Honda launches 2012 CR-V in the Middle East

All-new family SUV now on sale
By Shahzad Sheikh

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

Just got back from the UAE reveal of the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V, which has just gone on sale across the region – we’ve got prices and specs.

This is the fourth generation of the hugely popular compact SUV – over 5 million have been sold across the globe since the CR-V was introduced in 1996. The five-seater, all-wheel drive CR-V is available in three trim levels: LX, EX and EX with leather. Prices range from AED99,000 to AED119,000 ($26,900-32,350).

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

There is only one engine on offer – a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder unit producing 188bhp at 7000rpm (a 20bhp increase over the outgoing model) and max torque is 163lb ft at 4400rpm. This should give it a top speed of 199kph and a 0-100kph time of 10.5 seconds. Fuel consumption should be good at around 11L/100km. The CR-V comes with an ECON button that enhances economy.

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

It’s certainly a better-looking car than its predecessor, but that’s not hard as the old CR-V looked as if someone had punched its nose in. Honda reckons the new look is more aggressive and aerodynamic. It’s possibly a tad more masculine, but still very much an inoffensive family hold-all.

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

The grille is imposing, and the front guard seems a little too overtly slanted for a ‘soft-roader’, it’s as if this is meant for serious rock-crawling or dune-bashing – which it is not. 17-inch wheels are standard, and the 18s are fitted to the EX models.

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

It gets a new real-time all-wheel drive function, which still biases all the drive to the front wheel under cruising loads, but adds torque to the rear as required, reacting faster than before, and when starting off, for smarter getaways. There’s a five speed automatic and the steering (along with the throttle) is electric.

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

Inside, they’ve lowered the seating position for a more car-like feel, but it’s said to actually offer slightly more interior room. LX gets cloth seats, EX receives suede-style fabric, and EX-Leather gets… er… well leather.

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

Bluetooth phone connection is standard on EX. There’s three cupholders front and centre with a 10.8-litre central cubby box. Rear luggage space has increase and the rear seats are now fast-folding 60/40 split. Head, leg and shoulder room is good both front and rear even for my six-foot frame.

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

There’s also pedestrian safety, traction and stability systems, brake assist, ABS and EBD, airbags including side airbags and curtain airbags for EX-Leather, hill-start assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors.

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

Cruise control is standard on EX models, as is steering-wheel mounted remote buttons, enhanced information display, rear view camera, dual zone A/C, a six speaker sound system (only 4 for the LX), USB and AUX jacks (but no Bluetooth audio streaming), auto dimming rear view mirror, 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat.

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

2012 Honda CR-V Middle East Debut, Dubai, UAE

We recommend you go for one of the EX models. Colours? Well the interior only comes in Beige, but for the outside you get a choice of seven colours including Silver metallic, Meta metallic, Black Pearl, Red Pearl, Blue metallic, White pearl and Titanium metallic

The Concept version first shown, still looks more meatier though...

The Concept version first shown, still looks more meatier though...

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