The facelifted Honda CR-V is making its ASEAN debut at the Bangkok
International Motor Show (BIMS) this week. The SUV has been launched in
Thailand with a new look and a number of additional features while retaining
the same naturally-aspirated petrol and turbodiesel powertrain options.
As we’ve seen, the exterior changes are
fairly minor. The front bumper redesign features greater use of black plastic
and an undulating chrome “moustache”, while another chrome strip at the rear
replaces the previous skid plate. Honda has also switched the chrome grille bar
with a gloss black item and added sequential front indicators, smoked tail
lights, a dark chrome tailgate garnish and a new 18-inch alloy wheel design.
Inside, you’ll find a revised centre
console that now incorporates a Qi wireless smartphone charger for higher-end
variants, which also get the new driver’s seat memory function and a panoramic
sunroof that wasn’t previously offered in Thailand. The powered tailgate has
also been made standard fitment and now comes with a hands-free opening
function.
Engine options include a 2.4 litre
naturally-aspirated i-VTEC petrol four-cylinder on most models, producing 173
PS at 6,200 rpm and 224 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm and mated to a CVT. The
range-topping variant receives a 1.6 litre i-DTEC four-pot turbodiesel that
churns out 160 PS at 4,000 rpm and 350 Nm at 2,000 rpm, paired with a
nine-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters and a novel push-button gear
selector. The 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo petrol mill was never offered
in the Land of Smiles.
Petrol trim levels are split evenly
between five- and seven-seater variants, with the aforementioned higher-end
cars coming exclusively with all-wheel drive. The base 2.4 S and E models get
LED headlights and fog lights, 17-inch alloys, keyless entry with walk-away
automatic locking, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror,
power-adjustable front seats (eight-way for the driver, four-way for the
passenger), a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto connectivity and eight speakers.
The 2.4 ES and EL 4WD models and the DT-EL
4WD diesel gain automatic headlight levelling, five-a-side LED fog lights,
18-inch alloys and navigation (which can also inform the climate control of the
sun’s positioning), on top of the features listed earlier. The DT-EL is the
only model to come with Honda Connect, which allows users to access various
vehicular functions and information through a smartphone app.
Also only offered on the DT-EL is the
Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including autonomous emergency braking,
adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-keeping assist and auto high
beam. Six airbags, stability control and a LaneWatch blind spot camera are
standard fit. Prices start at 1,369,000 baht for the 2.4 S, rising
to 1,529,000 baht for the 2.4 ES 4WD. As for the seven-seater
models, the 2.4 E retails at 1,419,000 baht, the 2.4 EL 4WD at
1,579,000 baht and the DT-EL 4WD at 1,759,000 baht.
