At Rydell Honda of Grand Forks, we love the CR-V. It’s just what so many of our buyers need: the right balance of comfort, utility, value, and fun. Since its debut in 1997, the Honda CR-V has only grown in quality and popularity. The compact SUV is now one of the most popular vehicle styles in the world. Honda has taken everything it knows about making desirable, reliable cars and made the perfect compact family ride. Through five generations, the CR-V has continued to evolve, adding technology and innovation at every redesign.
Wondering what the future holds for this vehicle? Exciting things are rumored for 2022 and 2023. Honda engineers are working to make the best even better. A brand new CR-V model is on the horizon. We don’t know a lot yet, but we can speculate on what changes might be in the works. What’s good that we’d never change? What improvements would you want? What is your wild side saying?
Looking Back
Sometimes the best way to predict the future is to look to the past CR-V specs and figures. What can we learn about previous model releases that might give us hints? The fifth generation brought a suite of modern safety features to the CR-V. We’ll likely see an advanced version of the Honda Sensing system available on the new Accord. It features smarter-than-ever collision mitigation, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and even traffic sign recognition. The next CR-V will be a safer place than ever for your family.
In 2015, we saw the continuously variable transmission (CVT) come to the CR-V. The system was borrowed from the ninth-generation Accord. While CVTs in general have been frowned upon by many auto enthusiasts, many critics consider Honda’s to be the best around. A well-built CVT delivers seamless power from stop to freeway. It never shifts; it’s always in the power band. Will the 2022-23 CR-V see another transmission innovation?
The third-generation CR-V, launched in 2006, was the first to see USB ports and Bluetooth. We can expect that plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the upcoming model, but how can the sixth generation do something special with infotainment? Maybe it can expand on some of the family features from the Odyssey? Wireless charging, at least in the front, seems like a guarantee.
Spy Shots
What’s more exciting than a prototype with the badges covered by camouflage? Test drivers try to be sneaky, but automotive spies are always on the lookout. So what have sneak peaks of the new CR-V revealed?
Early reports show the new version is larger than before. It’s longer overall with a stretched hood and rear overhang, looking a bit lower and sleeker to the eye. The extra space may accommodate an optional third row. It certainly will allow more passenger and cargo space. The trapezoidal grille is more prominent on the newest model. The rear lights are now horizontal rather than vertical, creating a less boxy look.
Considering the Accord and Civic were recently redesigned, the new CR-V will likely borrow much from both. It will likely share a platform with the Honda Civic, which is excellent. No doubt the CR-V will be springier as a result. Spy shots also show lots of Accord styling on the front end and the dash. The infotainment screen shares a similar design, so Honda will probably keep it for the SUV, too.
Possible Engines for the 2022 CR-V
AS it turns out, 2020 may have already told us what we need to know about what will be under the hood of the next generation CR-V. Last year Honda dropped its 2.4-liter engine in favor of a 1.5-liter turbo-charged inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Not missing the extra displacement, critics were impressed by the power, lack of lag, and fuel efficiency.
That same year, Honda debuted a hybrid CR-V that combines an electric motor with a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle turbo four-cylinder to provide 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque combined. It’s very likely that both the 1.5-liter and the hybrid will continue into 2022.
We’d love to see the next generation CR-V get the Civic Type R treatment. Think about wringing 306 horsepower out of a 2.0-liter engine? Imagine lowering the CR-V a bit and borrowing the Type R’s four-wheel independent suspension. Why not blow open the CR-V’s practical reputation? Life is too short to not have a CR-V Type R.
What Do the People Want?
Whatever the year or car, many people have the same desires. They want power without sacrificing fuel economy. The 1.5-liter and hybrid are both good choices already, but they can be improved. A larger battery and electric motor on the hybrid would take more pressure off the gas side, further improving fuel efficiency. Yet people always want to be able to zoom, providing a desire for Honda’s racing blood in every vehicle. The CR-V has always been the conservative kid. Maybe it’s time for a fun version.
Many families want three rows, and Honda seems ready to deliver. It launched a three-row version at the Geneva Auto Show in 2018. On a new stretched frame, seating six to seven in a CR-V would be easy, and it would be a great seller. A panoramic moon roof would be a lovely option, and a more robust climate control system is likely in the works.
At Rydell Honda of Grand Forks, we’ve been selling new and used vehicles of all makes for nearly 70 years. Buyers from both sides of the North Dakota/Minnesota border trust us to navigate the ever-shifting world of new cars. Year after year, Honda has delivered machines big and small that love to do their jobs without stopping. The CR-V is one of our favorites because it fits the lives of active people and families so well.
And the CR-V keeps getting better. New, used, or future, Rydell has the right CR-V configuration for you. Contact us for any questions, and stay tuned for more news about the latest Honda models. We’ll make sure you’re the first to know.
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