-market Acura CSX.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Civic

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

REPORT: Honda goes back to drawing board for smaller, lighter next-gen Civic originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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P.S.A. - Facelifted 2010 Honda CR-V coming Sept. 17

Dan Roth — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Japan, Crossover, Honda

You're excused if you look at these images and see little more than the Honda CR-V that we already know and love. According to a corner of its home-market website, the Japanese automaker is debuting what it calls the "new CR-V" on September 17th, possibly at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Already a hot perennial seller, Honda is understandably cautious to mess too much with success, though calling this updating anything other than a mid-cycle refresh is a bit of a stretch.

Subtle grille and fascia changes are about the extent of what we can make out from the limited images, leaving the CR-V a good looking sales workhorse in Honda's stable. We'll all have to hold our breath until mid-September when the whole enchilada will be revealed and we'll find out if there are changes under the skin worth talking about.

[Source: Honda Japan via Carscoop]

P.S.A. - Facelifted 2010 Honda CR-V coming Sept. 17 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to double North American production of the CR-V

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Honda

Recently, Honda has had issues with keeping supply and demand in check with its newest products. Waiting lists for everything from the Civic Si to the Honda Fit have become bones of contention with consumers, and the recently redesigned Honda CR-V was among them earlier this year. Sales of Honda's cute 'ute have been on an upwards trajectory during 2007, with over 167,000 units sold thus far -- a 44-percent jump over the previous year. Analysts contend that buyers who used to flock to the Ford Explorer are now looking at smaller, more fuel-efficient offerings, bolstering sales of the CR-V along with Toyota's RAV4.

Honda is constantly trying to keep a balance between imported and domestically made products, so it's considering doubling the North American production of the CR-V. The move would come at a perfect time, as CR-V sales have officially eclipsed sales of the Explorer, the U.S.'s best selling SUV for 14 years.

[Source: Detroit News]

Honda to double North American production of the CR-V originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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