Honda adds Plus+ to CR-V range
BY TIM NICHOLSON | 8th Jul 2014
Two versions of the Plus+ will be offered for a limited time, with a two-wheel drive variant priced from $30,790 and an all-wheel drive starting at $33,790, excluding on-road costs.
Stepping up to the Plus+ bumps the price of the 2WD VTi auto with metallic paint up by $425, which normally retails for $30,365, and the same premium is added to the 4WD version, which is priced at $33,365, plus on-roads.
The Plus+ is based on the entry-level VTi variant and adds a number of features to the standard equipment list, including fog-lights, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Further enhancements include Plus+ badging as well as metallic paint, which usually adds an extra $575 to the price of a CR-V.
The extra equipment is added on top of the already standard cruise control, air conditioning, roof rails, power windows, remote central locking and Bluetooth connectivity.
The CR-V Plus+ is offered in front-wheel drive, powered by Honda's 114kW/190Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit, while the all-wheel drive option features a beefier 140kW/222Nm 2.4-litre engine.
Both versions have the company's five-speed automatic transmission as standard with no manual gearbox option.
Sales of the CR-V have fallen this year, with the fourth-generation soft-roader shifting 5037 units for the first six months of 2014, which is a 32.5 per cent drop over the same period last year, when it has sold 7462.
The CR-V is the fifth best-selling compact SUV on the local market this year, behind the segment-leading Mazda CX-5 (11,006), the Toyota RAV4 (9327), Subaru Forester (6828) and Nissan's recently updated X-Trail (6442).
In June, Honda enjoyed its best month of CR-V sales all year, with 1199 units sold. It also marked the best month of sales for the Thai-built SUV since June 2013 when it sold 1579 units.
Earlier this year, Honda launched a $38,290 diesel-powered version of the CR-V, sourced from the Japanese car-maker's United Kingdom plant.
Early next year, Honda will boost its SUV line-up with the return of the HR-V moniker on its Jazz-based sub-compact crossover.
The re-born HR-V will do battle in the burgeoning light-SUV segment with the Holden Trax, Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport, Peugeot 2008 and the Renault Captur, which is scheduled to arrive in September.
| Honda CR-V Plus+ pricing* | |
| 2WD VTi Plus (a) | $30,790 |
| 4WD VTi Plus (a) | $33,790 |
