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If a Camry comes to mind when one asks what car does an uncle drive, I’d have to say it’s the CR-V for me when someone asks about the auntie. That’s a really gross generalization as I’ve known male friends who drives CR-Vs and they were pretty happy with it. But, it’s the aunties who doesn’t mind the lack of power the 2.0litre offers, favoring the reliability, tall seating position and most importantly, the space to dump sweaty, noisy primary kids in the back seat along with the day’s grocery shopping from the wet market. Over the years, the CR-V has truly become more of what its name mean: a Comfortable Runabout Vehicle.
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On the outside, nothing much distinguishes it from the usual 2.0litre except for chrome type door handles, the automatic HID projection headlamps (2.0litre has plain halogen) and 225/60 tires wrapped around 18″ rims (the 2.0 has 225 / 65 R17) which is just what you need at the school compound where there’s no place to park other than on the kerb itself.
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But what if you’re one who still wants a sportier Honda in the guise of the CR-V? Fret no longer as Honda has released the 2.4litre variant. Powered by Honda’s 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine, the All-New CR-V 2.4L generates up to 190 horsepower at 7,000 rpm with a torque rating of 222Nm at 4,400 rpm. Perfect for the hot mama!
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Inside, the layout is pretty much the same as the 2.0litre except for a few differences.
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What’s immediately obvious is you’ll get plush leather seats instead of fabric which is always a welcome since kids with muddy shoes and spilled baby milk bottles are common in a CR-V and this makes wiping the dirt away so much easier.
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In addition, drivers now enjoy the luxury of finding the best driving position through the use of an 8-way powered driver seat. Sadly, still no memory seat function.
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For added safety and convenience, the 2.4litre CR-V is one of those few Honda models sold here with keyless entry and engine push start.While we’re at the topic of safety, parents will be glad to note that the number of airbags has increased from 4 in the 2.0litre to 6 with the addition of the curtain airbags.
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Paddle shifters! Great for the auntie to do some manual overriding …. though I wonder how many women actually do manual override.
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For entertainment (and not getting lost), the 2.4litre CR-V features a 6.1” Touch-Screen Audio and Navigation system with Turn-by-Turn NAVI system. Bluetooth Audio with Hands-Free Telephone System (HFT) eliminates those moments of trying to unwind a tangled earphone.
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Everything else is pretty much the same as the 2.0litre where you can expect to find a low cargo floor, 60/40 One Motion-fold Rear Seats, Reverse Camera and the most important of all, the Rear Air Conditioner Vent! Other safety aspects includes Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) System, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Traction Control System (TCS), Side Slip Control, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Hill-start assist and Motion Adaptive Electronic Power Steering (MA-EPS).
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All this for the price of RM169,800.00 (On-the Road with insurance) and you can have it in 5 different colors: Twilight Blue Metallic, Taffeta White, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl as well as a new colour, Modern Steel Metallic. The 2.4litre CR-V comes with a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage and a new service interval of 10,000 km. In addition, the All-New CR-V 2.4L owners are entitled to 6 times free labour services alternating with paid services. How and when do you alternate was not explained and it’s best that you check with your respective Honda dealer. Some complains about the relative high cost of the vehicle (which vehicle isn’t in Malaysia) but the way I see it, the monthly installment difference is between RM250 to RM350 (assuming interest rate is 2.5%, 10& downpayment and 7 vs 5 years loan). For that amount of money, I get added safety features and more convenience for a convenient utility vehicle. Those friends of mine who drives CR-Vs usually keep their car for years as the space is good enough for their family to grow in so in the long run, the added cost pays, IMHO.
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There are also certain quarters who would argue that the Mazda CX-5, Ford Kuga and even the Kia Sorento (albeit it’s a 7 seater but having the same engine capacity) provide good alternative options but there will always be CR-V lovers. Yours truly being one of them.
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2 Comments
Its such a shame that the new CRV doesn’t come with reverse sensors..one look at the brochure one would not notice the absence of a reverse sensor until the actual test drive..we’ve been so dependent on them. Kenso, if u have test driven the new crv, did u find it difficult to solely depend on the reverse cam when reversing?
Not tested it but I’ve never been one to rely on reverse cameras. As long as it has beep-beep-beep, it’s good enough for me. Some ladies might disagree though but then think about previous generation CRVs. Soccer mums who drive those didn’t really complain much, do they?
We’re all spoilt by the Koreans. LOL