Honda rounds the CR-V

MANILA, Philippines – Since debuting in 1996 Honda’s CR-V (or Comfortable Roundabout Vehicle) has been somewhat of a default choice for a then burgeoning SUV segment.

Like its sedan stablemate the Civic, the CR-V has proven to be reliable; an extremely trustworthy vehicle for the practical motorist who doesn’t want to scrimp on performance.

Honda has taken pains to shore up its local brand equity by being extremely protective of its portfolio of vehicles (no Honda in the country can be made into a public utility vehicle), and it has paid handsome dividends. Honda can sort of thumb its nose at its more commercial rivals, and private owners never have to contend with seeing their ride (or a sibling) for hire. A little snob appeal in effect, obviously.

Today’s CR-V is a product of a brave, semi-new world that it, along with the Mitsubishi Pajero, helped usher in. Both no longer find themselves a rare breed in largely forlorn SUV segment, but among many contenders in a highly stratified category.

All that competition has proven to be a great source of inspiration for the CR-V, and the 2010 refreshed iteration is as much a product of its own evolution as it is a testament to the joys of free enterprise.

We recently took the 2.4-liter, four-wheel-drive variant out to Subic via the NLEX and SCTEX – a great chance to stretch her legs and push her engine. The i-VTEC, known for its spirited performance and frugal gas consumption, delivers 170 horses on tap, and proves a commensurate power plant for the CR-V’s size.

On the open road, the CR-V is a miserly machine (for its size) that can run for more than 10 kilometers on a liter of petrol. This efficiency diminishes expectedly when the vehicle is faced with the average urban gridlock – down to about six kilometers per liter based on its own digital fuel consumption meter. This feature is another manifestation of how Honda has taken its green corporate stand to heart.

Drivers can now be aware not just of average consumption, but real-time fuel economy. More lit bars on the screen indicate more bang for the fuel buck, and it’s certainly a Pavlovian reward for the cost-conscious (ergo, fuel conscious) consumer. And, oh, the CR-V adheres to the Euro 4 level emission standard, so you can lesson your carbon footprint tab.

Just as Honda asserts, the CR-V handles much like a car as opposed to the more jarring rides we have come to expect in some of the competition. The Honda folks also say that they’ve worked on the maneuverability and steering response by reducing caster trail settings. The 2010 CR-V is also much quieter inside, thanks to added seals and insulators.

Boasting class-leading interior space, the CR-V makes full use of it through its flexible utility settings. You can take most anything with you inside as the seats (and independently collapsing center armrest) can collapse should you need them to.

The CR-V’s external design has been somewhat a source of mixed reviews and opinions. Indeed, the front fascia is an engaging sight in itself -- with a muscular grill and headlamp assembly and Cheshire Cat-like grin under it.

Whatever you think about that, what is a welcome development for the model is that the spare tire has gone inside the CR-V – unburdening the rear door and giving the driver an unobstructed view from the rearview mirror.

We arrived some 150 kilometers later at the Lighthouse Marina Resort in the Subic Freeport Zone, none the worse for wear via the nimble, reliable performer in the truly comfortable roundabout vehicle.

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The CR-V’s four variants are the 2.0 manual 2WD at P1.275 million, 2.0 AT 2WD at P1.325 million, 2.4 AT 4WD at P1.525 million, and the 2.4 AT (brilliant white pearl color) at P1.545 million.