Sleek Exterior
The 2017 Honda CR-V is sure to stun with its modern and sporty exterior redesign. For 2017, the compact SUV’s front end will get a sleeker look. To achieve a more modern aesthetic, Honda will elongate the CR-V’s hood and deck out the vehicle with touches of chrome.
An attractive new grille with Active Shutter technology will be added too. Not only will it improve the CR-V's appearance; it will also lessen aerodynamic drag. Signature LED headlights are also a new option for 2017.
Athletic Presence
Honda aims to portray a greater “athletic presence” with the 2017 redesign, and the sharp rear design alterations and the addition of dual exhaust pipes help achieve this.
The 2017 CR-V will feature an all-new, hands-free power liftgate, which will allow you to open and close the liftgate by waving your foot under the rear of the vehicle. Also new for 2017, Honda will offer larger aluminum-alloy wheels (17- or 18-inch, depending on which trim you choose).
Redesigned From the Ground Up
Reviewers say the 2016 CR-V handles well but is nothing to write home about, so they’ll be pleased to hear that Honda has tweaked the CR-V’s frame to achieve more agile handling.
To start, the 2017 CR-V will feature more ground clearance than the 2016. The 2017 model will use the same MacPherson strut front suspension system as the 2016. However, a rear multilink suspension system will replace 2016’s double wishbone to allow for greater adjustability. To top it off, Honda has redesigned the CR-V’s sway bars and added new, low-friction dampers.
Putting all technical-speak aside, Honda has redesigned the frame of the CR-V to provide sharper handling and a smoother ride for 2017.
More Power Under the Hood
What better way to complement a chassis redesign than with an all-new engine? Well, maybe the addition of two all-new engines.
For 2017, the Honda CR-V will get a turbocharged engine, the first ever for this model. EX and higher trims will be equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 190 horsepower. The base LX trim will get a 184-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. These engines will replace the 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that powers the 2016 Honda CR-V.
Like the 2016 engine, both new 2017 engines will be mated to a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive will be offered, again, for 2017.
Better-Than-Class-Leading Cargo Space
The 2016 Honda CR-V boasts class-leading cargo space. However, for 2017, Honda will add a bit more storage space for good measure.
The 2016 model offers 37.2 cubic feet of space with the rear seat up, whereas the 2017 CR-V will offer 39.2 cubic feet of space. With numbers like this, Honda claims that the all-new CR-V will offer “top-in-class interior space.”
Improved Interior
Although the 2016 Honda CR-V is ranked No. 1 among compact SUVs, it earned a surprisingly average interior rating of 8.1 out of 10.
Reviewers complained that the 2016 model lacked interior refinement. The interior of the 2017 CR-V, on the other hand, is clothed in upgraded, soft-touch materials. A refined instrument panel and intricately stitched seating have been added as well.
Honda also kept comfort in mind when redesigning the 2017 CR-V. A 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat were added to ensure optimal comfort.
Options Galore
The 2016 Honda CR-V has been praised for its plethora of optional tech and safety features. The 2017 CR-V raises the bar that much higher by offering even more features.
For 2016, Honda offers a 7-inch touch-screen display to accompany the audio system. However, this feature is only available on higher trims. For 2017, Honda will add a 5-inch LCD screen to the list of standard features on the base model of the CR-V.
Many reviewers complained about the 2016 CR-V's touch-sensitive volume buttons, so Honda replaced them with a traditional volume knob in the 2017 CR-V.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also new optional features for 2017. Additionally, remote engine start, heated side mirrors, and rear USB charging ports are among the other new optional features for 2017.
Honda’s Standard of Safety
Honda has always been an industry leader in terms of safety. In 2015, when the Honda Sensing technology debuted, the 2015 CR-V earned U.S. News & World Report's Best Compact SUV for Families award, as well as our Best Compact SUV for the Money award.
The 2016 model features this safety technology but only offers the full package in the Touring trim. For 2017, Honda will offer Honda Sensing technology as standard on EX and higher trims. With the addition of this package, the EX, EX-L, and Touring trims will be equipped with collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, road departure mitigation, and lane departure warning, among other safety features.
Coming to a Dealership Near You Winter of 2017
The all-new 2017 CR-V will go on sale this winter. The 2016 model had a starting MSRP of $23,845, but price details have yet to be released for the 2017 CR-V.
If you were a fan of the 2016 Honda CR-V, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for U.S. News’ ranking and review of the 2017 CR-V. In the meantime, check out our compact SUV rankings to see what the CR-V is up against.
Best Price Program
If you can't wait for the 2017 Honda CR-V to come out, there are great deals available on the 2016 CR-V through U.S. News & World Report's Best Price Program, which can save you thousands off of the dealer price.
You can find even more savings by checking out the Honda manufacturer incentives on our Honda deals page.
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All-New Inside and Out
The Honda CR-V has been a mainstay in the compact SUV segment since its debut in 1997. The 2016 Honda CR-V is the second-best-selling compact SUV of 2016 and U.S. News & World Report’s No. 1-ranked compact SUV.
For 2017, Honda will completely redesign this popular SUV. The all-new, fifth-generation CR-V will offer plenty of new performance, tech, and design features. Check out the highlights in the following slides.