Three decades is a milestone for any business venture, and it happens to be the same length of time that Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has been serving the Filipino market. To celebrate 30 years of existence, HCPI launches the all-new Honda City and the facelifted 2021 CR-V.
The refreshed CR-V adopts the U.S. version's relatively flashier fascia
The refreshed Honda CR-V builds on the successful formula established by the current model, which is why the changes are minimal yet distinct. Body length has grown 52mm over the outgoing model to 4,623mm, while width and height practically remain the same at 1,855mm and 1,668mm, respectively. At 2,662mm, the wheelbase has a marginal 2mm increase.
2021 Honda CR-V Facelift First Look Philippines: Spicing up the working recipe
Largely retaining the current version’s fascia, the 2021 Honda CR-V carries a blacked-out grille and a more prominent front bumper with chrome surround, which it adopts from the U.S.-spec model. The housing for the bar-type LED fog lamps holds larger vents.
The same body cladding is present on the wheel wells that house redesigned alloy wheels, ranging from 17 to 18 inches. Power-adjustable mirrors with auto-fold feature also have integrated turn signal repeaters.
Smoked tail lamps top a more subtle rear bumper
For the rear, the combination tail lamps surrounding the tailgate have been smoked with a black tint. The redesigned rear bumper does away with the skid plate and features more chrome trim.
Heading to the interior, the 2021 CR-V retains the current cabin’s size and layout, featuring piano-black trim and two-tone wood accents. There’s available leather seating for up to seven occupants, with memory settings for the power-adjustable front seats.
A full-color instrument cluster sits behind the leather steering wheel, while the 7-inch touchscreen head unit now features support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless charging has also been added as a bonus, available exclusively in the top-spec variant.
The top-spec SX variant comes with onboard wireless charging
Under the hood, the 2021 CR-V continues to rely on a 2.0L i-VTEC gasoline engine producing 152 hp and 189 Nm of torque for the entry-level variant, and a 1.6L Earth Dreams turbodiesel engine that generates 118 hp and 300 Nm of twist.
The gasoline mill works with a continuously variable transmission, while the diesel is linked to a 9-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on most variants, with the range-topping SX getting all-wheel-drive.
The Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies is also present on the top-spec S and SX trims, comprising features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Low-Speed Follow, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane-Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.
All CR-V variants get four-wheel anti-lock brakes, Agile Handling Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, and a reverse camera. Dual airbags are default, with the base S and range-topping SX offering side and side curtain airbags.
>>> Related: 2021 Honda CR-V: Expectations and what we know so far
Expect the same Honda flexibility when it comes to cargo space
The 2021 Honda CR-V comes in four variants, with a starting CRV price Philippines of Php 1,678,000 for the entry-level gasoline 2.0S CVT, all the way to Php 2,158,000 for the top-spec SX Diesel seven-seat variant.
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