Honda CR-V gets new diesel, automatic in UK

By Matt Brogan | September 11th, 2009

A revised CR-V range will go on sale in the UK from Januray next year featuring, among other things, the addition of a new diesel engine to the model line-up.

Since going on sale in 2007, the current CR-V has proved a popular seller in the UK but until now has lacked an automatic transmission on diesel models. The new 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel engine, which debuted in the 2008 Accord, takes care of that.

Producing 110kW @ 4000rpm of power (up 7.3kW) and a torque figure of 350Nm @ 2000rpm (up 10Nm) the new diesel is available with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The engine also meets strict new Euro 5 emissions legislation.

The 2010 model will also receive a refreshed exterior look with new front bumper and grille, revised rear bumper, and colour coded bumpers for the Base grade (known in the UK as the SE).

There’s also newly-designed 17-inch (SE) and 18-inch (ES and EX) alloy wheels and upgraded fabrics and plastics inside. A new audio console design has also been introduced, while improved sound deadening around the engine and cabin makes the CR-V an even quieter and more relaxing car to drive.

In addition to drivetrain and aesthetic changes the 2010 CR-V retains radar controlled Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which incorporates Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) – a system that predicts collisions and warns the driver, before applying braking and retracting the front seatbelts if the situation becomes critical. This feature is standard on ES and EX models but optional on the lower-spec SE.

CarAdvice spoke to Mr Mark Higgins, National Public Relations Manager, Honda Australia this afternoon to see if or when we could expect to see a diesel CR-V down under.

“Although we’d love to bring a diesel variant of the CR-V to Australia, the fact that the car is produced in the UK means the exchange rate and associated freight costs make the move a prohibitive one from a cost standpoint,” said Mr Higgins.

So, for the time being at least, this will be another one for the wish list.

Paul

Why Honda Australia waste their time trying to get Honda City’s and Honda Civic Hatch’s here at stupidly high prices I will never understand.

They should be focusing their attention on bringing out the Honda Accord Euro with the Diesel Engine and the CRV with the Diesel Engine too.

Honda Australia did state last year, that if a Automatic Diesel could be made, they would import it…

Well guys…. its been made…where is it?

Myke

I know Honda were keen to bring the Accord Euro diesel here, but only if it was available with an autobox. Due to its popularity can probably can’t get enough supply currently. I know with the last CRV diesel it was only built in the UK, not sure about the update but if its the same case we probably won’t see it here.

C

I have a sneaking suspicion that it should be here soon. Every other Japanese manufacturer has a diesel offering in Australia
Bazza Matazza

I have got over the looks of it now, and quite like it. Now it has a diesel coming, it may just seal the deal. I have been waiting for the forester to come out in diesel, but it looks like Honda will pip them!
Pops

Ahhh… the ugly split grille lives on post facelift. Another one crossed off my list.
Eureka

I’m still having difficulty with the front styling…whilst these changes improve things a little it still looks like a whale with it’s mouth open gorging on plankton (or whatever they eat).

Also, why don’t Honda Australia fit sat nav to any of their CRVs?
Steven

For me it’s between this and the new Hyundai ix35.

If we knew when Subaru were thinking of launching a Forester Diesel (Auto) then it will be worth waiting for as the engine is an absolute gem apparently.

I have a feeling it will be coming in late 2010 which is too long for me to wait.

Bazza Matazza

Thanks for reminding me Steven, yes the ix35 looks very interesting, maybe even more attractive for the discerning buyer

Bazza Matazza

Heard the same about the SCOOBY engine, by all reports it is nice and smooth

Simon

Good news from Honda. As has already been commented, will be interesting to see if they can get it here.
If car companies paid more attention to demographics, they would realize there is a mini baby boom happening in Australia.
It would be wise to be producing diesel people movers sooner rather than later. Those that get in sooner will have good sales success.
Matty B

I don’t understand why Honda Australia is so useless. They’ve got Diesels, they’ve got adaptive cruise control, we can’t even get Sat Nav in our cars. Even thought they’re made in Thailand to keep the costs right down

Steven

I reckon the 2wd version would be welcomed. Who really needs 4wd anyway especially as 90% of the time it’s in 2wd mode! That would save a few grand.

maximark

The CR-V AWD system is nearly useless anyway, as I heard from some CR-V owners.

DON

Very interesting to see what price Honda Australia will charge on this new facelift CRV? The current RRP price of CRV Luxury model is already $800 more expensive than new Subaru Outback 2.5I CVT Premium.
Martin

Hyundai-KIA’s 2.2L Diesel is better. Just over 400nm and just over 130kw.
http://Caradvice.com.au Baddass

Nothing short of a complete makeover will get me to like that front end.
Captain Mainwaring

Until there is a diesel CR-V supplied out of Japan or Thailand it will never come to Oz. Same goes for any other diesel Honda. And as the Japanese domestic market doesn’t want diesels, what do you think the chances are?
Paul

I dont see why Honda HQ in Japan doesnt get the bloody blue prints of the engines and start putting them into production.

The same games for the Civic Hatch.

Whos bright idea was it to ONLY build the Civic hatch in the U.K?

I cant see any logical reason behind them not giving the blue prints and all the design materials to the Japanese and the Thai so they can also build the Civic Hatch.

There are some very odd things Honda does, and I just cant understand why or how they can justify alot of the things they do.
Captain Mainwaring

Come on Paul, Honda owns the blueprints. It’s all the same company and the diesel engines were designed in and are manufactured in Japan. Some of the engines are sent to the UK where they are installed in cars built at Swindon, others are installed into cars in Japan (Accord), which are then exported to Europe. There is no physical reason why diesel Accords and CR-Vs cannot be supplied out of Japan to Australia. It’s a marketing reason. Perhaps Honda think diesels are ‘dirty’, and is only reluctantly selling them in Europe because if you don’t you miss out on half the market.
The other half of me says that they’ve only just got to the point of connecting a diesel to an automatic transmission, and there was little point in considering diesels for Australia until that was done. So maybe they will come sooner than we think.
knot-a-Hondafan-n-e-mor

Owning an 07 CR-V, I will NOT be getting another Honda CR-V. Really a most disappointing vehicle. Sure it handles and rides nicely and is reliable. But I would not dare take it off even the bitumen. Mine spins wheels wheels backing my trailer up the driveway if I wander onto the grass.The CR-V AWD system is nearly useless. I have no control like the others have.
It has the most annoyingly small fuel tank for a vehicle of this size, really limits range for travelling country roads. A few hills or a head wind and you are truly stuffed, this has happened to me on a trip to Western Qld.
Fold the rear seats down but they don’t go flat so the load space is next to useless – I can actually fit more into my wife’s Jazz, cause it has a longer flat floor space.
And since when did LUXURY models NOT even have a courtesy lamp in the glovebox or on the visors , or even those natty lamps on the door interior – Honda penny pinching ? Yeah I should have looked more closely, but I feel I got ripped. Message to HONDA Australia – get your act together!
Ron

I’ve owned 3 Honda CRV’s since 2000 and have been pleased with all three. Howvever if Honda don’t bring out the CRV in deisel looks like its time for a change. Honda your a bit slow on the take. Diesel is where its at now turbo diesel. Don’t place Australia in third place.