The CR-V’s spacious interior layout becomes more accommodating with an improved centre console (now standard) and an overall lower cargo floor height. The most significant new interior feature is the Easy Fold-Down 60/40 Split Rear Seatback that makes accessing the full capability of the cargo area more convenient and easier to use than traditional manual folding seats. Each side of the rear seat can automatically fold nearly flat into the front of the cargo area using one of the small levers located near the tailgate or a pull-strap positioned on the seat side. Heated front seats are now standard on all trims.

Beyond its new versatile packaging, the CR-V demonstrates new attention to the in-vehicle experience, with sophisticated instrumentation and a standard full-colour, 5-inch "intelligent" Multi-Information Display (i-MID) that offers a range of customizable features via fingertip controls on the steering wheel.

Although the floor pan is the same height as in the previous model, the new CR-V has a slightly lower seating position, while still retaining an elevated driver vantage point that customers value in this class. A lower cargo floor is designed to improve ease of cargo loading

The CR-V’s audio systems offer a new level of connectivity, including a convenient SMS text messaging feature that, when paired with a compatible phone, can read incoming texts aloud through the audio system and allow the CR-V’s driver to respond with any of six factory preset text messages. The Bluetooth^®2 HandsFreeLink^® phone interface is standard on all models, and offers intuitive hands-free calling convenience.

Improvements to the 2012 CR-V’s 185-horsepower, 2.4-litre, i-VTEC DOHC 4-cylinder engine contribute to more power (+5 horsepower) and torque than the previous generation CR-V. The estimated city/highway fuel economy rating improves in front-wheel-drive models to 9.0/6.4 L/100 km¹ ( -0.8/-0.7L/100km) and models equipped with the available Real Time AWD™ system improves to 9.2/6.6 L/100km¹ ( -0.9/-0.9 L/100km), with an improvement in highway driving.

The CR-V achieves the best highway fuel economy for any vehicle in its class. Plus, a new ECON operating mode increases the potential for drivers to improve the vehicle’s fuel efficiency when the system is activated. The CR-V comes standard with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

The 2620 mm wheelbase, wide front and rear track dimensions, advanced suspension design, and features such as Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA^®) and new Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) all contribute to the CR-V’s objective to provide a premium driving experience and added ride comfort. The CR-V’s suspension system uses a front MacPherson strut design and a precise rear multi-link suspension. The rear multi-link suspension helps maximize rear seating and cargo space, while also providing outstanding handling characteristics and ride quality. Higher-capacity shock absorbers compared to the previous model contribute to a sophisticated driving feel.

The 2012 CR-V exemplifies Honda’s approach to safety. Every CR-V incorporates as standard equipment VSA, an electronic stability control system; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist; side-curtain airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and a front seat design that can help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. Similar to the previous-generation CR-V, an Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure in the front of the vehicle helps make the vehicle highly effective at absorbing and dispersing the energy of a frontal crash.

Compared to the 2011 model, the 2012 body design is more aerodynamically efficient with a 25 mm lower roofline and numerous refinements. Even with its sleeker appearance the CR-V still offers a generous 1013 mm of headroom (LX model), an increased passenger volume of 2949 L, up 10 L (LX model), and the same ground clearance of 170 mm (AWD models) as the 2011 CR-V.

The 2012 CR-V front-wheel-drive (2WD) model has a ground clearance of 160 mm. The overall packaging approach creates the largest, most functional interior possible for a vehicle of this exterior size and proportion. A revised doorsill design with an improved step-over angle allows for easier ingress and egress.

Large 5-spoke wheels (17-inch alloy for the CR-V EX and above, and 16-inch steel for the CR-V LX), and bold fender flares emphasize the vehicle’s dynamic presence and capability. The CR-V’s signature vertical taillights, which have been a design fixture since 1997 on the first-generation CR-V in Canada and the U.S. (1995 elsewhere in the world), continue with a new theme for 2012 with a more three-dimensional style that further complements the design and aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Significant reductions to the impact of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) throughout the body and chassis improve interior quietness and ride quality compared to the previous model. To achieve this improvement, the 2012 CR-V has greater body rigidity, better suspension isolation properties, additional noise insulation and more aerodynamic features including large underbody covers and a rear spoiler.

New on the 2012 CR-V is a driver’s-side Expanded View Driver’s Mirror. This mirror uses a flat reflective plane on the inner portion of the mirror closest to the door, as required by law, while the outer portion of the mirror uses a convex element to provide a broader field of view. This adds an additional 5.5 degrees of visibility at the outer edge of the mirror’s field of view, which can assist the driver in detecting other vehicles or road conditions that they might not otherwise see in their side mirror.

The interior of the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V aims to redefine what’s possible in the entry-level SUV class with an improved driving position, reduced noise levels, new comfort features, convenient integration with personal technology, versatile cargo storage and high-quality materials. New technologies include an SMS text reading and response function (with compatible cell phones) through the new intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID). All 2012 CR-V models include a new easy fold-down 60/40 split rear seat, large-volume centre console storage, an Eco Assist™ system and a quieter and more refined cabin.

Sophisticated instrumentation includes an average fuel-economy indicator, instant fuel economy, kilometres-to-empty indicators, an engine oil life indicator and an exterior temperature indicator. Additionally, a standard full-colour "intelligent" Multi-Information Display (i-MID) offers a range of customizable features via fingertip controls on the steering wheel.

The CR-V LX comes standard with a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, and six speakers on the CR-V EX. CR-V EX-L and Touring offer a 360-watt AM/FM/CD/XM audio system with seven speakers including a subwoofer. The audio system offers a new level of connectivity with a convenient SMS text messaging feature (with compatible smart phones) that can read incoming texts aloud through the audio system. The standard Bluetooth² HandsFreeLink phone interface offers convenient hands-free calling.

Like previous generations, the new CR-V offers a class-leading low cargo floor and lift-over height for ease of loading, along with an increase in passenger and cargo volume. New for 2012 is an innovative Easy Fold-Down 60/40 Split Rear Seatback that can automatically and quickly drop flat into the rear foot well using release levers located near the tailgate opening (or via pull-straps accessible from each rear door). Heated front seats are now standard on all trims.

Extensive safety equipment includes dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, and Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) in the rear outboard seats. A new front seat design also helps reduce the severity of neck injury in a rear collision.

A rear multi-angle rearview camera, included on all models, provides a choice of three different views on the i-MID or navigation screen, providing more visual information for the driver when backing up.

The all-new 2012 CR-V features a sophisticated powertrain that offers versatile performance for city and highway driving, improved fuel economy, and available all-wheel drive for confidence-inspiring capability in low-traction conditions. Improvements to the CR-V’s 2.4-litre, i-VTEC DOHC 4-cylinder engine for 2012 yield more power – now 185 horsepower, 5 horsepower more than the previous generation CR-V – along with enhanced torque delivery.

A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard. The CR-V’s estimated city/highway fuel economy rating is now 9.0/6.4 L/100km for front-wheel-drive models (an improvement of 0.8 city and 0.7 L/100km highway) and models equipped with the available Real Time AWD™ with Intelligent Control System™ decrease to 9.2/6.6 L/100km (improved by 0.9 City and 0.9 L/100km Highway). Fuel economy is improved by up to 12-per cent in highway driving. Taking a cue from the 2012 Civic, a new ECON operating mode and Eco Assist feature increases the potential for drivers to improve the vehicle’s fuel efficiency when the systems are activated and utilized.

For drivers who desire the all-season confidence of all-wheel drive, the new Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System introduces a high degree of all-wheel-drive sophistication in rain, snow, dirt roads and dry pavement. The electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system replaces the previous-generation CR-V’s Real Time™ 4WD, a mechanically-activated "dual-pump" system that required a small degree of wheel slip to activate. Real Time AWD offers confident capability and user friendliness in a lightweight, fuel-efficient and technologically-sophisticated design.

New for 2012, Hill Start Assist helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when the driver switches from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a hill. Hill Start Assist automatically activates when the vehicle senses a certain incline and is fully stopped in any forward or reverse gear.

The 2012 CR-V chassis is designed to maximize driving enjoyment, passenger comfort and safety with its fully independent front MacPherson strut suspension and rear multi-link suspension. Following the 2012 Civic, the new CR-V is the second Honda in the North American market to use Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS).

Standard on all 2012 CR-V models, this sophisticated new system works with the standard VSA and Electric Power Steering to detect instability in slippery road conditions both during cornering and under braking and automatically initiates steering inputs that prompt the driver to steer in the correct direction. This advanced new technology supports the driver's action in operating the vehicle more safely and comfortably.

CR-V EX and above are equipped with 225/65R17 all-season tires with 17x6.5-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The CR-V LX is equipped with 215/70R16 all-season tires with 16x6.5-inch stamped steel wheels.

The 2012 CR-V exemplifies the Honda approach to safety. Every CR-V incorporates as standard equipment: VSA electronic stability control system; ABS with Brake Assist; side-curtain airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and a front seat design that can help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision.

Similar to the previous-generation CR-V, an ACE body structure in the front of the vehicle helps make the vehicle highly effective at absorbing and dispersing the energy of a frontal crash. A pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle is also included. Driver- and front-passenger seatbelt reminders are standard, as is LATCH, a child-seat mounting system for the outboard locations of the rear seats.

The 2012 CR-V had not yet been crash-tested by the federal or independent agencies as of November 2011, but it is expected to receive an Overall Vehicle Score of 5 Stars in the U.S.-based NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests, and to be designated a Top Safety Pick by achieving ‘Good’ ratings, the highest ratings possible, in all tests by the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

2012 CR-V Pricing

CR-V LX 2WD- $25,990, $300 cheaper than 2011 model

CR-V LX AWD- $27,990, $300 cheaper than 2011 model

CR-V EX 2WD- $28,790, $700 cheaper than 2011 model

CR-V EX AWD- $30,790, $700 cheaper than 2011 model

CR-V EX-L AWD- $33,090, $400 cheaper than 2011 model

CR-V TOURING AWD- $34,990, $600 cheaper than 2011 EX-L with Navi model

Specifications and Features (Table provided by Honda Canada Inc.)