- The first official image of the redesigned 2012 Honda CR-V hints at an evolutionary styling change.
- The 2012 CR-V is slated to be introduced late this year.
- Honda will build the new CR-V at three North American assembly plants.
TORRANCE, California — The first official image of the redesigned Honda CR-V hints at an evolutionary styling change for the 2012 model — despite the usual public-relations hyperbole from Honda describing a "bold styling direction" and "an aggressive new stance."
In fact, the fourth-generation CR-V, which goes on sale in the fourth quarter, looks remarkably similar to the current 2011 model.
In May, Honda said it would delay by one month the production startup of the 2012 CR-V, which gets an extensive sheet-metal overhaul and mechanical upgrade. Honda also said it plans to build its redesigned CR-V at three North American plants, including East Liberty, Ohio; Alliston, Ontario; and El Salto, Jalisco, Mexico.
Honda said the image of what it dubbed the 2012 CR-V Concept "provides the first official glimpse of the styling direction for the all-new, fourth-generation CR-V set to go on sale in the United States by the end of the year."
Honda said the new car "will offer an added dimension of style, amazing interior versatility and Honda's latest technologies for convenience and refinement."
Details in Honda's official statement were scant, but the company said the 2012 CR-V "will feature a more fuel-efficient engine and reduced body weight (as well as) an all-new interior with a more accommodating and spacious design with a lower cargo floor."
Inside Line says: Why would Honda tamper with a winning formula?
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2011canodyssey says:
07:42 PM, 08/17/2011
I Have to agree with el1108, Honda does build boring vehicles. And not only that but they are expensively priced boring vehicles. And further to that we in Canada don't even get the opportunity to select the options we want. To get a factory nav system, we have to buy the "Limited" model in most of the lines. And those vehicles are at least 20-30% more than their counterparts in the USA. Most other car makers offer nav systems in their mid-range priced models and even lower. And if you want adjustable accelerator/brake pedals so that your short significant other can drive properly without being sandwiched between the steering wheel and the driver's seat, forget it. My 2002 Ford Taurus SE has adjutable pedals???? The Honda reminds me of the Lada Motor company that introduced their Lada vehicles into North American some 30-35 years ago with advanced technolgy like grease cups on the water pump! Canuck2012.
suvguy2005 says:
04:43 AM, 08/01/2011
Poor CRV. It just keeps getting uglier and uglier. :(
karz4life10 says:
06:33 PM, 07/30/2011
Good in front, Bad in the back
ispano says:
02:51 AM, 07/27/2011
Hello? Ofcourse it looks somewhat like the previous generation, and the one before that. Hello? That is Honda design.
Hyundai/Kia ripped every brand's design language from Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Infiniti, VW and Audi. Their cars NEED to look outrageous to match their outrageous claims. Nothing of theirs is original.
A previous poster put it perfectly. Go look at the Sportage's size. As good as it looks, all of that size is used for the exterior. The current Accord is regal and refined just like a family sedan should be. Flashy designs go out of fad quick. Humbleness lasts forever. Honda has a legacy that Hyundai/Kia can't touch. Hyundai Supercar? please. Go prove yourself in motorsport first. Oh, and I am willing to bet when the Hyundai supercar comes out, that it will be a copy of Honda's HSV-010GT. and a dash of LFA, and a dash of R8, and some Ferarri even.
Edmunds seriously needs to stop bashing on Honda design. It makes me want to come back to Edmunds less and less when i read stupid subjective design criticism of cars that I think are beautifully designed. EDMUNDS: Let the consumer decide on design at the time of purchase. Don't make the decision for them, especially when you're wrong.
etanretla says:
12:29 PM, 07/26/2011
looks like a crv on roids!..and thats not necessarily a good thing...id rather have a crv that looks simple, refined and purpose built...this would be the ugliest crv model in my opinion.
brent33 says:
08:19 AM, 07/26/2011
Although the general shape maybe the same and the design is not revolutionary, it's 10 fold better than the current model.
andiamo66 says:
07:03 AM, 07/26/2011
What is up with Honda lately? Is everyone on break? The latest designs for the Civic, Passport, and CR-V have been so close to previous generations that the general public won't even notice the new models on the street. With the current strategy, there is also little hope for the next Accord.
I hope they know what they are doing. Maybe they have everyone working on a new revolutionary engine/tranny combination that will change the world. Or, they are busy trying to figure out how to make a 6 speed automatic tranny work. Who knows?
They need to get it in gear or the competition will crush them. Maybe it is already too late.
lookatmyshoes says:
08:41 PM, 07/25/2011
With every new model Honda keeps the same engine at least a couple of years.
The current CR-V has 180 hp which will take them to the bottom of the list all CUVs in its segment. I hope Honda makes an aggressive move in offering a higher performance engine and if they are afraid of competing with the RDX they can go through the MPG low hp route and offer 40mpg.
My fear is that the next on the list the Accord which faces the toughest competition ever. Another bland and mediocre proposal in terms of design and performance and Honda is dead.
run_and_drive says:
06:53 PM, 07/25/2011
Well... it doesn't look as dumb as the Crosstour... so... sort-of-win?
tdiluv says:
06:09 PM, 07/25/2011
Noisy, rumbling and wind noise and lack of power i'm sure was addressed in the new design.