Why Honda CR-V was chosen as Car of the Year 2023

Honda CR-V is the winner of the highest category - Car of the Year 2023 at the Car Awards 2023 byVnExpressThe organization, evaluated by a panel of experts in the industry, scored 17 points, while the VinFast VF 6 followed closely behind with 16 points, and the Mercedes GLC came in third with 8 points.

With detailed scores when evaluating each model separately, CR-V also excels with a score of 331.3, far surpassing the model behind, Peugeot 408, with 309.2 points. So what made CR-V highly appreciated by the Expert Council?

The criteria for selecting Car of the Year are the product's superiority in the segment, the level of updating trends, suggesting needs and finally the customer's accessibility to that car model.

Most experts agree that the new generation CR-V with hybrid version is a great improvement of this car line, helping the car operate more powerfully while still being economical. Besides, the new version also improves some problems of the old version, especially the soundproofing ability.

Journalist Pham Thuy, who has 20 years of experience following the car industry, the only female judge on the panel of experts, said: "It is a CR-V that for the first time has all the options of one-wheel drive and two-wheel drive, turbocharged gasoline and hybrid. The manufacturer has listened to consumer complaints about noise and suspension to improve, while still being "conservative" with a durable and economical engine that is enough to use as well as a full safety technology package that is standard on all versions."

Ms. Thuy also said that the fact that CR-V surpassed VF 6 with only 1 point is a result that proves that VinFast's products are also highly appreciated. However, to become the car of the year in the whole market is not enough. VF 6 will need more time to prove its reliability, stability and convenience to the majority of users.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Manh Thang, director of Whatcar VN, who has decades of experience evaluating cars, also believes that the CR-V is the car with the most impressive performance in its segment, advanced driving assistance technology and highly rated service quality.

In 2023, 5,758 CR-Vs were delivered to customers. The CR-V has the advantage of 7 seats, many safety technologies, and targets family customers. In particular, with the 2023 update, in addition to the new design, the CR-V has an AWD and hybrid version for the first time. The gasoline versions are still assembled in Vietnam, 5+2 configuration, the hybrid version is imported from Thailand, 5-seat configuration.

In terms of exterior, the new generation CR-V has a more elegant design than the previous generation. Changes include a hexagonal grille, smart adaptive LED lights, integrated LED daytime running lights and a seamless design with the grille, and new taillights. The 2024 CR-V is 68 mm longer, 11 mm wider, 10 mm taller, and has a 40 mm longer wheelbase than the previous generation.

The interior of the 2024 CR-V is inherited from its new generation Civic sibling. The car is equipped with a 10.2-inch digital screen behind the steering wheel, while the 2 low versions G and L are equipped with a 7-inch TFT screen. The 9-inch entertainment touch screen is on the 3 high versions and the 7-inch screen on the G version, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 2-zone automatic air conditioning system, air vents for the rear seats. The front seats are electrically adjustable, the driver's seat has additional memory. The hybrid and AWD versions are equipped with a panoramic sunroof.

The new generation CR-V has two engine options, including a 1.5 turbocharged gasoline engine similar to the previous generation and an e:HEV 2.0 hybrid. The 1.5 turbocharged gasoline engine has a capacity of 188 horsepower, maximum torque of 240 Nm, CVT gearbox, optional one-wheel or two-wheel drive. The 2.0 Hybrid i-MMD gasoline version includes a 2.0 gasoline engine (146 horsepower, torque of 183 Nm) combined with two electric motors (capacity of 181 horsepower, torque of 335 Nm). Both combine for a total capacity of 204 horsepower. The electric motor is fed by a lithium-ion battery. e-CVT gearbox, FWD single-wheel drive.

Safety technologies on the new generation CR-V include automatic headlights, front vehicle departure warning, automatic collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, cross-traffic warning when reversing, LaneWatch blind spot camera, adaptive cruise control, 360 camera, front/rear sensors, blind spot warning, tire pressure warning, drowsiness warning.