The best-selling SUV of the United States comes back with more power and a new design. The Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co. unveiled the 2017 model of its CR-V compact SUV, America’s most popular vehicle of its category for three years in a row.
The announcement follows a hot and heavy battle for the SUV market not only at the entry level but in the luxury tier as well. Honda is among the top performing automakers currently in the game, registering increasing year-over-year numbers in sales across most of its vehicle lineup.
Sales projections for the upcoming 2017 CR-V have also prompted Honda to announce its manufacturing expansion in North America. The next generation of the iconic sports utility vehicle will be produced at plants in East Liberty, Ohio, Alliston, Ontario, and a new factory in Greensburg, Indiana for the first time.
Honda 2017 CR-V: Specs and Features
The 2017 model of the popular CR-V is the latest iteration of America’s favorite SUV. The vehicle did not see an overhaul since 2015, and the upcoming redesign marks the start of the fifth generation of cars under the brand’s name.
Honda’s revamped CR-V starts with the car’s exterior looks. The 2017 model will sport a more “aggressive” look, reportedly to prompt a surge in sales among male drivers. The automaker stylized the SUV with sharper lines and wing-shaped LED lights in the front and the back.
The CR-V also introduces a new feature for Honda vehicles: the Active Shutter Grille. The front grille of the SUV lowers or rises to let air pass and cool the engine if needed. The car also sports chrome trimmings, windshield wipers with rain-detection capacity, and a dual exhaust system.
Under the hood, Honda’s best-selling SUV will pack a turbocharged engine for the first time in the 2017 model. EX versions of the vehicle will be available with a 1.5-liter, direct-injected 4-cylinder engine, while LX models will get a larger 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine with no turbo. Both trims will provide the new CR-V with 190 horsepower or more.
The upcoming Honda car will also be more spacious, sophisticated, and practical for passengers riding in it. Seats in the back come with USB ports included for charging, while the front console includes a new Display Audio infotainment system. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it brings back a turning knob to control media volume.
The 2017 CR-V also comes with Honda’s latest driver-assistive technology in the form of Honda Sensing Suite. The suite of semi-autonomous safety features includes nearly ten different functions to make the driving experience seamless and secure.
Honda 2017 CR-V: Price and Release Date
Honda’s 2017 CR-V will be available in showrooms nationwide just in time for the holiday season. It will hit certified retailers in early December, although the automaker has not given details on pricing just yet.
Current-generation CR-Vs start at nearly $24,000 and go all the way up to $33,000 for higher-end models with more exclusive features. A Honda representative told Bloomberg not to expect drastic changes in the price of the 2017 CR-Vs.
Source: Honda