The new Special Edition trim slots in between the base LX and the higher-level EX – and below the top-spec EX-L and Touring models. It'll be available in either front- or all-wheel-drive configurations, with prices starting at $24,395 for the former and $25,695 for the latter. That's the MSRP without taxes, registration, or the $880 destination charge. What that boils down to is a modest $800 premium over the base model, which doesn't strike us as a whole lot to ask for the extra equipment – never mind the "special edition" handle.
Perhaps most telling, though, is that Honda hasn't released any specific photos for the CR-V Special Edition. It has, however, given us a fresh batch of the 2016 model altogether. And you can check it out in the gallery above, along with the details in the press release below.
Coming off a year of record sales and numerous industry accolades, the exceptionally well received Honda CR-V returns for 2016 with a Special Edition trim offering exterior and security upgrades over LX
Oct 6, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif. -- After a major refresh for 2015 that brought a new powertrain, significantly enhanced exterior and interior styling and a long list of new standard and available features, the 2016 Honda CR-V returns with a new Special Edition (SE) trim and a lineup with a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $23,595.1
The new Special Edition CR-V is positioned above the LX trim by adding larger 17-inch alloy wheels with an exclusive two tone finish, second-row and rear privacy glass, and security system. With only an $800 premium over the LX, the SE represents a high-value proposition for the premium look and additional feature content.
In addition to the highly prestigious Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year honor, the refreshed 2015 CR-V garnered numerous industry accolades. These include:
- 2015 ALG Residual Value Award: Best Compact Utility
- 2015 Kelly Blue Book Best Buy: Small SUV/Crossover
- Kelly Blue Book 2015 Top 10 Best Resale Value award
- U.S. News & World Report, 2015 Best Cars for Families, compact sport utility vehicle award
- Cars.com/USA Today/"Motorweek" 2015 Compact SUV Challenge winner
- Parents magazine and Edmunds.com 10 Best Family Cars for 2015, best crossover
- AutoPacific 2015 Vehicle Satisfaction Award
The CR-V is a perennial favorite of American car buyers and at nearly 3.5 million units sold since its introduction in 1997, it is the segment's best-selling model of all time2. In fact, CR-V is the best-selling SUV over the past two decades3. Since its introduction in October 2014 the refreshed 2015 CR-V has been on a record breaking sales run with nine of the last 12 months being best individual sales months for the model and August ranking as CR-V's all-time best month with sales of almost 35,000 units. The 2015 model also contributed to the best ever annual sales of over 335,000 CR-Vs sold in 2014. With year-to-date sales through September 2015 far surpassing the same period a year ago, CR-V is poised to set another all-time annual sales record and is on its way to six straight years of sales growth and four straight years of record-setting annual sales. Moreover, CR-V is the best-selling SUV in America to millennial buyers4.
The new Special Edition (SE) trim is positioned between the LX and the EX and is available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) versions. Together with the top-of-the-line Touring version introduced last year that includes the Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies, CR-V is now available in 12 trim/wheel drive versions. View, build and price a 2016 Honda CR-V at automobiles.honda.com/cr-v.
2016 CR-V Pricing and EPA Fuel Economy Ratings | |||
Trim |
Wheel Drive |
MSRP1 |
EPA MPG5 (city/highway/combined) |
LX |
FWD |
$23,595 |
26/33/29 |
LX |
AWD |
$24,895 |
25/31/27 |
SE |
FWD |
$24,395 |
26/33/29 |
SE |
AWD |
$25,695 |
25/31/27 |
EX |
FWD |
$25,845 |
26/33/29 |
EX |
AWD |
$27,145 |
25/31/27 |
EX-L |
FWD |
$28,295 |
26/33/29 |
EX-L |
AWD |
$29,595 |
25/31/27 |
EX-L Navi |
FWD |
$29,795 |
26/33/29 |
EX-L Navi |
AWD |
$31,095 |
25/31/27 |
Touring |
FWD |
$31,945 |
26/33/29 |
Touring |
AWD |
$33,245 |
25/31/27 |
Display Audio
CR-V includes the 7-inch capacitive touchscreen Display Audio telematics interface. Display Audio, standard on EX and above trim levels, allows the user to tap, pinch, and swipe – just like on a smart phone or tablet – to control audio and other telematics features, including the available next-generation HondaLink™6 and the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System™7. All CR-Vs include the full-color "intelligent" Multi-Information Display (i-MID) that offers a range of customizable features via fingertip controls on the steering wheel. The CR-V's audio and telematics systems offer a high level of connectivity, including a standard Pandora®8 interface and SMS text messaging function, Bluetooth®9 HandsFreeLink® phone interface.
Powertrain
The 2016 CR-V is powered by an Earth Dreams™ Technology 2.4-liter direct-injected DOHC i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower10 and 181 lb-ft of torque11. The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provides smooth, seamless ratio changes and helped the CR-V receive EPA fuel economy ratings of 26/33/29 mpg5 (city/highway/combined) for front-wheel-drive and 25/31/27 mpg5 for the Real Time AWD models.
Chassis
Utilizing optimally tuned front MacPherson strut front and a rear multi-link suspension and features such as Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)12 and Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS), the 2016 CR-V provides a car-like driving experience, which is enhanced further on the SE and above trims with wider front and rear track dimensions due to wider wheels. The rear multi-link system helps maximize rear seating and cargo space while providing stable and comfortable handling and ride quality. High-capacity shock absorbers help deliver a refined driving feel.
Safety
The CR-V's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) front body structure helps make the CR-V highly effective at absorbing and dispersing the energy of a frontal collision crash. Additional standard safety equipment on all models include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) electronic stability control system, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist, frontal airbags, side-curtain airbags, SmartVent® front-side airbags and a front seat design that can help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. The available Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive features includes Honda LaneWatch™, Forward Collision Warning (FCW)13, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)14, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)15 and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)16. The 2016 CR-V is targeted to achieve top safety ratings, including a TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a NCAP 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA.