I've mentioned this before: I don't get to drive cars that don't need fixing very often.
Driving the new Honda CR-V was an interesting experience for me. Our family cars are a Buick Rendezvous and a Toyota Corolla so the CR-V was something in between. Smaller than my Rendezvous, with the height advantage over the Corolla.
Hm...cross-purposes, eh? Honda is up for this challenge: “It's not a question of how much you can do with a CR-V, but how much you can do at the same time.” They've loaded this compact SUV with many features so I put them to the test and here are the ones I liked:
Rearview camera
This feature is—get this—standard on all trims. Of course, I don't use it to drive in reverse but it's really helpful when backing up into a parking spot!
Bluetooth with text message reader
Most new cars have a bluetooth option available. The CR-V also has a text messaging feature (only compatible with some phones—worked on my Blackberry) that reads incoming texts over the audio system and has preset replies that you can respond with.
Fuel economy backlight
The instrument panel has an indicator that changes from white to green when you're in the optimal fuel economy range. I only noticed this feature when I was reading the owner's manual (yes, I read them!). It's a simple indication of fuel economy, rather than traditionally watching gauges move.
Cargo space
The CR-V is roomier than its previous generations. I had no trouble lugging things around—thanks to its 60/40 rear seat split.
Child car seat installation
The rear seats are firm so they provide a good support for the child car seat. The headrest can be removed, so you should be able to install a variety of forward-facing child car seats. When you install rear-facing car seats, keep in mind that the CR-V's seat is somewhat angled. You may need to use pool noodles to get the correct angle for your car seat.
Even if you're zipping around town, chances are you use your car quite a bit. Anytime a car can get some ergonomic features in, that's a bonus for me. My husband (a Clinical Consultant, with a background in Ergonomics) gave me his two cents:
Multiple seat adjustments and steering wheel tilt
All trim levels have heated seats
Base models seats have a 6-way adjustment. EX-L & Touring models have a 10-way adjustment & power lumbar support. These adjustments make the seats comfortable no matter who drives—short little me or my taller husband. The lumbar support provides comfort for my back especially during longer drives.
I really appreciated the arm rests on the driver and front passenger seats. They provide shoulder support and I had less fatigue.
Dash controls
The climate and radio controls are within arm's reach. Another convenience are the steering wheel controls for radio, bluetooth and cruise.
Overall, this compact SUV was a good in-between for our family and I'm impressed that it comes with many features even at with the base model. I can see why our clients like their CR-Vs. Starting price for the 2013 CR-V is $25,990.
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