Are we jumping the gun here? Perhaps. But we think we can all agree that speculation is more than half of the fun when it comes to looking forward to upcoming launches.
Today we have the all-new Honda CR-V. Officially teased just several days ago, the Japanese car manufacturer has already previewed a design overhaul for the compact SUV’s front and rear ends.
As far as official information goes, that’s about it. We’ve also got a look at the exterior as a whole courtesy of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China. You can check out those images here.
Now, on to the wishlist. Here are five things we hope to see in the sixth-generation Honda CR-V when it hits local showrooms.
1) A more streamlined design
Okay, technically we’ve already gotten our wish granted here. We’ve seen the leaks, and have to say we’re digging what Honda’s done to the CR-V.
We aren’t hating on the current-generation one by any means. What we have here is a handsome, rugged compact SUV—but from some angles, you do get the sense there’s a bit much going on.
The next-gen version flaunts cleaner surfaces, a more subdued—albeit still intimidating—front end, and retains the rear’s attractive L-shaped taillights. You can check out full exterior shots of the all-new Honda CR-V here. Alternatively, here’s our own take on the upcoming vehicle.
2) A hybrid option
The current-generation Honda CR-V hybrid available in the US can supposedly do up to 17km/L. In the city.
That’s an impressive figure. It’s not nearly as impressive, though, as the whopping 25km/L Honda claims the hybrid SUV can do in Japan.
Obviously, there’s no word yet regarding a hybrid variant for the next-generation CR-V. You can bet your bottom dollar on it being in the works, though, and we certainly hope it will somehow find its way to the local market.
3) A turbocharged diesel engine
One of the most enticing things about Honda Cars Philippines’ current CR-V lineup is the option of a 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine capable of 118hp and up to 300Nm of torque. Yes, this is also the only variant available with all-wheel drive, but the real kickers here are the extra torque and better efficiency. This brings us to…
STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
DOF proposal includes P1 hike for petroleum excise tax, imposition of carbon tax
Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, full electric: How will the EV revolution play out in PH?
4) More power
Seven seats? Hell yes, count us in. We definitely hope the third row makes a return in the next-generation CR-V. That said, we’re crossing our fingers that the brand brings in units with a bit more substance under the hood this time around. As we said, the diesel does 118hp and 300Nm, while the gasoline versions put up 152hp and 189Nm. Those figures are fine for most cases, but on a full load? You’re going to need every ounce of oomph you can get.
5) Good ground clearance
Currently, the Honda CR-V rides on a respectable 208mm of ground clearance—a considerable amount more than its rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, and just 12mm less than the Subaru Forester’s. That’s a good figure, and one we hope Honda can maintain in the next-generation CR-V. By the looks of initial images, though, we might get our wish.
