The app offers a virtual dashboard, remote vehicle operation, location finder, and geo-fencing. Most models, excluding the Jazz, will also feature Honda’s Digital Key, enabling owners to use their smartphone as a key and share vehicle access with up to five additional drivers.

Also read: New 2025 Honda Civic Gains Powerful Hybrid Trims, Sportier Styling and Improved Tech

Key functionalities of the MyHonda+ app include sending points of interest to the sat-nav, creating favorite routes, and using a smartphone camera for vehicle pairing. The app now updates vehicle status more promptly once the ignition is turned off.

For all-electric and plug-in hybrid models, the app allows remote scheduling of vehicle charging and pre-conditioning of the cabin via the AC system before a journey.

Honda has simplified the subscription process for MyHonda+, combining previous packages into one. This will be free for the first three years from the vehicle’s registration date, followed by a low monthly fee. Subsequent owners within this period will also benefit from free access.

Also read: What is Honda's New Dog-First Technology PAW-S

The updated MyHonda+ app will be available to all existing and new users from July 1, 2024. Current owners of eligible models can visit their local dealer to activate the TCU module in their vehicle to sync with the app. New and prospective owners can explore the app’s features and trial its functionality at dealerships.

Embodying Honda’s commitment to zero road fatalities involving any of its products by 2050, the sixth generation CR-V features a number of improved and upgraded technologies to achieve one of the highest levels of passenger and pedestrian safety in its class.

Honda SENSING 360 features a 100° forward facing camera, millimetre-wave radar, and four corner radars to offer a complete 360° view around the vehicle. Object recognition by image, via the CR-V’s updated front camera, and object detection by radar, allows the vehicle to identify road lines, verges, motorcycles, cyclists and other vehicles.

Included within Honda’s expansive SENSING 360 offering is an improved Front Cross Traffic Warning, which is designed to detect the presence of vehicles to the left, right and in front of the car before issuing audible, visual and tactile alerts to alert the driver if approaching with too much speed.

If the driver fails to respond, the Collision Mitigation Braking System is triggered, which automatically applies light brake pressure to help reduce the likelihood or severity of a frontal impact. If the system senses imminent collision, it will now brake forcefully.

In addition to Honda SENSING 360, to meet stringent Euro NCAP crash impact safety standards for Adult Occupant Protection, the CR-V’s body incorporates a number of structural braces to enhance the overall passive safety of the vehicle.

This includes the side frame and upper chassis member designed with multiple load paths to efficiently absorb collision energy away from occupants. In addition, the A-pillar has been designed and reinforced to suppress deformation of the passenger cell.

These structural improvements have been incorporated into the CR-V chassis to conform to the new Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier (MPDB), Advanced European Mobile Deformable Barrier and 32km/h pole crash tests. Due to the increased battery size of the e:PHEV variant, further floor cross members have been added to the chassis to minimize deformation of the floor from side collisions.

In addition to the stronger, more protective chassis, all trim variants of the new CR-V incorporate a total of 11 airbags as standard, including knee airbags for both front occupants to reduce injury during front impacts and side airbags to protect front and rear seat passengers. A front centre airbag features for the first time, which prevents a collision between the driver and front passenger during a side impact.

This level of protection is extended to all occupants, not just adults, as the car also scored well in the Child Occupant Protection category thanks to the integrated ISOFIX mounting points that conform to the latest European i-Size standards.

The Elegance grade CR-V e:HEV, equipped with Honda’s SENSING system, achieved a four-star rating in the new, more stringent NCAP tests.

Consumers are becoming increasingly familiar with new vehicle brands due to the steady influx of cars from China and elsewhere, keen to enter the European market. Names such as BYD, Genesis, ORA, VINFAST, Lucid, and NIO are all establishing reputations that resonate with consumers. One car that is already making news is NIO's EL6. This vehicle is an innovative and premium addition to the electric car stable, with NIO offering battery-swapping technology to decrease range anxiety among consumers. NIO already has a wide range of models accessible in Scandinavia and Germany. NIO’s ES8, ET7, ET5, and EL7 all achieved Euro NCAP’s coveted 5-star rating. NIO EL6 is no different from its siblings, achieving an overall rating of five stars.

A safer vehicle is not only one that considers the protection of those in the car but also those outside of it. Vulnerable road users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists are of increasing focus for carmakers in the quest to decrease the number of fatal and harmful accidents on Europe’s roads. The EL6, like other NIOs, uses a camera, radar, and lidar to sense those around it, to avoid or mitigate accidents. This is cutting-edge, yet pricey, technology that is now employed in only a few vehicles.  The EL6's automated emergency braking (AEB) system performs effectively with respect to collisions against passenger vehicles and is good at protecting against vulnerable road users, but not in oncoming and overtaking motorcyclist scenarios.

The Toyota C-HR created an impact when it was initially on the market in 2016 with its unique and funky look, revitalising Toyota's dependable but slightly uninspiring image. This second-generation model comes equipped with more technology and more space but is priced higher than its predecessor. However, there is little doubt that Toyota continues to prioritise safety, as evidenced by its five-star Euro NCAP rating, the same rating it received in 2017 when the original car was tested.

In terms of technology, the Toyota C-HR's autonomous emergency braking system performed particularly well, earning top marks in almost every test. The standard-fit driver monitoring system is indirect, relying on steering inputs and lane position to detect indicators of drowsy driving. A more sophisticated direct eye monitoring device is available as an option but was not fitted to Euro NCAP's test vehicle.

The Honda CR-V 2.0 Hybrid comes next, with a solid 4-star rating with base equipment and 5 stars when equipped with the optional Honda Sensing 360 package. The base car has a camera and a single radar: the safety pack includes corner radars to improve Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) performance in general, as well as in specific turning scenarios. The optional safety pack significantly enhanced AEB performance, particularly in terms of preventing collisions with pedestrians and vehicles.

The sixth generation of the Honda CR-V debuts later this year with a bolder appearance and class-leading levels of practicality, combined with exceptional connectivity and comfort. The popular C-segment SUV will be available with either a full hybrid (e:HEV) or, for the first time in Europe, a plug-in hybrid (e:PHEV) powertrain, delivering dynamic performance and efficiency across the range – and in the case of the latter, up to 50 miles of all-electric range.

Behind its new design, the latest CR-V is now wider, longer, and taller than the outgoing model – with its 40mm longer wheelbase helping to create more interior space, including 16mm more rear legroom and an 18 per cent increase in luggage capacity.

Greater road presence is offered by a more aggressive front-end, distinguishing e:HEV and e:PHEV variants by their own exclusive grille design. The thin headlights and new signature daytime running lights combine to enhance this visual appeal further, while at the rear, the vertical brake light and turn signal combination is a smart upgrade of the instantly recognisable CR-V taillight design.

In addition, this will be the first European model to feature Honda SENSING 360; an omnidirectional safety and driver assist system which removes blind spots around the vehicle. This contributes to collision avoidance and alleviates driver burden, making it the next step in Honda’s bold ambition to bring traffic collision fatalities involving its automobiles and motorcycles to zero by 2050.

Pricing for full CR-V e:HEV (hybrid) and CR-V e:PHEV (Plug-in hybrid) range is as follows:

• CR-V Elegance (FHEV) - From £45,895.00 OTR or from £539.00 PCP
• CR-V Advance (FHEV) – From £48,995.00 OTR or from £589.00 PCP
• CR-V Advance Tech (PHEV) - From £53,995.00 OTR or from £679.00 PCP

Further pricing, finance and specification details for the CR-V are available here.

The recall will be carried out in a phased manner and has already started from April 17, 2021. The carmaker has released a detailed list of all the models that have been affected, including their production period and the number of units of each model that have been fitted with the faulty fuel pump. Barring the fifth-gen Honda City, the recall has affected every other Honda car in India. The vehicle most affected by this recall is the Honda Amaze with as many as 36,086 units fitted with the faulty fuel pump.

Also Read : No More Spy Pics; Here's The First Official Image Of 11th-Gen Honda Civic

The recall also includes 20,248 units of the fourth-gen Honda City, 7,871 units of the WR-V, 6,235 units of the Jazz hatchback, 5,170 units of the Civic sedan, and 1,737 units of the BR-V. All these vehicles were manufactured between January and October 2019. Additionally, the recall also covers 607 units of the Honda CR-V that were manufactured between January 2019 and September 2020. It must be noted that the Honda CR-V, Civic and BR-V have been discontinued in India.

Vehicles manufactured before or after the above-mentioned time period do not have the suspected fuel pump issue. This recall could actually be a part of a global recall that Honda initiated in March 2021. Earlier last month, Honda had said that they will recall about 761,000 vehicles worldwide to replace fuel pumps that could fail and lead to engine problems. Given the current situation with the pandemic in the country, Honda dealers are operating with limited staff. Customers are advised to visit dealerships with prior appointment to adhere to pandemic protocols.

Honda's authorized dealer partners will be contacting the owners of the affected vehicles individually. The replacement of the part will be carried out free of cost to the customer. Additionally, owners can also check whether their cars are covered under this campaign by entering the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the special microsite which has been created on the company's website.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Honda updates and other four-wheeler news.

The above image portrays the differences that the 2023 Honda CR-V will boast of in contrast to the outgoing model. The front-end gets a larger radiator grille now, which is flanked by sleeker LED headlamps. Typical of new Honda cars, a thick chrome ribbon can be seen on the top of the radiator grille, and it extends towards the headlamps. The front bumper feels more angular, and so is the case with the fog lamp housings.  A slim scuff plate is fixed around the chin, giving it a tighter appeal.

Also read - New Honda Civic Is Out But We’re NOT Excited

Across the sides, the silhouette looks quite the same. The black cladding runs across the length to make the side profile look butch. The ORVMs are now mounted on the doors, as was the case with the test prototypes. Also, the alloy wheels feature a dual-tone theme with a 5-spoke design. Around the rear, it gets a dual-tone bumper with a chrome insert. While the tailgate looks bland, the designer has managed to accommodate a light bar between the slender-looking taillamps.

Dimensionally, the 2023 Honda CR-V will be longer and wider than the outgoing model. It is likely to come with a 3rd-row as well. In the Indian market, the CR-V is on sale with a 3rd-row. Although, that is not the case in the international market. Hence, it will be interesting to see how Honda will project the 3-row CR-V in markets where the bigger Pilot is already on sale. As for now, only assumptions can be made about the 2023 Honda CR-V’s powertrain, since the brand is tight-lipped about the new-gen model. However, it is expected to come with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains only.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Honda updates and other four-wheeler news.

Honda closed operation at their Greater Noida plant as they were not being able to meet the full capacity of the plant. Apart from the Civic and the CR-V being assembled here, Honda also manufactured the City sedan at the Greater Noida plant. The production of the City sedan will now be completely shifted to the Tapukara plant in Rajasthan, and while that could be done, the Civic and the CR-V cannot be assembled there. The Tapukara plant was conceived as an integrated plant with high efficiency to produce small and mid-size cars and it can only manufacture vehicles of a certain size.

Also Read : Honda City vs Volkswagen Vento - Petrol-Manual Acceleration Comparison

The Civic and the CR-V are thus being discontinued because they cannot be produced here in India anymore. Apart from production related issues, it also has to be considered that the Civic and the CR-V were Honda's lowest selling models, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. Honda sold only about 850 units of the Civic and a little over 100 units of the CR-V in the entire of the last six months. In comparison, Honda sells about 4,000 units of the City on an average each month while the Amaze remains their best seller with an average of over 5,000 units a month. Even the WR-V manages over 1,000 units a month while the Jazz manages an average of 700 units.

The Amaze, WR-V and the Jazz were already being produced at Honda's plant in Rajasthan and now the City will join them too. Honda's sales had been rapidly declining over the last few years in India. The decision to close the manufacturing plant in Greater Noida and rationalizing their product line-up are part of Honda’s efforts to improve operating efficiencies and safeguard its future in India. Honda is indeed committed to a long-term presence in the Indian market and their future product investment plans have not been curtailed by this development.

It is however a loss to lose these flagship Honda cars in India, particularly the Civic. It is only because both these models were CKDs and were priced significantly on the premium side, they could not make their presence felt in India. The Honda Civic was already operating in a lonely sedan space but that does not take away the fact that it was an extremely nice car. The lack of a well-packaged, well-priced SUV in Honda's lineup also particularly strikes hard right now.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Honda and Volkswagen updates and other four-wheeler news.

The new Honda CR-V Special Edition comes equipped with stylish LED headlamps that are accompanied by LED DRLs with active cornering lights. The front bumper has also been revised and features LED fog lamps. Honda has incorporated a glossy black front grille, too, for an added sporty stance.

To impart a fresh side look to the CR-V Special Edition, Honda has used a set of new 18-inch alloy wheels. The rear end of the SUV more or less remains unchanged, however, we do see slightly tweaked bumper. Honda has also included the hands-free power tailgate feature in the new CR-V.

On the inside, the Honda CR-V Special Edition features a powered front passenger seat, front parking sensors, and auto-closing wing mirrors. The SUV also comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, ambient lighting, cruise control, and much more.

Under the hood of the new CR-V is the familiar 2.0L i-VTEC petrol engine that is capable of delivering a maximum power of 152 bhp at 6500 rpm and 189 Nm of peak torque at 4300 rpm. For the transmission, Honda provides a CVT unit.

Also Read: Honda Offering Festive Discounts Up To INR 60,000 For BS6 Honda Jazz

In other news, Honda Cars India has also launched the new Amaze Special Edition in the market right before the festive season in the country commences. The latest model is based on the S variant of the subcompact sedan and gets a few added features that freshen up things a bit and make the overall package that much more desirable.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Honda updates and other four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom, Delhi

The new Honda Virtual Showroom is a part of the company’s digital plans to move closer to the buyers. In current times of Covid-19, when digitising as many processes as possible have become a necessity, the Honda Virtual Showroom will allow customers to discover and engage with its entire model range in a seamless digital experience from the comfort of their homes.

The Honda Virtual Showroom can be easily accessed by customers via computers as well as smartphones. People can intuitively browse and explore the design, features, and technical details available for each Honda car on sale. The Virtual Showroom enhances the customers’ field of vision and perspective with its 360-degree view of both the digital space and the product. Bringing the showroom straight to the customers’ homes, it gives them the sense of flexibility and freedom to move around and interact with each and every vehicle the same way they would do at any of Honda’s physical showrooms.

The Honda Virtual Showroom offers a wide array of clickable hotspots and feature explanation videos to give in-depth information about the exterior and interior aspects of the cars. Taking it a step further, it also allows customers to visualise the effects of a headlamp, fog lamp, taillamp and sunroof for an enhanced experience.

Also Read: Honda organises Body & Paint Service Camp for customers in India

The colouriser option to view the cars’ colour from different angles, variant comparison option to understand the best suitable variant as per need, are some of the elements of the Honda Virtual Showroom that add to the convenience of the prospective customers to make their purchase decision.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Honda updates and other four-wheeler news.

Previously, the Mk5 Honda CR-V was available with 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol and 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engines and 5-seat and 7-seat seating layouts. The option for seven seats was limited to the diesel engine variant. The diesel engine variant has been permanently discontinued owing to poor demand. Honda can offer the seven seats in the petrol engine variant but it has chosen not to.

Also exclusive to the diesel engine variant of the CR-V was the AWD system option. Honda does not plan to offer the same in the petrol engine variant even now. Now, the company sells the CR-V in only one configuration - 2.0-litre i-VTEC CVT FWD 5-seat.

The aforementioned 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol engine is an SOHC naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit. It produces 154 PS of maximum power and 189 Nm of maximum torque. These are terrible numbers for what the Honda CR-V costs in India - INR 28 lakh* (INR 28,27,001*). Much smaller SUVs, costing more than INR 10 lakh* lesser, sport more potent engines.

The Jeep Compass’ 1.4-litre MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine develops 162 PS and 250 Nm of torque. The starting price is INR 16.49 lakh* (INR 16,49,000*). The Nissan Kicks’ 1.3-litre DDT turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine generates 156 PS and 254 Nm of torque. The starting price is INR 11.85 lakh (INR 11,84,990*). Should diesel engine be your preference, other cheaper SUVs offer even more powerful and torquier engines.

Honda will likely replace the old CR-V with the facelifted CR-V at the end of the year. The company had introduced it in September last year. India gets the old CR-V from Thailand, and the same is likely going to be the case for the new CR-V. Thailand has already switched to the new model.

Also Read: Top-end 2020 Honda City features revealed via leaked brochure

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Honda updates and other four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom Delhi

[Source: autocarindia.com]

All Honda car owners are eligible for this program if their vehicle is not older than 10 years and the odometer reading is below 1,20,000 km. Honda customers with expired standard and extended warranties are also eligible for the ‘Anytime Warranty' plan, hence the name.

Honda Cars India's entire line-up (City, Amaze, Civic, Jazz, WR-V, BR-V, CR-V, Brio and Accord Hybrid, along with discontinued Mobilio) is eligible to be covered under this plan. Interested customers can visit the nearest Honda authorised dealership to avail this special warranty scheme. Also, the same is transferable in the name of the new owner, in case the vehicle is sold in future.

Also Read: 2020 Honda City with full-LED headlamps spied in India

The cost of the 'Anytime Warranty'plan varies from model to model, powertrain, age of the vehicle, the status of the current/expired warranty plan and service records. For example, Honda quotes a price of INR 8,739 for providing a sixth-year coverage of the City petrol which is currently covered under its standard/extended warranty period. The amount hikes up to INR 14,619 for the same model for its tenth-year coverage. On the other hand, a City diesel is covered for INR 11,548 and INR 19,320, respectively. Needless to say, the cost is higher if the vehicle’s standard/extended warranty is under an expired state. For the record, Honda has so far offered a standard 3 years/unlimited km warranty on all its models along with an extendable 5-year coverage (optional).

In terms of looks, the facelifted Honda CR-V is barely any different from the pre-facelift model. The facelifted model features a more pronounced chrome grille, repositioned front fog lamps, revised bumpers, new alloy wheels in 18-inch and 19-inch sizes, tweaked tail lights with a dark tint, darkened chrome garnish below the back glass, which is more darkly tinted, and new chrome exhaust finishers. Specific to the Hybrid variant is a new, blue Honda logo at the front. All in all, it would be hard to tell the new model from the old one if not looking at minute details.

The interior has remained mostly unchanged, even more than the exterior. The biggest change here is the adoption of a push-button gear selector that gives a cleaner look to the centre console. Also, the centre console bin is a redesigned one. It's easier to use and offers more flexible storage options. The instrument panel, steering wheel, dashboard, AC vents and the infotainment system are in the same design as on the old model. The engine and transmission options have remained unchanged post the mid-life update. Honda mentions no changes for enhanced performance and driving dynamics either.

Also Read: Next-gen 2020 Honda City rear-quarter - IAB Rendering

The current Honda CR-V's prices range from INR 28.27 to 32.77 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The facelifted Honda CR-V will pack upgraded, BS-VI engines, and so, it will be pricier. Production in Asia is yet to commence and one can expect the launch in India to take place in the second half of 2020.

Honda has been selling a number of twin models in China under two joint ventures, namely GAC-Honda and Dongfeng-Honda. While the original Honda CR-V is sold by Dongfeng Honda, the Honda Breeze will be sold by Guangzhou Honda.

The Honda Breeze has more stylish front and rear fascias, but its interior is likely to be almost identical. At the front, it incorporates the latest iteration of the brand's design language, apparently with inspiration from the tenth-gen Honda Accord. With a large chrome bar on the front grille that mates with the “jewel eye” highlight assembly, it's clearly evident that the twin model is gunning a more upmarket look. At the rear, there are sleeker tail lamps that don't seem to be much of an upgrade over those of the donor model.

The Honda Breeze measures 4,634 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width, 1,679 mm/1,689 mm in height depending upon the configuration selected and has a wheelbase of 2,661 mm. While the rest of the dimensions remain identical, the length is 38 mm than the Honda CR-V’s 4,596 mm, and that's possibly due to the use of different bumpers.

The Honnda Breeze will be powered by the L15BT 1.5L VTEC Turbo turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which will deliver a maximum power of 142 kW (193 PS). It is safe to assume that the engine will be paired with a CVT. An AWD system will be available. The top speed, depending on the configuration selected, will be 190 km/h, 193 km/h or 208 km/h. At least two wheel alloy wheel options will be there, 17-inch and 19-inch.

Also Read: Next-gen Honda City Hybrid could be a full-hybrid model in India as well

The Honda Breeze will likely be launched in China in late-2019.

10 Unique car features you may have not heard of

2014 Honda Odyssey - HondaVAC built-in vacuum cleaner

Tidying up a car interior isn't the easiest of the jobs. Unluckily, however, kids and friends who often eat in the car tend to drop bits and pieces of food, which can ultimately invite pests and rodents. To make the rather Herculean task of cleaning the interior a wee bit easier, the US-spec 2018 Honda Odyssey came equipped with the HondaVAC vacuum cleaner to make the life of the owners a lot easier. The mini vacuum cleaner was placed in the cargo area of the Odyssey and was powered by the car.

1999 TVR Tuscan - Door 'handle' under ORVM

In case you like the rear door handles of the new Maruti Swift and the Chevrolet Beat, you'll totally love the unique and creative door buttons of the TVR Tuscan. The designers of the 1999 Tuscan had placed the door buttons under the outside rearview mirrors. This was done in the interest of a clean and sleek side profile without a conventional door handle spoiling the flow of the lines.

Also Read - 10 Things Every Car Owner Should Know

BMW - Old glovebox torchlight

We often drop things in the car and have a tough time finding the object in the darkness. In such scenarios, even the cabin lights aren't of much use as their throw is limited and doesn't penetrate into the floor space and the low-lying crevices. This is precisely where a torch light comes handy. BMW realised this back in the 1990s when no mobile phones came with the torch function. Hence, they provided a sleek torch that was housed in the glove box of models like the E36 3-Series. The device used to stay charged by drawing power from the battery and could be just taken out of its housing when the need arose.

Rolls Royce Wraith - GPS-based Transmission

The 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith coupe is equipped with a GPS-guided transmission that ensures a smooth ride. The coupe's 8-speed automatic transmission is linked to a GPS receiver. Using constant inputs from a satellite, the electronics determine the condition of the tarmac ahead and use the data to anticipate a gearshift. As per the carmaker, the Satellite Aided Transmission allows the car to “see into the future."

Also Read - 9 Things you should never do when driving with kids

Volkswagen Beetle - Bud Vase

The Volkswagen Beetle has been one of the most iconic and cutesy cars around. Several models of the original VW Beetle and even the second generation Beetle featured an aircon vent-mounted flower vase. The simple arrangement allowed the user to carry a flower when driving around. Some drivers also used it to store pens and knick-knacks.

1997 Honda CR-V - Rear-mounted shower

While most of you would argue that the SUVs have got a lot tamer and 'softer' in the current times, there's simply no denying that they've even become a lot more practical for urban usage. The roots of the SUVs can be traced back to the times when the rugged and highly-capable vehicles were frequently used off the road. They were preferred by the adventurous lot, who would use these vehicles for their cross-country trips and jungle safaris, among others. While the Honda CR-V is often heralded as the world's first 'soft-roader', the first-gen SUV came with many features that made it a practical vehicle for venturing far away from home. One such feature was the optional powered shower attachment that comprised a water jug, hose, showerhead and a 12-volt pump that was powered by the car.

Also Read - 10 Useless accessories SUV owners can safely stay away from

2012 Fiat 500L - Espresso machine

The Fiat 500L ensures that you don't need to step out of the car to grab a cup of coffee. Buyers of the 500L can opt for a coffee maker that sits snugly in the cup holder between the front seats. The Lavazza 500 Espresso Machine can help the driver save some time by avoiding a detour to the coffee shop.

2009 MINI Convertible - Openometer

The 2000 MINI Convertible came with an 'Openometer', which is a gauge mounted near the tachometer to tell you the time he has driven with the car's top down. In most probability, it was provided to encourage the drivers to experience open top motoring as much as possible.

Also Read - 12 BAD habits that the average Indian driver is guilty of

1984 Toyota Van - Icemaker

The 1984 Toyota Van not only helped you keep the beverages cold on a lengthy road trip but also provided cubes of ice to make your drinks even colder. The ice maker was located near the dashboard and was chilled by the air-conditioner refrigerant lines. While we wonder how long it took the icemaker to be ready with the cubes, it's really a fantastic feature on long trips.

Nissan Cube - Shag dash topper

The Nissan Cube was available with a $255 Interior Designer Kit that came with a 'shag dash topper', which, like the VW Beetle's bud vase, is used for dashboard ornamentation. The only issue with it was that it didn't serve any function. No one seemed to really know what the quirky accessory was for.

Image sources - 3, 5, 6, 9

The Honda CR-V Mugen concept sports a two-tone (body colour and silver) front under spoiler, unique front grille garnish with Mugen emblem, body-coloured side garnishes, Mugen decals, rear under spoiler, Mugen emblem on the tailgate emblem and a three-part tailgate spoiler. The alloy wheels are the same 18-inch ones available in the standard variant. The show car is painted in the Passion Red Pearl shade that was introduced in Malaysia with the new Honda HR-V RS in July this year.

The Honda CR-V Mugen concept is only visually different. Under the hood is the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo petrol engine that is deemed too expensive for India. This turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 193 PS at 5,600 rpm and 243 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. It is married to a CVT as standard.

The Honda CR-V Mugen is already available outside Malaysia, in Japan. Customers can buy the standard SUV and equip it with the accessories mentioned above by purchasing them directly from Mugen. It is worth noting that the Mugen accessories available for the fifth-gen model there include even 19-inch MDR alloy wheels.

Also Read: India-bound 2019 Honda Civic & Civic Modulo at Thai Motor Expo - Live

Honda launched the fifth-gen CR-V in India just last month, but it doesn’t sell Mugen products here. So, the model in the images is unlikely to reach the showrooms here.

[Source: AutoBuzz.my]

The 2019 Honda CR-V is available in a total of three variants - Petrol 2WD, Diesel 2WD & Diesel 4WD. The Honda CR-V has been the best-selling SUV from Honda, with over 9.9 million units sold globally. The SUV is available in two engine options - 2.0-litre iVTEC petrol and 1.6-litre iDTEC diesel. The petrol motor produces a maximum power of 154 PS at 6,500 rpm along with a peak torque of 189 Nm at 4,300 rpm. It comes mated to a CVT gearbox and is available with the 2WD drivetrain only. The petrol engine has an ARAI-tested fuel efficiency of 14.4 km/l.

On the other hand, the 1.6-litre iDTEC, four-cylinder oil-burner is capable of churning out a maximum power of 120 PS at 4,000 rpm while developing a peak torque of 300 Nm at 2,000 rpm. It comes paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The diesel variant is on sale in 2WD and AWD formats. These have an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 19.5 km/l and 18.3 km/l respectively. The diesel version of the fifth generation Honda CR-V can be ordered in a 7-seat configuration.

With an average monthly sales figure of fewer than 19 units (March 2018 - August 2018), the last generation CR-V couldn't impress Indians. The new, however, should garner a better response from the SUV buyers owing to its diesel engine and a more spacious cabin with an optional 7-seat configuration. The new model becomes a direct rival to the VW Tiguan and the Skoda Kodiaq.

Also Read: India-bound 2019 Honda Civic new pics & details released

New Honda CR-V - Prices

• Petrol 2WD - INR 28.15 lakhs*
• Diesel 2WD - INR 30.65 lakhs*
• Diesel AWD - INR 32.75 lakhs*

*All prices are ex-showroom, pan-India

Honda Cars Discounts

The discounts on Honda cars will be valid until 7 November 2018. The offers include a cash discount, free insurance, and exchange bonus. Other than this, the company is running a contest that will give lucky buyers a free trip to London/Paris.

Honda Brio

The entry-level model in the company's line-up is available with first-year insurance, worth INR 25,000, at a nominal price of Re 1. Thanks to this, the effective starting price of the small car comes down to roughly INR 5.00 lakh.* With an average monthly sales figure of 229 units **, the Brio is among the least popular models in its segment. We feel that the company needs to offer more substantial discounts to boost the demand for its most affordable model.

Honda Jazz

The Maruti Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20 rival from Honda Cars is available with an exchange bonus of INR 20,000. Additionally, the first-year insurance is being offered at a 50% discount. Furthermore, there's a corporate discount of INR 15,000. This takes the total benefits to approximately INR 50,000, bringing the effective starting price of the B2-segment hatchback to INR 7.75 lakh*.

With an average monthly sales of 1511 units, the Jazz is comprehensively outsold by the Maruti Baleno (18,264 units)**. The latest discount offers should help the company boost the demand of its premium hatchback.

Honda WR-V

With average monthly sales of 3,052 units**, the Jazz-based crossover is twice as popular as its hatchback sibling. Currently, the WR-V is on sale with benefits worth more than INR 50,000. Buyers can benefit from an exchange bonus worth INR 20,000 on selling their old car to Honda Auto Terrace.

Furthermore, they get free first-year insurance worth more than INR 30,000. This brings down the effecting starting price to INR 8.16 lakh*.

Honda City

With an average monthly sales of 3,531 units**, the Honda City has been among the most successful models from the company. The C2-segment sedan is currently available with discounts worth INR 65,000. This brings the effective starting price to INR 9.07 lakh*. The discount offers include free first-year insurance worth almost INR 35,000 and a cash discount of INR 30,000.

Honda BR-V

The slow-selling Honda BR-V (average monthly sales of 616 units**) is available with a massive discount of INR 1 lakh. This brings down the effective starting price to INR 9.53 lakh*. The benefits comprise of INR 16,000 worth of free accessories, INR 50,000 exchange bonus, and free first-year insurance worth INR 34,000.

Honda CR-V

Honda Cars India will launch the fifth generation CR-V on 9 October. Ahead of the launch of the new model, the company is offering a cash discount of INR 1.5 lakh on the existing version. The current generation Honda CR-V has a monthly sales average of just 19 units**. The next-gen model, thanks to an extra row of seats and a diesel engine option, should sell in higher numbers than the current iteration.

*on-road price, Delhi

** March 2018 to April 2018

Honda Cars India will launch the fifth generation of the CR-V next month. With over 9.9 million units sold worldwide, arguably the world's most favourite SUV is a force to reckon with. Its sales performance in India, however, has been far from glorious. With only 17,600 units sold over the last three generations, the Honda CR-V needs a shot in the arm. Well, the 2018 Honda CR-V could be just what the doctor ordered.

As per the manufacturer, 90% of all premium SUV and crossover buyers opt for Diesel power. Moreover, for most buyers, a seven-seat layout is a pre-requisite. No surprise, then, that the carmaker has finally added an oil-burner to the list of engine options. Oh yes, there’s a third row of seats, too. Our 2018 Honda CR-V test drive review sums up all there's to know about the new model.

Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary

Honda’s latest design language defines the aesthetics of the new model. Still, it’s tough to mistake this crossover for anything but a CR-V. That said, the mk5 CR-V looks fresher and a tad bolder than its predecessor. The full-LED lighting fixtures make the car look contemporary while the neat creases on the well-sculptured hood impart a touch of boldness.

The side profile has the strongest connection with the last generation. A softer shoulder line and the longer wheelbase helps you differentiate the two iterations. The stylists have been quite generous with the usage of chrome. Most, however, would find it tasteful. The rear-end is a radical departure from the earlier version. The L-shaped all-LED tail lamps lend a touch of sophistication to the new CR-V’s posterior.

Practical and Feature-laden

Akin to the exterior, every bit of the interior is fresh. There's ample usage of soft-touch plastics and high-quality faux wood inserts. A 7-inch infotainment unit takes centre stage on the dashboard. The touchscreen interface is very responsive, with the large font size further making it very intuitive to use. Our only grouse is with the size of the screen. A slightly bigger display could have enhanced the entire user experience. The horizontally calibrated tachometer of the all-digital instrument panel is a neat retro touch, while the temperature- and the fuel-gauge seem to have come straight from the Star Trek-franchisee.

The front seats are supremely comfortable. The driver’s seat is electrically adjustable while the passenger seat makes do with manual controls. The middle-row seat, however, is a mixed bag. The legroom is quite generous but anyone taller than 5’10’’ would desire extra headroom. This is an issue with the diesel variant only, mind you. The positioning of the air vents for the third row is such that even the slightly tall passengers would invariably hit their head on the roof. The petrol variant, which will be available in a 5-seat configuration only, provides ample headroom for the passengers in the back seat.

The yet-to-launch fifth-gen CR-V has already made much news for the third row of seats. Getting into and out of these seats takes some athletic ability as the entire process of folding the middle-row seat and flipping it out of the way is a somewhat tedious process. Furthermore, the legroom in the third row of seats is conspicuous by its absence.

With all the rows of seats in place, the diesel variant provides only 150-litres of boot space. This can be boosted to 472-litres by folding the third row and to 936-litres by folding the second as well. The petrol model offers 522-litres of boot capacity, which can be enhanced to 1084-litres by folding the second row.

The fifth-gen Honda CR-V has scored a 5-star rating in the ASEAN NCAP test. Safety equipment on offer includes 6-airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts, Traction control, Brake assist, Hill-start assist, Driver Attention Monitor and LaneWatch.

Refined and Frugal

The 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine offers a maximum power of 120 PS @ 4,000 rpm and a peak torque of 300 Nm @ 2,000 rpm, which makes it significantly less powerful than most of the rivals. High performance isn't the CR-V diesel's forte, but you'll be impressed with the refinement on offer. The lack of outright power is never felt during intercity usage or highway cruise. Much of this is owing to the ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic transmission. The short initial ratios lead to a brisk acceleration, while the taller higher ratios help the CR-V become a comfortable mile-muncher.

The lack of outright power becomes apparent only when planning quick high-speed overtaking manoeuvres. For the most part, the drivers are likely to appreciate the smoothness on offer and the minimal turbo lag. The Honda CR-V diesel has an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 19.5 kmpl and 18.3 kmpl for the 2WD and 4WD variants respectively.

The 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol engine outputs a maximum power of 154 PS @ 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 189 Nm @ 4,300 rpm. The engine comes mated to a CVT, whose rubber-band effect plays spoilsport if you go hard on the throttle. Moreover, flooring the accelerator is accompanied by the additional noise from the pullies of the CVT. While the diesel variant is available in 2WD and AWD configurations, the petrol version is available in a 2WD format only. It boasts an ARAI-tested fuel efficiency of 14.4 kmpl.

Comfortable and Predictable

The new Honda CR-V offers an excellent ride quality. It glides over most of the undulations, and the high-speed stability is remarkable, too. The sufficiently luxurious cabin and the decent ride quality make the CR-V an excellent highway cruiser. The handling, while predictable, isn't as sporty as that of some of the German rivals. The steering isn't utterly devoid of weight but offers little feedback. The body-roll is well contained though. The 2018 Honda CR-V gets powerful disc brakes on all four wheels.

Epilogue

The 2018 Honda CR-V is a remarkable improvement over the earlier iteration. It looks more modern, feels more luxurious, and is a lot safer. More importantly, it gets the much-required diesel engine option, which brings us back to our question - Does the new model finally have all the bases covered? Mostly, yes.

An impractical third row of seats notwithstanding, there's little that we can hold against the new offering. Sure, a more communicative steering and a punchier diesel motor would have made this the perfect recipe, but for most families, the high fuel efficiency, along with a plush cabin, would work just fine. So then, the 2018 Honda CR-V comes across as a balanced equation.