Honda currently has the Elevate as its only SUV option for the Indian market. The recently launched SUV is performing well for Honda and has actually given the brand new life in our market. There was a time when Honda used to offer products beyond the City, Amaze, and Elevate here. They had premium sedans and SUVs like the Honda Accord and CR-V. We did get the last generation CR-V in India, but for a very short time. In this article, we discuss what makes the Honda CR-V a perfect used car if you are not from Delhi NCR and are looking for an SUV.
One of the first reasons that make the older second-generation and third-generation CR-Vs appealing to customers looking for a premium SUV in the used car market is the price. You can easily find a well-kept example anywhere between Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. As this is a Honda product, you can expect the CR-V to be extremely reliable, although we would recommend getting the vehicle thoroughly inspected at an authorized service center or workshop before making a final decision.
Here are a few examples: 1, 2 , 3 and 4 that are listed online. There are many more.
It is more spacious than almost all cars you can buy below Rs 10 or even 15 lakh in the market! And there is no shortage of power either. This premium SUV was powered by a 2.4-liter petrol engine that generated 158 Bhp and 218 Nm of torque.
Costs after buying
While we say the car is reliable, there are some parts like the suspension and steering pump that might need some work. A steering pump costs about Rs. 10,000 while a full suspension overhaul will set you back around Rs. 60,0000 to 80,0000. An AC compressor replacement will cost about Rs. 15,000. Other than these parts that tend to need replacement say once in 10 years, the CR-V is generally trouble free.
However, Honda is still offering parts for these vehicles in our market, making such repairs easier. Other than being a reliable car, the Honda CR-V offers great ride quality and has ample road presence. Unlike many SUVs available in the market currently, Honda offered the CR-V in both 2WD and AWD configurations.
It is a soft-roader and has ample ground clearance for potholes and broken road sections on our roads. The Honda CR-V used to offer features like airbags, traction control, and other safety features.
It was available with both manual and CVT gearbox options. We suggest that you choose the automatic variant. It was a sturdy vehicle, and there are customers who are using the second-generation CR-V without any engine issues. It is a great choice if you are looking for a premium SUV with ample space and decent features without spending a lot.
What about the low fuel efficiency?
Yes, but think about all the lakhs you are saving compared to a new crossover or SUV! Even assuming you drive a lot, for many years, you will still be saving all the money you did not spend on buying an all-new car. So it makes perfect sense.
But if low fuel-efficiency bothers you too much (even if you are actually saving a lot!), then we wouldn’t recommend buying a used Honda CR-V. While it is definitely a good SUV, the 2.4-liter petrol engine was not the most fuel-efficient. This engine would return you around 7-8 kmpl in the city and around 10 kmpl on the highways. However, if you drive for less than 400 Kms per month, the low fuel efficiency should not bother you much as you’d save quite a bit on the low initial purchase cost, which can later be set off against higher fuel bills.
Not feature-rich
If you are a customer who wants modern features like a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, or a touchscreen infotainment system, then the CR-V will disappoint you. It never offered any of these features in the previous generation models. If you want the feature-loaded version, then you may have to look for the 5th generation CR-V, which was on sale in India for a very short time. However, the price of this version would be high compared to the older ones.
In short, if your monthly running is only around 500-600 km, then the CR-V would make sense as the low fuel efficiency won’t bother you much. If you are lucky, you might get a great deal on the AWD version. So, if you have low monthly running and are looking for a premium SUV that is reliable and spacious, then the CR-V is a great car to look for.
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