New Honda CRV 1.6

[tim.lloyd222]

The 2015 Honda CRV has just been announced with a new 1.6 "earth dreams" engine in place of the 2.2 diesel. Output is claimed to be up from 148bhp to 158bhp with the same 350nm of torque as the old engine. Emissions are lower and fuel economy better.

Sounds great on paper but will it still make a good tow car? The current 1.6 only has 118bhp and 300nm and is reckoned to be underpowered for a matched caravan. Similarly the new X-trail claims 130PS and 320nm yet the reviews find it breathless even solo.

This seems to be the trend with SUVs polarizing between lighter and leaner "crossovers" and unreconstructed Chelsea tractors.

I'm in a quandary now as I was on the verge of buying a new or maybe nearly new 2.2 CRV. Should I grab one while they are still around or wait for the new model? (I'm also planning to upgrade to a Sterling SE Quartz at 1522kg MTPLM)

 

[xtrailman]

If you are looking at an auto I would wait for the new model.
Its a 8 speed ZF from what I've read, but only available on the 4wd version.

it would be my choice.
The present 5 speed auto is really dated, I wouldn't be surprised if the 8 speed also had a 2000kg tow limit.

 

[seth1]

There has been quite a big thread on this and this seems to underline some of the stuff i was trying to point out.Forget advancement the 8speed is not proven enough yet,get the 2.2 as its known to work.

 

[xtrailman]

Where's the "long thread"

 

[seth1]

The big thread i refered to is on the forum,why?

 

[xtrailman]

Where on the forum?
Anyway I got the gears wrong its a nine speed auto.

 

[seth1]

O well,whats one gear between friends,hope its better than the rest of modern day engineering.Of no connection how are you finding the Mazda,heard some worrying storys over sump levels increasing?

 

[xtrailman]

I did have some sump level rise after 5K, but not enough to worry about as I only do 7K a year.

At service the level was around 8mm above the full mark but way short of the X mark Mazda claim is permissible.

Apparently the oil used allows for some dilution.
My last Xtrail also had some oil rise but again nothing to worry about.

I was getting around 44mpg locally before the service up to 55mpg on a run off motorways. Since service its dropped to just over 42mpg very strange.

Its a great engine and the steering is excellent, the handling good for a SUV, shame about the oil rise.

The 9 speed auto would be great in the CX-5, its already in the evogue .