2017 Honda CR-V unveiled in the US

The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular vehicle in the company's portfolio and the Japanese manufacturer has just revealed the fifth generation of the CR-V in the USA.

The 2017 CR-V is based on a new platform that is derived from the new Civic. Honda's man maximum-machine minimum principle continues in its latest vehicle and the new CR-V is more spacious than its predecessor. Also, Honda has kitted the car with a host of technological and safety features to keep it abreast of the competition.

The CR-V is now 30.48 mm longer than the previous CR-V. Its also 35.56mm taller and wider, while the wheelbase has increased by 40.64mm. It looks like an evolution of the CR-V and it seems like Honda opted for familiar looking, family like design cues so that people could recognise it as a new Honda CR-V.

The bonnet is longer and the wheel arches are slightly flared. The thick chrome grille slat is typically Honda and the headlamps are larger than before. LED DRLs are standard and customers can also opt for LED headlamps.

The side profile appears beefy and at first glance it may appear a bit like BR-V. The rear end too reminds one of Honda's new design language with the large, wrap around tail lamps and the thick chrome strip that runs across the breadth of the tailgate.

One of the big additions to the 2017 Honda CR-V is the new 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol motor that's borrowed from the new Civic. It's the first time that a turbocharged motor is offered with the CR-V. The motor is expected to produce about 190PS and 242Nm which is a little more than what the naturally aspirated 2.4-litre, petrol motor produces (184PS and 244Nm). This motor will be available along with the 1.5-litre turbo petrol.

The interiors are quite feature loaded too with a large 7-inch touchscreen infotainment that appears like a little plasma television. It gets a new Garmin sourced navigation system and features Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The TFT instrument cluster features a digital speedo and tacho as well as other driver information.

The dashboard is wrapped in leather and there are wood inserts that run across its length. A strip non-veneered also runs across the door pads and the overall design looks contemporary. The new CR-V also gets dual-zone climate control, push button start-stop, an electric parking break and a hands-free powered tailgate.

On the safety front, besides ABS and multiple airbags, the new CR-V gets Honda's Sensing safety system which essentially is what its radar based safety systems are called. These include Collision Mitigation Braking (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and a lot more.

The Honda CR-V will soon go on sale internationally. While Honda still sells the current generation CR-V in India, the company may get the 2017 CR-V to India. Watch this space for more details.

Also see: 2018 Honda CR-V diesel | First Drive Review