The new 2013 Honda CR-V diesel review

The 2013 Honda CR-V is rather behind the best of the SUVs in the market primarily due to its comparatively underperforming 2.2 liter diesel motor. The Japanese luxury car maker thus quickly thought of a new and more efficient option and bringing in the new 1.6 liter diesel CR-V, which is much better in comparison to its 2.2 liter diesel counterpart.

The new 1.6 liter diesel CR-V is better in all performance criteria, offering an average mileage of 62.8mpg as against the 2.2 liter model’s 50.4mpg. Moreover, the harmful CO2 emission rates are also cut down from the previous 149 per km to the present 119g per km.

While driving the new 1.6 liter diesel CR-V, you are required to keep the motor running above 1500rpm, as it feels quite flat under this. However, if you tend to go beyond t 2500rpm, the car’s engine would sound gravelly.

Thus, in order to keep the motor running within these two limits, gear changes need to be often. Not to worry, as its six-speed manual transmission is really smooth and can handle this nicely.

The new 1.6 liter diesel CR-V has not only changed its diesel burner but has also ditched its 2.2 mode’s all four wheel drive system to make it light and boost efficiency. The SUV’s suspension has also been tweaked to an enhanced driving experience.

The new 1.6 liter model is much smoother on the roads and glides around the sharp turns offering the driver and effortless smooth drive. However, the passenger comfort is not that good, as the CR-V gives a rather unsettled drive and it tends to jerk a bit on the rough roads, which can be really tiresome especially during long drives.

On the inside, the Honda CR-V comes with its spacious and comfortable cabin that accommodates five adults, along with a humongous boot space. The CR-V also offers great and easily foldable rear seats to increase the cargo area, as the SUV has an amazingly big yet light tailgate.

The interior has a great ambience and is luxurious to. However, the standard dashboard layout is cluttered with buttons and switches and does not seem consumer friendly. You can opt for the optional touch-screen sat-navigation system though, which makes things much better.

The build quality of the Honda CR-V is also robust and gives a tough quality feeling. The driver’s seat adjusts with rather big leaps and some drivers may feel that they cannot get the right position.

If you consider buying a CR-V, then the new 1.6 liter diesel model will be a best buy, unless you cannot think without all four wheel drive and an automatic transmission. The new 1.6 diesel CR-V offers a much cheaper running cost compared to the 2.2 model, and offers greater and smoother performance.

The CRV’s primary rival is the new Skyactiv-D 150 Mazda CX-5, which features a stronger engine and offers a better driving experience. The new 2013 Honda CR-V 1.6 liter diesel will go on sale from October this year, with a starting tag of £22,000.