Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC road test (Engine, performance, handling and consumption)

Following the arrival of the new Honda CR-V, the Japanese manufacturer equips the renewed SUV with the 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine producing 120 CV with Earth Dreams Technology, unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, which my colleague Javi had already tested in the Honda Civic. Now at Highmotor we take the wheel of the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC 120 CV and tell you all about it in this road test.

Engine and performance

The powertrain of the Honda CR-V we tested is the first of a generation being developed under the name Earth Dreams Technology. The 1.6 i-DTEC 120 CV is the lightest diesel engine in its class, and it surprises with appealing performance and genuinely low consumption and emissions figures, the ultimate expression of downsizing.

This 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine delivers those 120 horsepower from 4,000 rpm, and a generous 300 Nm of maximum torque from 2,000 rpm. The Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.2 seconds and reaching a top speed of 182 km/h. In short, acceptable figures for a mid-size SUV.

This engine is paired exclusively with front-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual gearbox, so the Honda CR-V 1.6 in this test has a more urban orientation than the rest of the versions, both in performance, in off-road capability and in consumption, the strong point of this vehicle, as we verified during our test.

Handling

When we climb into the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC and turn the key, we find that it is a noisy engine on a cold start (as expected), but also at idle under normal conditions and while gaining speed in the first gears. This is attributed to the unit’s inherent decibel levels but also to the cabin’s soundproofing.

Once under way, we notice that noise and road roar increase due to tyre rolling, which becomes more noticeable at medium-to-high speeds. Another aspect we noticed from the first gear changes is that the front seats are slightly firm and offer little lateral support; they are too upright.

Despite this, the driving position is really good. At the natural height of a mid-size SUV, here 1,685 mm, combined with the flat floor, we have an excellent view of the dashboard, centre console and instrumentation, as well as of the surroundings. Forward visibility is quite good, with large wing mirrors and rear-view mirror.

It is a cliché to demand much of an SUV in corners, but the CR-V handles very well. The steering communicates what is needed to hold the line without over-correcting and without noticeable excessive body roll, everything within expectations. At lower speeds the CR-V becomes somewhat clumsy, although it remains always controllable and smooth in its movements.

The suspension is rather firm, which explains the car’s behaviour in corners, a set-up that holds correctly what we command through the steering. The first negative point is the braking, which lacks bite: the pedal gives no faithful feedback and stopping distances are longer than desired.

The clutch feels slightly long in action, while the gear lever offers sufficient precision to shift quickly through any of the 6 gears. Furthermore, it sits in an ideal position, and the steering wheel size is perfect, genuinely comfortable, which gives confidence when moving the nearly 1,600 kilos of the Honda CR-V.

The engine has surprised us, given the weight, dimensions and type of vehicle: its 120 CV have risen to the occasion. At low revs you will get nothing, so you must be patient, but from 2,000 rpm onwards the push is clearly felt. Although it is slightly rough, the 1.6 i-DTEC performs well as revs climb, building torque and speed correctly.

In ECO mode, which gives a slightly firmer accelerator feel, performance remains at an adequate level. Reactions are slower but the behaviour stays correct. For an average driver profile, it delivers adequate performance and lower consumption, our next point of analysis.

Consumption

The Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC is homologated at an average consumption of 4.5 litres per 100 km. Over the course of our test (practically 700 km), the on-board computer showed 5.2 l/100 km with an average speed of 50 km/h, a figure obtained in ECO mode, with a normal driving style, without being especially efficient nor demanding much from the CR-V.

On a specific test on an interurban road, the M-40 in Madrid, over a route of 100 km (50 out and 50 back), consumption was 4 litres at an average speed of 88 km/h. In another specific test (180 km), combining motorway, interurban road and city driving (average speed 40 km/h), we obtained an average consumption of 5 litres according to the computer.

In the final test, 50 km in the city at an average speed of 29 km/h, the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC required 8 litres, according to the computer. We consider these figures very good given the type of car and its dimensions. A consumption of around 5 litres is genuinely surprising; without ECO mode it would probably rise by half a litre.

But imagining the typical user, perhaps a family using the Honda CR-V for journeys, it should not surprise anyone if average motorway consumption sits between 6 and 7 litres, a figure that would still be within acceptable limits. We close the first part of the test of the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC 120 CV; the second part will be out very soon.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadHonda CR-V4 versions · from 51,545 €