Honda CR-V Wins 2017 AutoGuide.com Utility Vehicle of the Year Award
The Honda CR-V has been named 2017 AutoGuide.com Utility Vehicle of the Year, joining the Ford Focus RS and Ford F-150 Raptor to round out the outlet’s top choices for 2017.
Choosing a Utility Vehicle of the Year winner is consistently challenging and this year was no different, with plenty of strong contenders to choose from. The CR-V was pitted against the Kia Sportage, Jaguar F-Pace, GMC Acadia and Audi Q7 in the fight for AutoGuide.com’s Utility of the Year honors, making this year’s competition no walk — or drive — in the park. But after the dust settled it was the CR-V that impressed the most during evaluations, with its combination of interior space and in-demand features providing plenty of reasons to like it.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
“The Honda CR-V was a pioneer of the crossover movement, and it’s only gotten better with time,” said AutoGuide.com Group Editorial Director Jonathan Yarkony. “While the competition has become fierce, especially in the compact crossover segment, the CR-V stays ahead of the pack with its blend of practicality, value and ease of use, which earn it this year’s 2017 AutoGuide.com Utility Vehicle of the Year award.”
AutoGuide.com’s team of automotive experts put the contenders through their paces in the rain, snow and dirt, in both urban and rural settings. And while others excelled at certain components of the testing regimen, the CR-V proved to be a well-rounded package that has been improved on all fronts to stay atop this increasingly competitive heap.
The all-new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine makes 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, which isn’t enough to impress, but it manages to make the most of every drop of fuel. With its standard continuously variable transmission and revised independent suspension, the CR-V drives smoothly, with plenty of legroom in the second row and 39.2 cu-ft (1,110 liters) of cargo space. When it comes to technology, the CR-V boasts available adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a standard backup camera.
“Congratulations to Honda,” said Yarkony. “The CR-V is exactly what it needs to be for busy families and active lifestyles. Not only is it an excellent value and impressively efficient, but it makes life a little easier with the latest technology, convenience features and spacious interior.”
The AutoGuide.com Utility Vehicle of the Year is the third and final award of the year from the outlet, joining both Car of the Year and Truck of the Year honors. Those awards were captured this year by the Ford Focus RS and Ford F-150 Raptor, respectively.
Dan is AutoGuide.com's Road Test Editor, a long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan, and a car guy since childhood. He enjoys long walks on the beach and long drives just about anywhere the road, track or trail will take him. You'll see him driving around evaluating cars and in front of a camera talking about them. Dan is a member of the World Car of the Year jury.
More by Dan Ilika
Comments
Join the conversation
Shopping for a small SUV included driving cars that could be had for under $30K. I ended up with a CRV EX-L. I wanted an EX but my dealer didn't have one in a color that I wanted. Ended up with a Deep Olive Metallic paint with black leather interior and several upgrades from the EX. Cost was $28K after the usual back and forth and foot shuffle on the sales floor. The clincher was the test drive and the listed features. Great car, and being 74, probably the last vehicle I will have to buy. Good job Honda. Real world fuel mileage is in the 28 MPG range with a mix of highway and city driving after 1000 miles. I am very picky about cars and thus far, I can find nothing to really complain about.
Got a chance to ride in the new CR-V...It is a POS. Not sure what anyone saw in this but I rode in a Jeep Cherokee and it was better than the CR-V which looks plain and blah...Don't confuse the word picky with CHEAP. The CR-V is far from an CUTE and is evokes cheapness more than quality. I disliked the ride, quality, and feel that I was happy when the ride was over. I have never been in a CAR that was so blah, noisy, and cheap feeling ever. Not sure how many hondas the writer owned but shame on you for saying this is the SUV of the year...You need to get around more kid... By the way we laughed when the owner of the CR-V told us the price...This is 3 adults laughing at another adult...Think about it..$30k for a Honda CUTE. LOL!!! That is funny.