Launch of Honda CR-V 2017: Disillusionment with 7-seat cars

On October 13, Honda officially unveiled the 5th generation CR-V with a more practical design, new 1.5L turbo engine, more luxurious interior but still keeping the 5-seat design.

CR-V 2017 launched globally from the US.

During the time Honda "conceived" the 5th generation CR-V, a series of sources based on leaked parameters and test vehicle images said that the all-new Honda CR-V would have an additional 3rd row of seats - meaning that this crossover model would have an additional 7-seat option. This is the method that Hyundai applied to the Santa Fe and was quite successful.

However, those who were waiting for this were disappointed when the Japanese car company officially introduced the all-new version of the 5th generation of CR-V to the world from the US market.

The US was chosen as the first market because the Honda CR-V is very successful there. The CR-V is currently the second best-selling Honda vehicle with a total of nearly 4 million units sold in the past 2 decades, and is also the leader in the small SUV segment - which includes the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Chevrolet Equinox and Ford Escape.

In the new generation, Honda CR-V has a complete makeover on the exterior, upgrading the luxury level in the interior with the most important highlight being the increased wheelbase to increase the usable space. At the same time, the Japanese manufacturer added the option of a 1.5L turbo engine for those who love power.

Practicality is applied to the maximum by Honda on CR-V 2017. The Japanese car company chose a bold but safe enough approach so that users are not overwhelmed by this change. Although the overall is still the familiar CR-V, the lines are much "fatter" than before.

Specifically, the front of the car easily reminds people of the Honda Civic 2016. The radiator grille is redesigned, larger, with a pair of full LED headlights. For the first time, the Honda CR-V is equipped with a system that automatically opens and closes the radiator grille. Chrome is used to the maximum to plate the details on the front of the car, the car's glass border,...

Meanwhile, the taillights have not changed much. The most notable point at the rear of the car is the hands-free trunk opening technology like on luxury cars. When the user has to carry things, just have the key on you and kick the trunk area, the trunk will automatically open.

In the interior, the entire control system remains user-friendly but is supplemented with materials to increase the luxury of the Honda CR-V. The infotainment screen displays color, touch, 7-inch size and supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto.

Most importantly, Honda increased the CR-V's wheelbase to 2660mm, an increase of 40mm compared to the previous generation. This extension is placed towards the rear, thereby helping the Honda CR-V to have the widest legroom in the segment.

Some notable additional interior equipment include: dual-zone air conditioning, customizable interior lighting, EPB electronic brake, USB port for rear seats.

The standard version of the Honda CR-V is now also equipped with 6 airbags, electronic balance system, collision warning, acceleration support, lane warning, blind spot detection, automatic high/low beam adjustment, and rear traffic warning.

Two engine options, notably the 1.5L turbo version, DOHC technology, maximum capacity 190 at 5600 rpm, maximum torque 243Nm at 2000-5000 rpm. This version is equipped with push-button start.

The remaining option is the 2.4L i-VTEC, 184 horsepower at 6400 rpm, 244 Nm at 3900 rpm. Both engines come with a CVT transmission, helping the 2017 Honda CR-V save the most fuel in the segment.

The car will be announced and sold from the end of this year in the US. After that, the 5th generation Honda CR-V will appear in many other countries, including Vietnam.

According to Zing