Honda CR-V 2.4 Test Drive Review
The Honda CR-V 2.4 is a much-awaited introduction from Honda Malaysia, for it plugs one of the most glaring shortcomings of the popular crossover SUV – inadequate power. The previous-generation, in particular, felt badly underpowered on the move, a problem partially mitigated with this incarnation’s 2.0-litre model which retains the same engine but with shorter gear ratios to improve standing start acceleration and mid-range responsiveness.
Transmission trickery only gets you so far, however, and when the going gets tough, one needs serious muscle to get going, and the only answer to that is increased engine outputs. Honda clearly believes that the majority of CR-V buyers will continue to find the base 2.0-litre model an entirely adequate preposition, but with the 2.4-litre model, it seeks to cast a wider net at the segment’s upper reaches for buyers seeking a more aspirational product.
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Pricing and Specifications
Honda had initially announced an eye-watering estimated price of RM190,000 for the CR-V 2.4, but the confirmed figure thankfully turned out to be more pleasant reading. It’s still not cheap, however, and at RM169,800 with insurance, it remains a substantial RM20k premium over the 2.0-litre model. The segment’s only costlier pick is the Japan-imported Mazda CX-5 2.5 4WD that was introduced recently at RM175k.
There are no overt badges on the vehicle’s outside to identify it as the 2.4, but observers can take note of the larger 18-inch alloys (up from 17″ in the 2.0), chrome door handles with keyless entry buttons for the front two, and the HID headlamps. Inside the cabin, the extra monies paid is translated to leather seats with electric adjustment for the driver, engine start/stop button, curtain airbags, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 6.1″ touchscreen with integrated GPS.
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These additional amenities suitably complement a cabin which we already noted as being the segment’s gold standard for practicality and usability when reviewing the 2.0-litre version. It’s not much to look at and selection of materials are certainly not plush, but in day-to-day usage, we reckon most owners will greatly appreciate the abundance of small item storage to swallow their phones and keys. The brilliant one-touch folding rear seats will certainly delight users who regularly ferry bulky items.
In the engine room, the CR-V 2.4’s additional outputs are generated by the familiar K24 DOHC i-VTEC engine that was previously used in the Accord. The 2,354cc engine supplies the CR-V with class-leading power of 187hp, although its torque output of 222Nm is overshadowed by both the CX-5 2.5 and the turbocharged Ford Kuga 1.6 EcoBoost. These outputs are generated relatively high up the rev range, however, with max power coming in only at 7,000rpm, unusual for an SUV. Like the CR-V 2.0, the 2.4 also uses a 5-speed automatic transmission, but with higher gearing for better cruising refinement and fuel economy.
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| One-touch folding seats are just.. genius. |
Driving Experience
The CR-V 2.4’s additional outputs manifest themselves most clearly on the highways, where it distinguishes itself as an accomplished and relaxed cruiser on part throttle applications. Put the transmission to ‘Sport’ mode and a different, more responsive, character surfaces, with the transmission holding onto lower gears longer and keeping the engine boiling above 4,000rpm, near the peak of its torque curve.
Despite its considerable age and being one ratio short of the latest segment norms, Honda’s excellent 5-speed auto has never given us much reason to lament its existence. In the CR-V 2.4, it is faultless as far as shift quality is concerned, but there were occasions where spacing of its ratios, which are longer than the 2.0’s, proved problematic and not exactly suited to the K24 engine’s high-revving nature.
With the outputs of a narrow power band harnessed by a transmission primed for cruising and economy, extracting rapid progress from the CR-V 2.4 turned out to be harder work than one would anticipate, and this is particularly pertinent going uphill. Even with the benefit of paddle shifters, getting stranded at the trough of the engine’s torque curve is an uncomfortably common occurrence, and the result is pedestrian acceleration even with your foot welded to the floor.
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| Paddle shifters allow manual overriding of gear changes. |
Full enjoyment of the 2.4’s performance advantage requires constant boiling of the engine at above 4,000rpm, where it is most responsive, but below that, there is little that separates it from the 2.0 from a performance standpoint. As effortless as a diesel it most certainly isn’t.
Overall dynamics of the CR-V are merely good rather than outright great. As before, one continues to enjoy the almost car-like levels of comfort and refinement as CR-Vs of years past, but in the presence of highly accomplished rivals like the Ford Kuga and Mazda CX-5, the driving experience USP that was once Honda’s forte has been irrevocably ceded. The real fly in the ointment comes from a slightly jiggly ride over pockmarked surfaces, but we suspect that can be easily fixed by going one size down on the rims from 18″ to 17″ might to restore some composure, and save some money on tyre replacement costs in the long run.
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| 18-inch alloys one size up from the 2.0’s 17s. |
Verdict
Despite the continued popularity of the regular 2.0-litre model, the CR-V 2.4 is a useful and timely addition the range. As a solution to the former’s performance deficits, the latter is merely adequate rather than properly convincing. The K24 engine’s peaky power delivery and the 5-speed auto’s long gearing is not exactly a match made in heaven; they work together well enough in regular driving, but ultimately struggle to conjure the kind of spirited progress which we anticipated for the model, even if a peak output rpm of 7,000 did clue us in.
What the CR-V 2.4 ultimately does is that it gives buyers the option of a better-equipped model and still offer the impressive class-leading packaging that Honda is famed for. Owners of the previous generation CR-V have the option of a more substantial upgrade and the sales team will most certainly benefit from this added ammo to fend off advances from rising brands seeking to steal customers with aggressively specced vehicles. The CR-V 2.4 is by no means class-leading with its equipment, but with items such as keyless entry, HIDs, and curtain airbags in place, it is not far from the segment forefront. Being cheaper than expected certainly helped.
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