Comparison - Honda CR-V 2015 - vs - Ford Explorer Limited 2016

A new grille, a new direct-injected engine, and a new transmission

This year, more than 300,000 individuals will sign a sales contract and drive home in a Honda CR-V. These won’t be fleet buyers wearing shirts that say Hertz or Avis, but retail consumers presumably wearing more stylish garb. Or maybe not: What they’re all looking for, after all, is a small, no-hassle SUV that does the job as reliably as a polo shirt.

The new CR-V delivers on that front as well as it ever has. A spacious cabin with a generous back seat and an ample cargo area with a low floor, as well as available four-wheel drive, draw buyers in, just as they do in mixed measure for competitors like the Ford Escape, the Toyota RAV4, and the Mazda CX-5. Style doesn’t rule this choice, but every little bit helps in this high-volume market segment. So Honda made an effort to inject more panache into the CR-V for 2015: New headlights, grille, bumpers, and wheels dress up the exterior. The inside becomes a happier place thanks to a few soft-touch pieces on the instrument panel, a rear air vent to keep back-seat passengers comfortable, and more sound insulation. The net effect of the exterior changes is a more expensive appearance

No one mistakes a CR-V for a redline-luring sports car, so extra power at lower rpm is indeed a good thing. We did enjoy the sound the older engine made as it roared toward redline, but we also wonder how many current owners actually rev all the way to the 7000-rpm power peak on purpose.

.

The 2015 Honda CR-V ranking is based on its score within the 2015 Affordable Compact SUVs category. Currently the Honda CR-V has a score of 8.5 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 56 pieces of research and data elements using various sources

The CR-V’s improved material quality and good sound-deadening technology make its cabin a quiet place to be. Its front seats are comfortable, and its back seats offer plenty of space for adults. Aside from the 2015 Toyota RAV4, the CR-V has the highest cargo capacity in the compact SUV class. Additionally, its long list of technology and safety features ups its appeal. The Mazda CX-5 and GMC Terrain offer only a few safety features.

The 2015 CR-V is part of the compact SUV’s fourth generation, which started in the 2011 model year. The 2015 model has a number of style, technology, and performance updates, including a revised suspension and a continuously variable transmission that replaces the five-speed automatic.

Pros
Excellent fuel economy
Ample standard features
Outstanding cargo space
Great reliability rating

Cons
Stronger engines not available

The 2015 Honda CR-V enriches its class-leading formula with a host of improvements, including much better fuel economy. If you're shopping for a top-shelf compact SUV, the CR-V remains one of your best bets

The 2015 CR-V switches to the Accord's direct-injected four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT). It also receives refreshed exterior styling and richer feature content, including a front console armrest, rear climate vents, a 7-inch touchscreen linked to the LaneWatch blind spot monitoring system (EX and above) and a high-end Touring trim level with additional safety technologies.

The 2015 Honda CR-V is kind of like a carton of Tropicana orange juice. Now, don't assume we're being disparaging here. Sure, there are enticing beverage alternatives -- maybe there's even an impartial, Edmunds.com-like o.j.-reviewing Web site out there that trumpets their virtues -- but a whole lot of people still go with this tried-and-true juice. The CR-V appeals because it's a product you can count on year after year.

Pros
Exceptional fuel economy
Abundant passenger and cargo room
Nifty self-folding rear seats
Appealing tech and safety features

Cons
No available engine upgrade
Touchscreen controls can be difficult to use for most models

The particular Honda CR-V model you see here isn’t entirely indicative of the styling changes that the Japanese brand has made to its mid-sized SUV, with this VTi-L petrol four-wheel drive variant being fitted with a Modulo sports body kit.

As standard, the VTi-L petrol 4WD comes in at $42,290 plus on-road costs, and is thoroughly well kitted for the cost: highlights include leather trim, a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors and reverse-view camera, HID headlights and LED cornering lights, and more

with Honda’s legendary focus on function over form, the CR-V remains a strong contender for people who most appreciate the practical applications of SUVs. As such, there are plenty of useful storage options through the cabin including decent front and rear door pockets, a large centre console area and rear-seat ventilation (which is absent from too many cars in this class, in this writer’s humble opinion).

Pros
Remains one of the cleverest mid-sized SUVs in terms of interior space and packaging
Lots of equipment
New interior finishes lift the cabin ambience
Media system much improved...

Cons
But not as good as the best in class
Drivetrain remains uninspiring and thirsty
Not as good to drive as some rivals (we'd like to assess one without the optional wheels)