Updated: More powerful 2010 Honda CR-V

Honda has announced some power and feature upgrades to the best-selling Honda CR-V for the 2010 model year. Most notable is a 14-hp increase to 180-hp. Along with more power, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine also boasts an increase in EPA-estimated fuel economy by one mpg in both city and highway driving, which becomes an estimated 21/27/23 for city/highway/overall for the EX AWD model. In our tests of the previous version, we measured 15/29/21. We also found the CR-V only had adequate acceleration, but the new increase in horsepower could help.

Besides the changes under the hood, the front grille gets a facelift with a single horizontal cross bar instead of the double trim accent from the previous design. The front fascia now has more paint color instead of the black lower valence and the hood now is flush into the grille, instead of wrapping down and around.

Other detail changes include a new interior door handle design with a rubberized grip and the front seat center arm rests increases in width by one inch. Ten-spoke alloy wheels, standard on the EX and EX-L, replace the seven-spoke design. Bluetooth connectivity will now be available on models equipped with the navigation package and automatic on/off headlights will be standard on the EX-L line.

Retail prices will range from $21,545 for the base 2WD LX to $29,745 for the top of the line EX-L AWD with navigation system. A $710 destination charge will be added. The 2010 CR-V will hit dealerships in the coming weeks.

The CR-V is one of the top-scoring small SUVs Consumer Reports has tested. For more on our Ratings, reliability, fuel economy, safety and more, see our Honda CR-V model overview.

—Liza Barth

Comments

[Titan Vancouver, WA]

Just had 10 new 2010 CR-V's hit my lot in Vancouver, WA yesterday.

A lot more fun to drive with the extra HP and even classier looking than previous years.

Still the best small SUV available to date.

[Graham McIntyre]

Has the 2010 Honda CRV AWD. been corrected for unusual TIRE WEAR! My 2007( Purchased New) equipped with BridgeStone tires rotated every 5000K miles alignment checked frequently by local Honda dealer, wore out at 16000 miles, next set Goodyear Integrity tires, rotated every 3000miles wore out again at another 16000 miles, you better get that corrected before I purchase another Honda CRV.

[jim]

I'm also an unhappy CR-V owner 2008. Will never buy another Honda product

[Dean Draper]

Just traded a 2002 CRV AWD EX with 137000 miles for a new 2010 CRV FWD EXL. My old car developed one small rattle and only had one issue, AC, during the time I had it. I have never owned a car that was so carefully designed and assembled. My old car ran fine, I just cannot get over the idea of having a car with so many miles.

I put 80k tires on and they lasted for over 80k, tires were not a problem for me.