Review: Honda’s 2017 CR-V, now powered by turbo

Honda has pumped up the CR-V, its best-selling sport utility vehicle, by turbocharging the engine and adding high-tech electronics to the low-cost crossover.

The result is an appealing, affordable vehicle that will earn its place in a lot of American driveways.

The CR-V helped create the mainstream SUV market. Introduced in 1997, when SUV sales were far outpaced by sedans, the boxy car was an immediate success.

Since then, the four-door people mover has become the country’s bestselling small SUV, and has been a source of continued sales strength for Honda as car owners gravitate more toward SUVs over sedans.

Last year, the CR-V outsold the Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, Chevy Equinox, Subaru Forester, and Jeep’s Cherokee, Wrangler, Renegade and Patriot.

The 2017 CR-V features the spare, sensible interior common to all Hondas. (Honda)

(Honda /)

What’s new for 2017

• Honda Sensing, which includes adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking and lane departure warning (on all but base trim level)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Remote, keyless start function
• “Walk Away” auto door lock
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Height-adjustable tailgate (on Touring and EX-L trims)
• Hands-free tailgate (on Touring trim)

Improvement inside and out

Veteran CR-V owners or drivers will most notice improvements to the engine. While still mated to Honda’s CVT transmission, the newly turbocharged four-cylinder power plant packs more performance than the vehicle’s previous engines — a reported 190 horsepower and 179 pound feet of torque, compared with 185 horsepower and 181 pound feet of torque on the 2016 model, and way up from the 146 horsepower and 133 pound feet of torque on the first CR-Vs.

Those who don’t love the CVT transmission, which maximizes fuel economy but to me creates a disconnect in the driving experience, won't love this one any better.

But they’ll like improvements to the front seats — which are more adjustable now, and offer heating and ventilating options — and the increased cabin space, rear seat leg room and cargo area.

With the seats up, the cargo volume is 39 cubic feet. With the seats down, it’s 78 cubic feet. That’s up from 37 cubic feet and 70 cubic feet, respectively, on last year’s model. Ground clearance is up by about 1.5 inches on both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models.

Honda also says the car handles better, which should make some light off-roading possible. Car camping, anyone?

If it looks bigger, that’s because it is. Like most small and compact SUVs — compare a new RAV4 with the original — this fifth-generation CR-V is bulkier than the one that Honda first introduced in 1999.

The 2017 Honda CR-V packs a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under the hood. (Honda)

(Honda /)

Price points

Honda has managed, impressively, to improve this 2017 lineup while holding the line on costs. Even the most expensive CR-V, with all the bells and whistles, is still close to the average transaction price for all vehicles sold in the United States. The others are all well below it.

A base model LX trim level of the CR-V, powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, starts as low as $24,945.

The top-end Touring level, powered by the new turbocharged engine, and loaded with interior, exterior and safety features, starts at $34,595.