With the compact crossover market rapidly picking up customers, does the time-tested Honda CR-V continue to earn its popularity? We gave it a quick half-hour drive in the 2015 model to find out how it fares.

Exterior

Honda’s entire line seems to have undergone a facelift recently. The 2015 CR-V got its new look in the fall of 2014. The front fascia gives the crossover a modern look. The roofline has been straightened just a bit toward the rear which makes the new version look less quirky than CR-V’s of the past. Curves along the entire body give it a similar look to the new Pilot’s design and the marque’s brand new compact crossover the HR-V.

Handling

Honda has a reputation for reliable vehicles with a solid ride. The CR-V upholds that reputation. Steering the CR-V was easy. The wheel felt well connected to the road, and the vehicle went where it was pointed. The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine produced a respectable 185 horsepower. The engine was mated to Honda’s standard issue continuously variable transmission which allowed for quick acceleration. The transmission managed revs well without the clunkiness that plagued older Honda automatic transmissions.

Interior

The CR-V is also typical Honda inside as well. The layout of the dash and console are modern and every control is where you expect it to be when you reach for it except for cruise control. We could not find the controls for the system during our drive. Another huge disappointment we experienced inside the CR-V was the view out the rear window. Wide d-pillars encroach on the rear window and limit the view making highway driving a challenge. A nifty sideview mirror mounted under the passenger side mirror activates when the right turn signal is engaged and virtually eliminates right side blindspots.

Seating and Storage

Every seat in the CR-V was comfortable. The vehicle felt roomy for four adults–or two adults with two quickly growing kids. Console storage was adequate under the center armrest. Front seat cupholders were low and out of the way of center stack controls and the shifter.  The backseat area featured a disappointing number of cupholders. A foldable armrest in the middle of the back row folds down to provide access to the only two cupholders in the back. They are small and too close together to allow for anything but the skinniest of drinks.

Cargo room seemed immense at 35.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 70.9 cubic feet with the rear seats down. A relatively flat lift gate allows the storage area to be tall without the back glass encroaching into the storage capacity too much.

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images courtesy of Honda