Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC road test (equipment, prices and assessment)

Equipment

Honda offers the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC in Spain in three trim levels, Confort, Elegance and Lifestyle; the unit we tested was a CR-V Elegance, the most balanced version in terms of equipment. Let us look at the equipment of each of the versions of the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC.

The CR-V Confort comes with traction and stability control, Start/Stop and the Eco Assist system as its main features. In terms of styling, it has LED daytime running lights and 17” alloy wheels, while for comfort it is fitted with dual-zone climate control and steering-wheel controls.

In the Elegance version, in addition to the Confort equipment, it adds front and rear parking sensors, a parking camera, Bluetooth connectivity with hands-free function, and as comfort features a front windscreen with rain sensor and headlights with light sensor.

In the Lifestyle trim, the most complete for this engine, you get xenon front headlights with automatic levelling plus active cornering lights. It also features privacy glass, a premium audio system with subwoofer, 18-inch wheels and painted roof rails.

The satellite navigation and the One Motion system for folding the rear seats are two very important features in terms of comfort and usability.

Prices

This 1.6 i-DTEC engine with 120 CV reaches the Spanish range with the aim of offering entry-level variants of the CR-V range. Specifically, the price list starts at 24,400 euros for the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC Confort; the Elegance is sold for 26,900 euros, while the Lifestyle costs 30,300 euros.

The remaining prices are structured as follows:

CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC 4WD Manual

• Elegance — 29,900€
• Lifestyle — 32,800€
• Luxury — 37,000€
• Innova — 36,900€

CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC 4WD Automatic

• Lifestyle — 34,800€
• Luxury — 39,000€
• Innova — 41,600€

CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC 4WD Manual

• Elegance — 31,100€
• Lifestyle — 33,400€
• Executive — 35,400€
• Luxury — 37,600€
• Innova — 40,200€

CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC 4WD Automatic

• Elegance — 33,100€
• Lifestyle — 35,400€
• Executive — 37,400€
• Luxury — 39,600€
• Innova — 42,200€

Final assessment

The on-board experience of the Honda CR-V has been more than satisfactory: a well-balanced vehicle in many respects, comfortable, with plenty of space on board, very good quality and fit, and correct equipment. To this we must add adequate dynamic behaviour, really attractive consumption figures and a competitive price.

The Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC tested in this road test sits in a very competitive segment, but it offers attributes that make it a very valid option: space, comfort, efficiency, and all this and more in a front-wheel-drive mid-size SUV with an attractive design. Without a doubt, it satisfies not one but several needs of an increasingly demanding customer profile.

We liked the feel through the steering wheel, and how easy it was to drive the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC in virtually any situation. Lighting, as well as visibility, are aspects worth highlighting, and they contribute notably to driving and comfort. Consumption is one of the CR-V’s great strengths, close to 5 litres at a normal pace in everyday driving conditions.

If we think about areas for improvement, the seats felt a little firm, something that may be more noticeable on long journeys. Something similar happens with the noise levels inside the cabin, so these are two comfort aspects to bear in mind. In terms of dynamics, the braking could be more forceful given the vehicle’s weight and height.

The value for money of equipment and price is very attractive, especially in this Elegance variant, which is sufficient for almost any profile. Precisely with the typical user in mind, one might think of families, but the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC goes further: people with sporting hobbies and even professional use. We believe this Honda CR-V is versatile enough.

A smart bet from Honda: an affordable car with good performance to compete in a segment where it faces rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai ix35, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Kuga, among others trying to win over a very special segment.

Technical specifications of this car

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