2015 Honda CR-V review: Staying at the top of the game

Even though the Honda CR-V lacks seductive lines and even nuances of excitement, it’s one of my favorite crossover SUVs. Sure, it lacks the agility of the CX-5, or cabin refinement of a Ford Escape; but the engine, chassis and suspension are dialed in to velvet-smooth satisfaction. Top that with everyday practicality, and it’s one of the highlights of Honda’s lineup.

Sales figures show that I’m not alone with that sentiment, and it has consistently been the top seller in the segment in spite of the stiffening competition. Escape sales have been creeping closer to the CR-V, even if it’s no immediate threat in taking the sales crown. Yet Honda has recently been aggressive with its mid-cycle refreshes, starting with the 2013 Honda Civic, and when the company invited me to drive the updated 2015 CR-V, it promised a “major minor refresh.” Getting behind the wheel, I didn’t feel a big change, but the biggest improvement was something that didn’t show in the half-day press drive.

The highlight of this reworked compact crossover is its 2.4-liter directed-injected four-cylinder, which at first glance isn’t newsworthy considering it makes the same 185 hp as last year’s model. The peak power comes lower though, at 6,400 rpm versus 7,000 rpm, and max torque increases by 18 ft-lb to 181. It’s paired with a “sporty” CVT, which only reveals its true colors when you floor the ute and hear that slurry drone as it hangs in the higher revs. That said, the engine is quieter, a bit more responsive, and the “shifts” are quicker than the old five-speed automatic.