2010 - 2012 Honda Cr-v Ex-l Awd Review

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Past Andy Enright

Introduction

In the real world, the way people utilise their compact SUVs is resolutely road-based. Well-nigh such motorists would probably think 'green laning' was keeping at an economical 65mph on the deadening lane of a freeway. Honda, more than any other motorcar maker, is a company that lives in the real world, designing its products to suit. Cars similar this i, the improved third generation CR-V, continue a design approach based on bettering rivals where it counts.

An easy way to irritate Honda'south PR car has always been to call this car a '4x4', fifty-fifty though all 3 of its generations, the 1997 MK1, the 2002 MK2 and this 2006 MK3, accept all been all-wheel driven. The brand doesn't even similar the term 'SUV', though it can inappreciably avoid that when listing this car's direct rivals as Country Rover's Freelander and Toyota's RAV4. Both were essentially improved following the original introduction of the third generation version of this Honda, and then past 2010, this CR-V had to up its game too with a balmy facelift and a fresh diesel fuel engine that could be ordered with the car gearbox that and then many buyers wanted. Here's how to track downwards a decent used example.

Models

5dr meaty 4x4 (2.2 diesel [Juro])

History

The Honda CR-5 has established a assisting position for itself in the compact SUV / Crossover marketplace always since the outset generation motorcar arrived in 1997. If annihilation, this Japanese maker'southward offer was ahead of its time in that it made little pretence of being whatsoever good in the rough stuff. Instead, it concentrated on providing customers with a high level of ride and handling on the route, plus a family-friendly interior blueprint. The second generation model of 2002 barely deviated from this formula and neither did this Mk3 blueprint. It was just that past the time the third generation version was launched in 2006, the public were far better catered for with regard to small road-biased 4x4s. So the CR-V had a fight on its hands.

The MK3 model arrived in December 2006 with a pair of engines, ane petrol and ane diesel, and a trio of trim levels. Its key rivals were the Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV-four, two models that had been major players in the meaty 4x4 market for a long fourth dimension. Before too long, however, CR-V customers also had the likes of Citroen's C-Crosser, Peugeot's 4007, Mitsubishi's Outlander, Vauxhall's Antara, Chevrolet's Captiva, Renault Koleos, Volkswagen's Tiguan and the Ford Kuga to consider. Selection for the compact 4x4 customer had reached a zenith. Honda responded with a 2010 refresh which featured a cleaner, more powerful 2.ii-litre diesel fuel engine, an automatic gearbox choice for diesel models as well equally revised exterior styling. This model sold well right through to the motorcar's replacement, which was unveiled in the Autumn of 2012.

What Yous Get

Visually, there aren't too many differences with this revised third generation model. The changes amount to a fresh front bumper and grille, a revised rear bumper, smarter alloy wheels and colour coded bumpers on plusher versions. But so, non too many changes were needed. This MK3 design was, later on all, quite a step forward from its predecessor, with a lighter, wider just slightly shorter bodyshell claimed to be 85% stiffer. It was sleeker too, without traditionally clumsy SUV styling cues such as a side-opening tailgate with a swell large spare cycle stuck on the back. Who needs that? This revised shape also managed to be more spacious inside, though unlike some rivals, it couldn't accommodate a 3rd row of seats.

Still, the rear seats you do go are set high to offer occupants a good view. There's enough of legroom as well, which you can extend past sliding them back and forth to maximise either rider or luggage space. The backrest even reclines to actually let rear passengers flake out on longer trips. When not required, said seats (which split 60:twoscore at the base and 40:twenty:xl at the back) can be tumbled forwards and stowed upright to create a space large enough for a pair of mountain bikes. You won't fifty-fifty need to remove their front wheels. Actress versatility is served up with a neat 'Double Deck' luggage storage system created by a shelf that tin can take weights of upward to 10kg and sits just over a human foot off the load flooring. This hinged slab allows luggage below to remain easily attainable only out of view.

At the wheel where everything falls easily to mitt, there are an assortment of cubbyholes and segments for cabin storage. Honda hopes you'll detect the upgraded fabrics and plastics of this improved model, giving the CR-5 interior a more than premium finish. A slicker audio console design features too, though there are still a lot of fiddly buttons to familiarise yourself with on the multi-function steering cycle. Notwithstanding, the improved sound deadening around the engine and motel is welcome and, along with nice touches like the front seat armrests, makes this car an even quieter and more relaxing motorcar to drive.

What You Pay

Please contact us for an exact up-to-engagement valuation.

What to Await For

Honda's CR-V has racked up an impressive reliability record. Very few of these vehicles will have been driven off-road but there may exist a few rogue examples out at that place. To exist sure, bank check the underside of the car for knocks and scrapes. Make sure there's life in the clutch and that the tyres are in expert status and check for tired forepart dampers on diesels.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2011 CR-V 2.0 SE) A headlamp unit of measurement for your CR-V will set up you lot back around £200. A radiator retails for £150, whilst an alternator is £300 and a replacement starter motor will cost £240. Front brake pads are £50 for a pair, whilst an exhaust organization costs £400. A replacement catalyst is £450.

On the Route

The CR-V can handle gentle off-road tracks thanks to its iv-wheel drive organization only as always, yous should remember of this equally an all-wheel drive-equipped car rather than a 'proper' SUV. Like most such systems, it functions in front wheel drive unless a pair of pumps determine that at that place'due south a speed differential between axles, prompting drive to the rear wheels to kick in. It'southward not as fancy as the viscous couplings or electro-hydraulic clutches that other makers use, but it does the task, giving you 4WD traction when you want it and 2WD efficiency when you don't.

Nether the bonnet, the 148bhp 2.0-litre VTEC petrol option continues to be ignored by most CR-5 customers in favour of diesel ability, in this case an improved 148bhp 2.2-litre i-DTEC unit of measurement borrowed from the Accordance. It's pokier than its i-CTDi predecessor, with 10bhp more than and a more muscular peak torque figure of 350Nm that aids towing, reduces the need for constant gearchanging and enables you to pull from low revs with less turbo lag, handy for example, when you need to zippo out onto a busy roundabout.

You don't really experience the do good of all this and then much if y'all opt for the v-speed automatic model, a fact evidenced by the mode it saps two seconds from the 6-speed manual'due south 10.2s 0-60mph time, a rapid figure comparable to that accomplished past the petrol version. This in fact is more than important than you lot might call up on a motorcar of this kind. Honda does, after all, claim the CR-V to be a 'drivers car' and reckons to have benchmarked it against the best family hatchbacks (rather than other 4x4s) when it comes to treatment. There's the kind of independent suspension set-up you'd be more likely to run across on a mildly sporty car, plus this third generation model saw its centre of gravity dropped past fully 35mm. As a result, you can forget the cumbersome roly-poly road manners and ponderous ride quality still common to some SUVs in this class.

Overall

If y'all're in the market for a used meaty 4x4 that won't throw upward any headaches, which is simple to operate, yet is packed with features, this improved third generation Honda CR-V is as good a bet as we tin can think of. Any downsides? Non everyone gets on with the styling and there are softer riding rivals. That's nigh it. The revised diesel with the automatic box is the car to become for, especially and so if you can track down a reasonably priced example. Don't be afraid of big mileages. The diesel CR-V can easily shrug these off.

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Source: https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/honda/cr-v/cr-v-2010-2012/

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