Owner Review: Comfortable ride yet with only 153 hp, power is lacking - My 2016 Honda CR-V

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Basic information

Honda CR-V 2.0 4WD 2016 

Reasons why I bought this car

1.) My family and I are always in love with SUV models. This Honda CR-V model offered a slight taller in heights which what my family are expecting at first and at the same time, it’s not too tall which is convenient for the family members to step in and out from the vehicle. As my family are always concern over unprecedented circumstances such as water level raising (floods) or bumpy roads conditions which might cause damages to the underneath carriage of our vehicle. To avoid that, we decided to go for an SUV model. 

2.) The family are also prioritizing more towards comfort base. My family and I love travelling, so we wanted something that can provide us with a comfy ride especially during a long journey. Hence, the CR-V offers a very spacious compound and lots of leg rooms for both driver and passengers side. 

3.) We also look into the cabin space design, generally, my family would purchase a lot from groceries or shopping stuff each time. Hence, we needed to ensure that there is adequate space to store more stuff if we ever buy more. Judging the CRV cabin dimension is wide and well enough to store more objects, it gets the job done nicely.

4.) A 2.0 i-Vtec, 16 valve SOHC, a Naturally Aspirated engine with variable valve timing. The family and I aren’t any technical professions, we wanted to purchase a model with aren’t that complex to examine but something more towards direct and tranquil motor type. Considering if to decide on the intricate engines, it surely is going to result in a higher maintenance cost for my family. 

Car selection process

• I had a budget of RM150k
• Models that I have considered include: Toyota Camry, Mazda CX-5 and Honda HRV 

1.) The Honda CRV does offer a very reasonable and affordable price, considering in its segment. It’s still within our budget

2.) Throughout years of driving, my family and I had experienced over brands such as Proton, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Perodua but we had never driven a Honda model before. Therefore, this round, my family decided to take another huge step in considering an all-new driving experience by selecting Honda 

3.) We are also aware that Toyota does serve the best resale value. But we do not want that to distract us from the fact that Honda does provide a good resale value too in the market. Hence, my family is also confidence in the Honda value. 

4.) Honda CRV, an SUV model in the D segment. It’s has a classier look and an executive design. We are truly happy and in love with the exterior concept as it looks prestige to us from the outer part. It looks worth the money. 

User experience

• I have already done 57800 km.

Overall, I enjoyed the ride. It is really a comfy ride with great handling and contains a very well soft suspension setup. No harshness on it. Whether as a driver or passenger, I am pleased to be in the CRV. 

The Honda CR-V is also quite economical in terms of fuel consumption. Brilliant Eco mode. 

Acceptable engine noise but somehow the engine rev sounds struggling little when accelerating is hard. For the interior, 6 speakers given - great sounds system, even the car begin to speed up but the NVH are very well and you are still able to follow with your favourite music during high-speed cruising. 

A very reliable naturally aspirated engine. It is still able to perform well on the road til today. Easy to maintain too. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

1.) Is a very cosy ride, I am really in love with its NVH design. Even when I try to accelerate up to 110 - 120km/h, it just doesn’t give you that much of noise from the outside. 

2.) It’s been a 4 years plus vehicle, the car still able to cope with a superb silence sound in the internal. No vibration at all, I guess the in-line 4 cylinders plays an advantage to that. 

3.) Top feature to highlight - Is very spacious, love the cabin space offered. Allowing my family to store more groceries and stuff when we are out. And plenty of leg rooms given, not just on the driver's side but passengers' side as well (front and back)

4.) Great LED front lighting design. In my personal opinion, the Honda CRV does top that over the Mazda CX5 and Nissan X-Trail, it is way luminous, especially shining your way at night. I guess this also support to those drivers who have visionary concerns in driving at night. When you come across to those without street lights, you do not need to worry about turning on to the high beam. 

5.) Great braking system. No denying, I am always confident with the Honda safety feature offered, whether on rainy days or in a heavy traffic....the brakes definitely supports everything on my emergency. 

Cons

1.) One main part that I will never be please is it’s power train. Unfortunately, the CRV does not have the adequate torque to perform overtaking on the straights. The power felt quite sluggish, is a little dishearten to me if I would like to get to a place quicker. 

2.) Despite its hefty size in weight dimension and with its lack of power train, sometimes it’s just doesn’t have that SUV feel. Is definitely more suited for a sedate speed, whereas, for certain drivers, this may be fine and acceptable. Nonetheless, if there are drivers who are really into more power preference and expectation, then the performance does not get a pass in this. 

(After all, is a family design model which is not meant to run at high speed but is more towards a gentle and comfy ride. For an SUV model, I would recommend going for AWD instead of 4WD)

3.) Interior quality was a little disappointment as well. If we look into the audio touch display screen, it’s kinda outmoded as nothing much was offered. Contemplating this as an executive model, but the display looks so much the same as the Honda City / HRV can offer too. And for its meter dashboard layout, no fuels consumption (on how much more to the next refill info) nor vehicle suspension / tyres information reading are display. Only a simple analogue meter reading instrument is shown, which I personally felt is quite dull and bland on it. 

4.) Quality of the interior components are a little fragile. There’s are some parts got broken by itself. Considering it’s segment and the price range charged, my family isn’t expecting this type of quality.

5.) Its 2.0 i-Vtec Naturally Aspirated engine, 16 valve SOHC and as per claimed, horsepower of 153 hp at 6500 rpm as well torque of 190 Nm at 4300 rpm. Unfortunately, there's always an issue with its fuels injection power kicks in. The power feel does not deliver promptly but it rather takes times to build up its momentum and comes in a sedate style. Hence, I am always encountering this frustration in the power acceleration, when comes to straights. To reach 0-100km/h, it does take about 12 secs, which it does feel a little power lag too. No sports feel too, I wish they could add a sport mode or paddle-shift to response more and quicker on the throttle on the 2.0 model.

Ratings

Total Score: 4
Performance: 3
Quality & Features: 3
Space: 5
Ride Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Price & Cost: 2

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