Canadian Driver: Inside Story: 2009 Honda CR-V EX-L

Inside Story is a review of interior comfort features, cabin controls, storage options, trunk space and under-hood accessibility based on a seven-day evaluation.

Review and photos by Michael Clark
Sniff! Sniff! I smell mini-van.

Something wickedly interesting has been coming this way for ‘utes, be they cute, brute, or otherwise. Hang on to your hats; we are witnessing the next evolution of the family truckster. It may not seem like much of a news flash for the latest incarnation of the Honda CR-V, until you start poking around inside, and poking around the primordial soup pond at other makes. Four-cylinder mills are becoming respectable choices. Second-row sunroofs? Power tailgates? “Station Wagon: The Next Generation” with a much-needed dash of mini-van sensibility. The Omni-ute?
While you wrestle with the philosophy, I’ll assess the CR-V EX-L edition, with an MSRP of $35,190. (Prices shown do not include freight, taxes, regional or promotional incentives.)

The CR-V’s three-spoke wheel provides tilt and telescoping positioning, with spoke-mounted tabs for audio and cruise control. The gauge pod is a crisp read, with average fuel economy metering, outside temperature, and digital bar sweeps for engine temperature and fuel level.

The driver’s door pod houses an auto Up/Down switch for the driver pane. Power mirrors and Vehicle Stability Assist controls are dash-mounted, to the left of the driver. The exterior mirrors are heated, when the electric defrost switch is engaged. EX-L trim adds the auto dual zone HVAC system. The audio head unit includes a six-CD stacker. The parking brake is a floor pedal mount, with no snag issues encountered, even with the positioning to the right-hand of the dead pedal support. The five-speed automatic is without a manu-gate, though the upper ranges can be locked out as required.

In the “Scratching Fingers Down Blackboard Department”, the sound of the rear wiper in heavy rain mimics the aural quality of the Tripods in the latest War of the Worlds rendering. This would be the sound that occurs right before unsuspecting humanoids are turned into instant coffee. Another continuing Honda sniggle is the omission of an auto detent for the headlamp switch.

Cubbies!
You know those gloveboxes that are like, two gloveboxes? The non-locking top unit includes a rubber anti-rattle pad, with the bottom locking storage overwhelmed by the owner’s lit. Note the handy Quick Start Guide, which every vehicle should possess. There is an abundance of storage portals, though many are open to prybar eyes. The front doors have a smaller coin-sized gully, which steps down to a larger pocket, next to a bottle-specific cavity. The rear doors have a Hot Wheels-sized gully, and a bottle holder. Below the HVAC controls are two open cubbies, plus a 12-volt DC powerpoint. An open flock-lined dash-mount cubby is found to the left of the driver.

The centre console has a definite van feel, separated from the centre stack. Cinchless cupholders draw redemption with good depth. A flip-top cubby next to the cups is perfect for cell phone stow. The rear compartment has a roll-top style door, with a rubber floor pad, 12-volt DC powerpoint, and the auxiliary audio input. Rear seatbacks are fitted with storage pockets, while the rear centre armrest reveals two cinchless cupholders.

Seat Treat
The driver’s seat gets eight-way power adjustment, plus a power lumbar bladder. Front seats enjoy two-step heating. Comfort is assured for rear seat passengers, with reclination available for all three seating positions. Fore and aft travel can make the difference for cargo conundrums that occur with a full suite of passengers.

The Overhead
Dim is the term best used to describe the omission of an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror at this price level. The sunglasses holder does double duty, with a conversation mirror detent. The darkness continues, with unlit vanity mirrors on no-slide visors. The auto sunroof uses a robust deflector. Future racking systems have plenty of attachment points.

Cargo Embargo
It would be easy to jump on the exclusion of a retractable cargo cover, until you discover the dual-deck cargo shelf system. When in place, the shelf provides additional top shelf stacking, and/or security for valuables. The shelf is simply stowed on top of the existing cargo floor footprint when not in use. Rear seatbacks can fold forward, or flip the entire seat as cargo requires. A third 12-volt DC powerpoint is found on the cargo area wall.

Spare Care
A full-sized temporary spare tire is housed below the cargo area floor, which needs to removed completely for access. Honda will change it for you, during the first three years of ownership, with no mileage limit.

The Mill
As most readers of this column know, engine placement and accessibility is a favourite topic. Not only is the 2.4-litre 166-horsepower four an accessibility treat for failure components, Honda will even let you check the automatic transmission fluid! Fuel consumption ratings are pegged at 10.7 litres per 100 km City, and 7.8 litres per 100 km Highway. During my test, which was Urban heavy, fuel economy settled in at 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres. Not bad, considering the Real Time 4WD system underfoot.

The Verdict
When a vehicle has had a chance to shuffle through press fleets over a few years, it’s only proper that each and every auto scribe identify and assess the areas for improvement, which usually end up being addressed on the next gen. It can sometimes be a double-edged sword, when our favs are omitted on the next go-round. Note to the Honda CR-V “What’s Next Team”; sound-deadening material, and maybe a few more cubby covers is all that’s really needed, plus throw in features that are now expectations on higher-end models, such as the auto-dim mirror and Bluetooth. (Hey; why not put them together?) And pay close attention to the Omni-ute models now making a play for your market share, such as next week’s subject, the Toyota Venza.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/08/06/inside-story-2009-honda-cr-v-ex-l.htm