Honda may have discontinued the CR-V in India, but the SUV continues to be a strong seller for the brand in markets such as North America and Europe as well as its home market, Japan. The current fifth-generation CR-V was introduced globally in 2016, and was followed by a mid-life makeover in 2019.
Honda has begun work on the replacement for the fifth-gen CR-V, although the company has been tight-lipped about the new-gen SUV. A patent design image of what is likely the next-gen CR-V has now surfaced online, giving us a preview of the design of the new SUV.
- New CR-V to get fresh Honda design cues
- Technical details for the new CR-V are currently unknown
- Next-gen CR-V will sit above a new Civic-based SUV that's in the works
Next-gen Honda CR-V: what does the patent image reveal?
The sixth-gen CR-V's exterior styling seems to be a complete departure from the fifth-gen, which was also the last version of the SUV on sale in India. The new CR-V will adopt a much more upright and somewhat boxier silhouette, and is also expected to be a size larger than the current CR-V.
The front end of the new-gen CR-V gets Honda’s newer SUV family look, similar to what we have seen on the new HR-V as well as the RS midsize SUV concept that was unveiled late last year. Compared to the outgoing CR-V, the nose is flatter and a lot more upright and it gets a new hexagonal grille with a honeycomb mesh pattern. Flanking the grille are sleek headlamps that are connected by a slim strip above the grille, likely finished in chrome. Furthermore, the front bumper features a wide central air intake, L-shaped creases and some plastic cladding, adding a rugged appeal.
In profile, the next-gen CR-V adopts a very clean and sophisticated approach with just a single character line below the glasshouse, which, in turn, has a sharper outline than before. It gets more plastic cladding over the door sills and wheel arches and can be seen riding on rather simple five-spoke alloy wheels. While the patent image does not reveal the rear of the SUV, the new CR-V will continue with the high-mounted tail lamps, just like the current model.
Next-gen Honda CR-V: powertrain details
As of now, there are no specific details on what could be powering the next-gen CR-V. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine from the current CR-V could be carried forward to the new model. Overseas, the CR-V is also available with a 212hp, 2.0-litre petrol-hybrid engine with a twin-electric motor setup, which could also be carried forward. This engine, in fact, was also offered on the now-discontinued Honda Accord in India. Honda could also offer the 1.5-litre petrol engine with Honda’s e:HEV mild-hybrid technology, similar to what’s offered on the HR-V.
Honda’s SUV plans for India
While Honda is readying the new CR-V and a Civic-based SUV for the overseas markets, the brand is working on a new Creta-rivalling SUV for our country, although it is still some time away and expected to debut only in 2023. Late last year, Honda had unveiled the City-based RS midsize SUV concept in Indonesia, and while that concept is believed to preview Honda’s upcoming Creta rival, we are yet to hear officially from Honda about the same.
Should Honda bring the new CR-V to India? Let us know in the comments section.
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