2010 Honda CR-V Goes On Sale Today, Offers More Power and Better Fuel Economy
By Scott Doggett September 10, 2009
The 2010 Honda CR-V went on sale in North America today, with improvements to its 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine over the 2009 model boosting fueling economy 1 mile per gallon while increasing power output 14 horsepower to 180 hp.
Honda said in a statement that the EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy ratings increased to 21/28 miles per gallon on 2WD models and 21/27 mpg on models equipped with 4WD -- "an increase of 1 mpg in both city and highway driving on all models."
While we don't question Honda's claimed EPA mileage estimates, it should be noted that they don't appear on the EPA's fuel-economy site and we were unable to ascertain the reason quickly.
Edmunds.com's fuel economy figures for the 2009 CR-V, which is the average combined number of miles a vehicle is able to travel using one gallon of fuel according to EPA simulated laboratory tests that consist of 45 percent highway and 55 percent city driving conditions, put that model at 22-23 mpg, so the combined FE rating for the 2010 model ought to be 23-24.
We wish we could report that the 2010 model had a starting price equal to or less than the starting price of the 2009 CR-V, but we can't. The newer model starts at $21,545 for 2-wheel drive, or $300 more than the current model year. Add $200 for 4WD.
People who consider the CR-V often look at the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4. The EPA posts fuel-economy figures for the 2010 RAV4 with 4WD (19/26, 6 cylinder, 3.5 liter, automatic 5-speed transmission; 21/27, 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, automatic 4-speed) and for the 2010 Forester 4WD (19/24, 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, automatic 4-speed; 20/27, 2.5 liter, manual 5-speed).
The RAV4 in 4WD starts at $22,900 and Forester, which is only available in 4WD, starts $20,295.
Here be additional basic specs for the new model:
- Engine: 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 180-hp @ 6,800 rpm
- Torque: 161 lb-ft. @ 4,400 rpm
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Passenger Volume: 103.8 cu-ft.
- Cargo Volume: 34.7 cu-ft.
- Standard Electronic Stability Control: Vehicle Stability Assist
- Standard Anti-lock Braking System: 4-channel with Brake Assist
- Standard Airbags: Driver's and Front-Passenger's Front Dual-stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags; Front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and Side-curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor.
Exterior styling enhancements include a freshened front fascia with a new grille and bumper design, a re-sculpted hood, and a new rear bumper shape. A 10-spoke alloy wheel design, standard on CR-V EX and EX-L, replaces the previous 7-spoke alloy wheel design.
Interior improvements focus on new features and functionality. Bluetooth HandsFreeLink is now included on models equipped with the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System. Auto on/off headlights have been added to the CR-V EX-L and the front seats have wider center armrests on all models.
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The EPA often seems slow in updating fueleconomy.gov. Just look at how long it took them to even put up a 2010 model page.
They're still not as good as the Chevy Equinox. I wonder when the popular media is going to start bashing the Japanese companies for not making fuel efficient cars.
P.S. I realize this is all a game, but I'm having a little bit of fun with it.
^I'm with you on your first sentence, brn. I've always thought the CR-V should be more fuel-efficient than it is.
-JS
It's mileage sounds really good if you think it's an SUV, not so much if you realize it's just a Civic wagon.
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