The Honda CR-V doesn’t exactly tug at the heart strings…sure it’s a good value-for-money package but last year at SEMA Honda gave us an idea on how to make it, well, better…
The updated Honda CR-V was revealed this week in Australia (it will go on-sale in September) boasting a nip and a tuck to its looks, new equipment and features and Honda’s active safety system standard now on all models running the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine.
There’s also now a hands-free function for the power tailgate and wireless phone charging on specific grades, as well as dual-zone climate control and a seven-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard across the range.
Only the entry-level Vi variant runs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine while the rest of the range runs a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo petrol engine and can be had in either front- or all-wheel drive layouts and with five or seven seats.
“The inclusion of Honda Sensing as standard equipment on all CR-V grades with the 1.5-litre turbo engine, represents another step in our plan to introduce the latest intelligent driver-assist and active safety technologies right across the Honda vehicle range,” said Honda Australia Director, Stephen Collins.
“The CR-V remains one of the top choices for private buyers in the Medium SUV segment. When you factor in the additional safety equipment, connectivity and technology features, the new CR-V offers the complete package to suit any lifestyle,” added Mr Collins.
To cover the added equipment, Honda has had to increase the price for the refreshed CR-V, the first time since the current generation went on-sale here in 2017.
| Grade | Engine | MLP* |
| Vi | 2.0L i-VTEC | $30,490 |
| VTi | 1.5L VTEC Turbo | $33,490 |
| VTi 7 | 1.5L VTEC Turbo | $35,490 |
| VTi X | 1.5L VTEC Turbo | $35,990 |
| VTi L AWD | 1.5L VTEC Turbo | $40,490 |
| VTi L7 | 1.5L VTEC Turbo | $43,490 |
| VTi LX AWD | 1.5L VTEC Turbo | $47,490 |
That’s all well and good and the new CR-V, on-paper, represents value for money. But here at MotoFomo we got to thinking about how it could be tweaked…and Honda itself told us how to do it.
Last year at SEMA, Honda showcased a range of tweaked CR-Vs which follow in the US trend of taking soft-roaders and turning them into weekend warriors. It’s a mod scene that we love at MotoFomo and our own Cristian Brunelli has a Subaru XV that, well, we’ll be running a story on it very soon so stay tuned for that.
Until then, here are the vehicles that Honda showed off at SEMA and what it did to them. Plenty of the stuff fitted to these vehicles is available for sale in the US, like the spacer lift kits and bar work. Now, before the lawyers have a field day, we’re not telling you to go and do this to your CR-V and, if you do…make sure you check with your mechanic first to ensure you stick within the rules and regulations around vehicle modifications and what it might mean for your insurance and warranty. Sensible stuff out of the way.
2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid “Do” Build by Jsport Performance Accessories
This 2020 CR-V Hybrid “Do” build was created by Jsport. Modifications include a 1.5-inch lift kit, side steps, and roof basket from Jsport, 17-inch KMC off-road wheels with Nitto Terra Grappler all-terrain tires, and a Cannondale mountain bike mounted to the roof basket.
2020 CR-V “Dream” Build by Jsport Performance Accessories
This 2020 CR-V “Dream” build was designed for the “overlander” type – someone who wants to venture past the trailhead and explore the outdoors with a vehicle equipped with the gear to support self-reliant adventure travel, according to Honda. Modifications include a 1.5-inch lift kit, side steps, front bumper, rear tire gate, and Plateau modular roof rack from Jsport, 17-inch KMC off-road wheels with Nitto Ridge Grappler all-terrain tires, and a Roofnest Falcon clamshell-style rooftop tent. The cargo area has been fitted with a drawer and a slide-out fridge.
And to show you that it’s not just Honda that’s trundling out rough-road CR-Vs the team at LP Aventure take modifying their soft-roaders very seriously and have a heap of gear to suit the CR-V, RAV-4 and Subaru Forester, Outback and XV (Crosstrek). Here’s one of its project cars.
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