Refreshed CR-V chosen for its fuel economy, driving dynamics, long list of new safety features and overall refinement
- Noted for its new Touring trim with Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive safety technologies
- America’s best-selling SUV over the past decade
The Honda CR-V has won Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year for 2015.
The CR-V claims the title with a long list of vehicle enhancements
for 2015, including its improved fuel economy and uncompromised driving
dynamics, thanks to the inclusion of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology™
powertrain, the launch of an all-new Touring trim, the debut of Honda
Sensing™ assistive and driver safety technologies and the CR-V’s
excellent value for money paradigm.
Motor Trend editor-in-chief Ed Loh, said, “The 2015 Honda
CR-V impressed our judges with its extensive list of delightful design
and thoughtful engineering improvements. Our editors were especially
impressed by Honda’s responsive and efficient continuously-variable
transmission and sophisticated safety systems – particularly the smart
and seamlessly integrated Lane Keeping Assist system. Efficient,
practical, and a joy to drive; the 2015 Honda CR-V does virtually
everything well.”
“It is an honor to receive such a prestigious award from the expert staff at Motor Trend,”
said Jeff Conrad, SVP & General Manager of Honda Division, American
Honda Motor Co, Inc. “Our engineers, planners, and dealers work hard to
deliver class leading products to our customers, and it’s extremely
rewarding to be recognized for that hard work. This award from Motor Trend reaffirms for us that we’re meeting that goal.”
In addition to the Honda CR-V, the 2015 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year competition included 18 other all-new or significantly updated SUVs:
BMW X4
BMW X5
Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Suburban
Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon
GMC Yukon XL
Jeep Cherokee
Lexus NX
Lincoln MKC
Lincoln Navigator
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Nissan Rogue
Porsche Macan
Subaru Outback
Toyota Highlander
Volvo XC60
Motor Trend’s Sport/Utility of the Year is not a comparison
test, and is only open to all-new or substantially upgraded vehicles
that have gone on sale in the 12 months from November 1 of the previous
year.
To judge contenders for the award, Motor Trend’s editorial
staff conducted an exhaustive three-phase testing process. Phase one
includes a full tech check and weigh-in, then full track testing to
establish baseline data for acceleration, braking and handling. Phase
two involves three days of road loops offering a range of road surfaces
and traffic conditions to evaluate ride and handling, engine and
transmission smoothness and responsiveness, wind and road noise and
ergonomics. An off-road section tests traction, stability, and braking
control systems. In the third phase the judges debate and deliberate.
The judging criteria include the following categories:
Design Advancement – well-executed exterior and interior styling; innovative vehicle packaging; good selection and use of materials.
Engineering Excellence – total vehicle concept and
execution; clever solutions to packaging, manufacturing and dynamics
issues; cost-effective tech that benefits the consumer.
Performance of Intended Function – how well the vehicle does the job its planners, designers, and engineers intended it to do.
Efficiency – low fuel consumption and carbon footprint, relative to the vehicle’s competitive set.
Safety – a vehicle’s ability to help the driver avoid
a crash, as well as the secondary safety measures that protect its
occupants from harm during a crash.
Value – competitive price and equipment levels, measured against those of vehicles in the same market segment.
Priced from $23,320, the CR-V is offered with a new Honda Earth
Dreams Technology™ 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter direct-injected
four-cylinder engine and CVT (continuously variable transmission). The
CR-V can be had in either front- or all-wheel drive, and it earns
best-in-class fuel economy, with and EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/34 mpg
highway/ 29mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models, and 26/24/28-mpg
for all-wheel drive.
The 2015 CR-V is expected to receive a Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+)
award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and its
official safety ratings will be released later this year. The 2015 CR-V
is manufactured exclusively for the North American market at Honda
plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico using domestic and globally
sourced parts.
The recognition from Motor Trend validates the sales success of the Honda
CR-V, which sold more than 300,000 units last year, and is on track
to do the same in 2014. CR-V’s strong sales performance has been a
consistent triumph for the Honda brand since the vehicle’s introduction,
leading CR-V to become the best-selling SUV in the industry over the
past decade.
For more information about the award, judging process, and the contenders check out the December issue of Motor Trend or visit www.motortrend.com.
Today, Honda is launching a 60- and 30-second anthem TV commercial, “Music Festival,”
with music by Portugal. The Man, a Honda Stage band, to launch the new
2015 CR-V. The commercial speaks to Gen Y and focuses on adults who are
establishing themselves and are about to or in the midst of entering
their next life stage. While embracing this rite of passage, these
singles, couples and young families are still dreamers and doers that
continue to make time for a fun, active and fulfilling life. The CR-V
advertising campaign will be supported across network primetime and
sports, digital, online video, social and print.
About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive
automobiles for American car buyers through approximately 1,000
independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Accord,
Crosstour, Civic, Fit, CR-Z and Insight along with the Pilot, and CR-V
sport-utility vehicles and the Odyssey minivan.
Honda has more models achieving an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating than any other automotive nameplate.
Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 30
years and currently operates 16 major manufacturing facilities in North
America. In 2013, more than 94 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in
U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced
parts.
1 Based on model year 2012 fuel economy data from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and its report: “Light-Duty Automotive
Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975
Through 2013.”
2 Longevity based on IHS Automotive, Polk U.S. vehicles in
operation registration statistics 1988-2012 for Honda and non-luxury
competing brands.
About Motor Trend:
Motor Trend®, a media brand of TEN: The Enthusiast Network
was founded in 1949 and is internationally recognized as one of the
leading brands in the automotive category. The Motor Trend brand is
comprised of Motor Trend magazine; the award-winning website MotorTrend.com;
Motor Trend Auto Shows; Motor Trend Audio; Motor Trend en Espanol;
Motor Trend India; and the renowned Motor Trend Car of the Year, SUV of
the Year, Truck of the Year, and Best Driver’s Car awards programs.
About TEN: The Enthusiast Network:
TEN: The Enthusiast Network
is the world’s premier network of enthusiast brands, such as Motor
Trend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Surfer, Transworld and GrindTV. With more
than 50 publications, 60 websites, 50 events, 1000 branded products, the
world’s largest automotive VOD channel, and the world’s largest
action/adventure sports media platform, TEN inspires enthusiasts to
pursue their passions. For more information, visit www.enthusiastnetwork.com.
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