2022 Honda CR-V Touring Review

Intro

Since its debut in North America in 1997, the Honda CR-V has established itself as one of the most well-rounded compact SUVs in the market. It is fuel efficient, easy to drive, and offers class-leading cargo capacity. The current 5th generation CR-V was first introduced in 2017. It received a minor facelift in late 2019. Given the fact that a new generation of CR-V will be introduced next year, the 2022 CR-V remains largely unchanged. Still, does it still have what it takes to compete in this crowded segment? 

Thanks to Honda Canada, I was loaned the 2022 Honda CR-V Touring for a week to find out, and below is my unbiased review.

Exterior

The 2022 CR-V retains the boxy design that allows for exceptional interior room. The design gives the CR-V a muscular vibe that is further accentuated by bold curves and sharp edges. 

The slender LED headlamps and chrome accents keep the front facia looking fresh. From the side, the CR-V features a big greenhouse that is tinted behind the B-pillar. This helps to reduce the visual weight of the otherwise boxy design. 

A set of unique wraparound tail lights are connected by a long, linear chrome bar. The liftgate is wide and extends low to meet with the lower bumper. It provides a huge opening to the trunk and reduces the liftover height. 

The fifth generation styling of the CR-V is one of my favorites. While it doesn’t exactly stand out from the crow, the CR-V is still a very handsome vehicle in its own right. 

Interior

The interior of the CR-V is spacious and practical. A blend of faux-wood accents, chrome highlights and brushed satin trims give the interior a slightly more upscale feel.

By moving the shifter to the upper center console, the front cabin feels extra roomy. Honda engineers made use of the extra space by providing a wireless charging pad as well as a big center console storage bin. 

The standard heated front seats are nicely contoured to provide excellent lumbar support. The beefy bolsters are not something you would normally expect in a compact SUV, but they hold you in place when traveling on bumpy terrains. 

The rear cabin is one of the most spacious in class Both the legroom and headroom are excellent. The lack of a central floor bump also makes sitting in the middle seat much more tolerable. With a large panoramic sunroof, the rear cabin of the CR-V is quite a comfortable place to be in. 

Infotainment

The infotainment system of the CR-V is built around the 7” touchscreen. This is where the CR-V is starting to show its age. While the user interface is quite intuitive, there is a noticeable input lag. The graphics are also starting to look dated. Thankfully, the CR-V retains the volume twist knob, and both Apple Carplay and Android Auto are standard.

The digital instrument cluster is huge and uses large fonts for easy viewing. It is controlled via the iPod style buttons in the steering wheel. 

Safety and Driver Assistance

By offering a comprehensive set of standard advanced safety features, Honda keeps the CR-V competitive. They include:

• Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system
• LED daytime running lights
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system
• Brake Assist
• Auto high beam
• Lane Departure Warning
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Hill Start Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Adaptive Cruise Control3 (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow
• Lane Keeping Assist System

Some of these features would cost you much more in a European car. 

Optional features include Blind Spot Information (BSI) system and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor. 

It earns the top 5 star safety rating from NHTSA and Top Safety Pick from IIHS.

Driving

All trims of the 2022 CR-V are powered by the same 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 190hp of horsepower and 179 lb.ft. of torque. While some rivals offer more horsepower, most drivers should find this peppy engine adequate. The CVT that is coupled to this engine is one of the best I have driven. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is normally associated with low starting torque at low engine speed. That is not the case with the CR-V. The acceleration feels smooth and predictable. However, due to the nature of the CVT, the towing capacity of the CR-V is only 1500 lb, one of the lowest in its class.

While the CR-V doesn’t provide the most thrilling driving experience, it handles road bumps admirably. The steering lacks feedback, but provides an easy driving experience. The upside of using a small turbocharged engine that couples to a CVT is that the CR-V has exceptional fuel efficiency. Our AWD tester is rated for 8.7 L/100km city, 7.4 L/100km highway and 8.1 L/100km combined. Our 100% city test drive obtains a 9.5L/100km fuel economy figure. 

Cargo Space & Storage

Practicality is CR-V's strong suite. There is 1065L of cargo space behind the 2nd row seats. With the 40/60 rear seats folded, the available space is doubled to 2146L, one of the best in its class. The large lift gate and low liftover height also makes loading and unloading extremely easy. The cargo floor is adjustable. Putting it in the lower position provides additional trunk space, but raising the cargo floor to the level of the folded rear seats would help when sliding in larger objects. Under the cargo floor is a proper spare tire and all the tools needed for an emergency tire change.

In cabin storage is also excellent. The flexible center console storage bin is massive. The glove compartment and the side door pockets are all above average in size. Rear passengers enjoy two more cup holders in the folding armrest. They also have access to dedicated charging ports. 

Verdict

5 years after its debut, the current generation of the CR-V is still very easy to recommend. The CR-V remains a good looking vehicle that is comfortable inside. It is easy to drive and offers great practicality. Honestly, I would be satisfied if Honda only upgrades the infotainment system for the next generation. On the other hand, this is a segment that is filled with very good competition, so I am looking forward to seeing the next revolution of the model. 

Test Vehicle

2022 Honda CR-V Touring

MSRP

$31,470 Base, $43,570 as tested. 

Color

Radiant Red Metallic