What It Is: The mid-cycle refresh of Honda’s popular CR-V crossover, which involves no sheetmetal changes but does swap in classier new front and rear fascias. Up front, a new two-slat grille with a mesh insert is underscored by chrome, replacing the broad, three-bar grille of the current model. Somewhat squintier-looking HID headlamps (likely a higher-trim option) are found in the place of the large halogens that light the way for all 2014 CR-Vs. A more sculpted front bumper features new horizontal fog lamps with chrome trim in place of the round bulbs on the current CR-V.
In back, the tailgate features a new, three-dimensional garnish beneath the rear window that brackets the Honda badge and spreads out to what appear to be mildly redesigned taillamps. The rear bumper is reshaped, and features considerably more body color compared to the current model, which is heavy on the dark-gray protective cladding. The futuristic wheels are also new and appear to be slightly larger than the current 16- and 17-inch offerings.
Our shooter noted that the vehicle also had covers over the dashboard, indicating that the CR-V is also getting some interior updates—likely Honda’s new app-based HondaLink infotainment and navigation systems as seen in the 2014 Civic and 2015 Fit, as well as possibly Apple’s new CarPlay iOS integration system.
Top: 2015 Honda CR-V (spy photo). Bottom: 2014 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD.
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Why It Matters: Honda needs to keep the CR-V fresh in the face of strong competition from Toyota’s RAV4, the Nissan Rogue, and our favorite in the segment, the Mazda CX-5. The additional brightwork and reduced cladding on the bumpers will go some ways toward taking the CR-V’s appearance upscale, and would give the tiny new HR-V subcompact crossover, due this winter, some breathing room.
Less than two years ago, the CR-V scored a solid second place out of six (behind the CX-5) in a cute-ute comparison test, but it must evolve if it plans to maintain its place near the top of the segment.
Platform: The CR-V’s platform will remain as is until its full redesign in 2017 or 2018.
Powertrain: We have always been happy with the smoothness and potency of the CR-V’s revvy, 185-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, but Honda will almost certainly update this offering with the direct-injected 2.4-liter four, which makes 189 horsepower in the U.S.-market Accord sedan. Honda will likely take the mid-cycle update as an opportunity to replace the current dated five-speed automatic with a CVT, also from the 2.4-liter-equipped U.S.-market Accord sedan. A CR-V hybrid is possible in the future, according to a Honda source, but we would be surprised to see that appear before the model’s next full re-do.
Estimated Arrival and Price: The 2015 CR-V should appear this fall at a price that shouldn’t jump significantly from the 2014 model, which starts at just about $21K and rises to $31,450 for a loaded model.
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