6.8

LoreStyling: 8/10 The CR-V’s overall shape is the same as before, but it’s slightly longer and wider, and its windshield pillars have been moved back for better visibility. Styling changes include a new grille, LED headlights, and a hybrid-specific fascia and black 19-inch wheels, although it still blends into the scenery rather than stand out. The cabin design has undergone considerable changes, with a tablet-style centre touchscreen instead of one integrated into the centre stack; an attractive mesh insert that conceals the dash air vents; and the gear selector has been relocated farther down in the console. Safety: 9.5/10 The redesigned CR-V hadn’t yet been crash-tested by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the time of this writing, but it achieves the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). That includes the highest “Good” score in the updated side crash test, which better simulates being struck by a large SUV, and which many models are having trouble acing. All CR-V trims include such driver-assist technologies as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, emergency front braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and the back-up camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles; but this one’s multi-angle and includes guiding lines that show where the vehicle is headed. Meanwhile, the hybrid further adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, as well as front and rear parking sensors. Features: 9/10 The Touring is well equipped, as you’d expect for the top trim, with the LED headlights, seven-inch customizable digital instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats that are standard across the lineup. This one further includes rain-sensing wipers, acoustically insulated glass, an auto-dimming mirror, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and a wireless phone charger. The seven-inch centre touchscreen on lower trims is upgraded to nine inches in the Touring, and includes an upgraded stereo and embedded navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired on lower trims. The Touring can be wireless but it seems to depend on the phone, as my older phone wouldn’t connect without a cord.