2014 Honda CR-V

For the next generation of the Honda CR-V we can’t expect major styling changes. The new 2014 Honda CR-V will probably come with few exterior changes, particularly with regard to the front- and rear-end treatments, where we might see new lower fascias, revised headlamps and taillights and perhaps a more-aggressive looking front grille. Inside, Honda will include the use of higher-quality materials on the dashboard, doors, and center console to give it a richer look and feel. Switches and gauges might be revamped, and the vehicle could receive revised seats as well. We expect the current trim levels to remain status quo with the 2014 CR-V, including the base LX, well-equipped EX, and leather-clad EX-L models in both front- and all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions.

Assuming Honda chooses to equip the 2014 CR-V with the Accord’s Earth Dreams engine, it will be a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that will probably generate around 181 horsepower (compared to 185 with the model-year 2013 version), but with a slightly more torque at around 177 pound-feet (versus 163), which should make the vehicle feel faster from a standing start. With the new powerplant the 2014 CR-V should become more fuel-efficient as well.

A revamped 2014 Honda CR-V could also receive a six-speed automatic transmission, which is already being offered in the 2013 Accord and the crossover’s upscale equivalent at Acura, the RDX. The six-speed would likely shift more smoothly and afford better fuel economy than the 2013 version’s five-speed gearbox. While the Accord also offers a six-speed manual transmission with its four-cylinder engine, we don’t expect there’s enough interest in the marketplace to warrant making the stick shift available on the CR-V. The 2014 Honda CR-V’s available AWD system should continue unchanged, though there may be minor revisions to the suspension to improve the vehicle’s ride and handling characteristics a notch.

Should the 2014 Honda CR-V continue with the current engine/transmission combination, expect its fuel economy to remain steady at an EPA-estimated 23/31/26-mpg city/highway/combined with front drive and 22/30/25 mpg with AWD. That’s about average among compact crossover these days and is on a par with competitors like the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Equinox. If the 2014 CR-V indeed gets its own version of the Accord’s Earth Dreams 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, expect those estimates to jump to around 25/34/28 mpg with front drive and 25/33/27 with AWD.

The 2014 Honda CR-V will likely receive only a modest price increase, regardless of whatever revisions it may receive, to keep it competitive in a hotly contested market segment. This means a base price of around $23,750 for the LX, $26,750 for the EX and $29,750 for the EX-L; choosing AWD should add about $1,400 to the price of either trim level. As before Honda will probably not offer standalone options for the 2014 CR-V, save for a rear-seat entertainment system (at around $1,500) and a GPS navigation system (about $750) on the top EX-L model.

The 2014 Honda CR-V will likely be shipped to dealer showrooms in fall, 2013.