2017 Honda CR-V: Monthly Update for December 2017
by Mike Schmidt, Senior Manager, Vehicle Testing Operations
Where Did We Drive It?
Our 2017 Honda CR-V spent December running about town. When we weren’t using the Honda as a single-occupant daily commuter, we leaned on it to fill the role of the family shuttle. It didn’t venture all that far from home, resulting in lower-than-average mileage accumulation this month. Still, we spent enough time with the car in the settings for which it was designed to generate new, and mostly positive, impressions.
What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get?
We aim for 1,700 miles each month, but the lack of any long-distance drives relegated us to just 1,100 miles. As expected, this wasn’t enough to move any of our lifetime fuel economy records very far. In fact, our average increased by just one-tenth to 27.5 mpg. That marked the only change.
Average lifetime mpg: 27.5
EPA mpg rating: 30 combined (28 city/34 highway)
Best fill mpg: 38.9
Best range: 425.5 miles
Current odometer: 16,571 miles
Maintenance and Upkeep
None.
Logbook Highlights
Comfort
“I never thought I’d be so happy to see our CR-V, but after a full day of traipsing around the Los Angeles Convention Center, covering the LA Auto Show, I wasn’t so much interested in driving as I was about just getting home. The CR-V was comfortable, quiet, easy and gave me good enough visibility to manage the diabolical traffic on the 110 Freeway. Thanks, cute ute.” — Kurt Niebuhr, photo editor
Interior
“It’s been a little bit since I’ve been in the CR-V, but has anyone else noticed the creaking sound the steering wheel makes? Seems like a recent development, and a surprise [to hear in a] Honda.” — Carlos Lago, senior writer
Technology-Audio
“The area you think to be the screen is the equivalent of a 32-ounce cup filled with 16 ounces of ice. So much of the ‘screen’ is nothing but blank space or buttons.” — Kurt Niebuhr
Miscellaneous
“Sometimes parenthood is a real grind. ‘Quick, everyone, get in the car. Now get out. Put your backpack here. Save room for groceries there. This big box won’t fit. Detach the belts, straps and clips to get the child seat out. Lower the seatback. Great, now it fits. Hurry and get it home because it’s time to pick up the kids from school. Don’t forget to reinstall the car seat first.’ It can feel never-ending. That’s where the Honda steps in.
“The CR-V makes the logistics of being a parent more manageable. It gets the little things right. Rear doors are lightweight and open 90 degrees. The step-in is fairly low to the ground, making it easier for the short-of-leg to climb in. There is a button on the rear seatbacks to lower them, which isn’t a unique idea. But it is still an example of how to do it right.
“The button makes access to LATCH tethers easy. Anchors are also very accessible. Back seats have decent hiproom, which minimizes the ‘stop hitting me’ complaints from their occupants. After two weeks with the CR-V as my daily driver, I came away appreciating it more for its parent-friendliness than ever before.” — Mike Schmidt, senior manager, vehicle testing operations
