Motor Trend Magazine"s 2015 SUV/Crossover of the Year

[Atomic]

Motor Trend Magazine"s 2015 SUV/Crossover of the Year


And the winner...

The 2015 Honda CR-V

LINK

http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/2015_honda_cr_v_is_the_motor_trend_suv_of_the_year/

[Atomic]

The 2015 Motor Trend SUV/Crossover of the Year Contenders


The Contenders and Finalists
BMW X4
BMW X5
Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Ford Expedition
GMC Yukon
GMC Yukon XL
Lincoln MKC
Nissan Rogue
Lexus NX
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Volvo XC60
Subaru Outback
Porsche Macan

LINK

http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/2015_suv_of_the_year_contenders_and_finalists/

[Madman]

How the hell does a minor facelift of a three-year-old design win anything of the year?!?!?!?

Don't get me wrong, the CR-V has a lot going for it; it looks nice, it's well made, the packaging and space efficiency are excellent and, by all accounts, it drives pretty well for a tall-ish crossover.  But there's nothing new, exiting or genuinely different about the 2015 that merits winning anybody's SUV of the Year award.

Oh, and they obviously didn't bother testing how well the 4WD system worked.  Or didn't work, I should say.

This Swedish test illustrates how Honda's current 4WD system is damn near useless.....


Honda CR-V 2014 4WD failure


More info here.......

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/24/honda-cr-v-fails-swedish-awd-test/

[Eye of the Tiger]

Every 4wd/AWD system needs a low speed locking function for all three differentials.

[CALL_911]

It's kind of funny this was the case, I remember helping this girl last winter with her new "AWD" CR-V that would only spin the front wheels (mind you, in deepass snow). Was very weird

[ifcar]

How the hell does a minor facelift of a three-year-old design win anything of the year?!?!?!?

Don't get me wrong, the CR-V has a lot going for it; it looks nice, it's well made, the packaging and space efficiency are excellent and, by all accounts, it drives pretty well for a tall-ish crossover.  But there's nothing new, exiting or genuinely different about the 2015 that merits winning anybody's SUV of the Year award.

It's a minor facelift visually, but there's a new engine and transmission and apparently greatly improved handling and quietness.

[GoCougs]

This award has never meant anything. Ever.

[CALL_911]

This award has never meant anything. Ever.

Yep

[Atomic]

MY THOUGHTS

Yes. I am an Acura-Honda kind of a guy having an extended family driving mainly Honda products without ever experiencing a single problem (knock on wood) whatsoever. I was amongst them until moving into Volvo cars.

Not unlike many Motor Trend readers and fellow 'Spinners commenting above, I was stunned a vehicle only modestly restyled won this year's prestigious award. Granted, the 2015-MY Honda CR-V was upgraded markedly but nothing earth shattering, IMHO.

A great vehicle? Absolutely. Customers are smitten, though judging from an initial strong bounce in sales. Honda buyers are loyal... Atomic

HONDA CR-V SALES
OCTOBER 2014

Honda's Redesigned CR-V Outsells Accord, Civic

SUBJECT: Monthly U.S. Sales
BY: Gabe Nelson  Google Plus  RSS feed
FOR: Automotive News
ON: November 3, 2014 - 10:57 am ET

Every change to a class-leading model is fraught with anxiety.

Early sales results for the redesigned 2015 CR-V suggest Honda should have little cause for concern about pole position in the compact crossover segment.

In the first month after the redesigned 2015 CR-V went on sale Oct. 1, the CR-V sold better than any nameplate in Honda's lineup with 29,257 units sold, a 30 percent increase over last October that topped even the Civic and Accord sedans.

All together, American Honda Motor Co. sold 121,172 vehicles in October, a 6 percent increase. Propelled by the CR-V, Honda division set an October record with 105,745 vehicles sold, up 6 percent.

Acura division sales rose 8 percent to 15,427 units, driven by another month of strong demand for the brand-new TLX sedan. Acura sold 4,890 units of the midsize TLX, amounting to more than 7 out of 10 cars sold by crossover-heavy Acura in October.

"The new TLX is quickly establishing itself as a top player in the midsize luxury sedan game," Mike Accavitti, general manager of the Acura division, said in a statement. "This early success of TLX also demonstrates the strong potential of the performance direction for the Acura product lineup."

The redesigned CR-V, now powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission, has won accolades from reviewers, including the SUV of the Year award from the magazine Motor Trend.

Through 10 months this year, the CR-V is on pace to reprise its sales crown. It has fended off last year's second-place compact crossover, the Ford Escape, with 270,272 units sold compared with 255,081 units for the Escape.

Toyota has sold 223,593 units of the third-place RAV4.

[Atomic]

The magazine posted a far older (2013-MY and earlier) pic of a Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design interior.

- Not even the 2014
- Not the '15
- Certainly not the 2015.5 model

[CALL_911]

Who cares, Volvo's gonna die soon anyway

[Atomic]

The magazine posted a far older (2013-MY and earlier) pic of a Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design interior.

- Not even the 2014
- Not the '15
- Certainly not the 2015.5 model

I stand corrected. Motor Trend was accurate regarding the seat picture of the new Volvo XC60.

Volvo has added many new choices for MY15, including the color combination that once was exclusive to the pre 2015 and 2015.5 R-Design model: (1) Off Black Leather as Primary Color/Colour w/ Soft Beige Secondary Leather OR (2) The Reverse -- Soft Beige Leather as Primary Color/Colour w/ Off Black Leather Secondary.

For MY 2015.5, these attractive and extremely comfortable seats have been upgraded further for the new model year and are offered as a no cost option with the Sports Package. The 2015.5 R-Design model has two different options -- One in Full Leather at no Additional Cost.

[Atomic]

Who cares, Volvo's gonna die soon anyway

I have always been an optimist and enjoy both new Volvo's I purchased for safety has primary reason status post near fatal vehicular accident. Awakening from the coma, mending and driving again, I more than ever see things in a positive light. I am thoroughly enjoying each car for reasons far beyond the safety aspect of each.

[cawimmer430]

They need to work on the criteria for choosing the best SUV. Namely this:

1) 0-60 time

2) 1/4 mile time

3) Skidpad numbers

4) Nürburgring lap times


How well they do off-road? WHO CARES! 

[r0tor]

CR-V is about the worst thing I see on snow coveted roads and every time we take a trip down to the Outer Banks there is at least 1 stuck in the sand somewhere.

Complete POS

[MexicoCityM3]

They need to work on the criteria for choosing the best SUV. Namely this:

1) 0-60 time

2) 1/4 mile time

3) Skidpad numbers

4) Nürburgring lap times


How well they do off-road? WHO CARES! 

I hear you man.

[GoCougs]

CR-V is about the worst thing I see on snow coveted roads and every time we take a trip down to the Outer Banks there is at least 1 stuck in the sand somewhere.

Complete POS

CR-V, as are most SUVs, is just a station wagon replacement minus a fair amount of utility and comfort.

[veeman]

CR-V, as are most SUVs, is just a station wagon replacement minus a fair amount of utility and comfort.

Small SUVs are "better" vehicles for a lot of drivers on American roadways compared with station wagons.  They're easier to get in and out of due to their raised height and vision is better because of their raised height.  You lose some gas mileage (gas is relatively cheap here) and handling (roadways are wide and straight and speed limits are low so who cares).  Mandatory stability control has made rollovers less common and the added height is advantageous in the snow.   

I don't like small SUVs and would prefer a wagon, but actually a sort of mixture of wagon/SUV like the Subaru Outback is ideal.   

[CALL_911]

CR-V is about the worst thing I see on snow coveted roads and every time we take a trip down to the Outer Banks there is at least 1 stuck in the sand somewhere.

Complete POS

1. Why is it the "worst thing you see on snow covered roads"?
2. Why is being stuck in sand the fault of the CR-V?
3. Why is it a complete POS?
4. What is it designed for?
5. Is it good at what it's designed to do?
6. Is it a POS?

[Madman]

Small SUVs are "better" vehicles for a lot of drivers on American roadways compared with station wagons.  They're easier to get in and out of due to their raised height and vision is better because of their raised height.  You lose some gas mileage (gas is relatively cheap here) and handling (roadways are wide and straight and speed limits are low so who cares).  Mandatory stability control has made rollovers less common and the added height is advantageous in the snow.   

I don't like small SUVs and would prefer a wagon, but actually a sort of mixture of wagon/SUV like the Subaru Outback is ideal.   

My Passat wagon handles better than any SUV.  All the electronic gizmos in the world still can't defeat the laws of physics.

[Byteme]

How the hell does a minor facelift of a three-year-old design win anything of the year?!?!?!?

Won't be the first time, nor will it be the last that MT's car of the year, truck of the year or SUV/Crossover of the year selection seems illogical. 

The reasoning behind the selection?  Who knows, who cares?  I know I don't.

[veeman]

My Passat wagon handles better than any SUV.  All the electronic gizmos in the world still can't defeat the laws of physics.

I agree with you but handling isn't a very high priority for many people here because of wide flat roads and low speed limits.  In good weather with decent tires, any SUV on the market today will comfortably negotiate almost any US road at the posted speed limit.  For those who don't speed, it's a non-factor.  The current SUVs also handle much better than the domestic sedans from 25 years ago. 

I have a feeling a Porsche Macan/Cayenne or BMW X5 will out handle your Passat Wagon.

[Soup DeVille]

Small SUVs are "better" vehicles for a lot of drivers on American roadways compared with station wagons.  They're easier to get in and out of due to their raised height and vision is better because of their raised height.  You lose some gas mileage (gas is relatively cheap here) and handling (roadways are wide and straight and speed limits are low so who cares).  Mandatory stability control has made rollovers less common and the added height is advantageous in the snow.   

I don't like small SUVs and would prefer a wagon, but actually a sort of mixture of wagon/SUV like the Subaru Outback is ideal.   

I don't see them being easier to get in and out of for the average person. Sure, somebody with knee or back problems might find it easier to get into a slightly taller vehicle, but that would not be the significant majority of people. The "better visibility" claim is pretty much nil and void now that the majority of other vehicles on the road are just as tall and have just as many tinted windows. Besides which, its only the poorer portion of drivers who ever thought that made a difference anyways. I would like to hear the reasoning behind assuming a higher roofline means better snow handling capability.

There are some practical advantages to a minivan for a lot of people when it comes to passenger and cargo room: and (a biggie for those with young kids) easier car seat ingress, access, and removal; but by and large I think the sedan based staton wagon is a better solution in many cases.

[r0tor]

1. Why is it the "worst thing you see on snow covered roads"?
2. Why is being stuck in sand the fault of the CR-V?
3. Why is it a complete POS?
4. What is it designed for?
5. Is it good at what it's designed to do?
6. Is it a POS?

1.  Constantly see them doing FWD burnouts pulling away from a snow covered intersection and then about 30 seconds later the rear wheels finally engage and almost send it fish tailing into the guard rail.
2.  Piss poor AWD ensures being stuck in the sand
3.  Its a complete POS as its not capable of being and SUV or CUV
4.  An SUV or CUV should be able to haul a family, a trailer, and drive in adverse conditions
5.  It sucks at being an SUV or CUV
6.  Yes, I think 1-5 have already established its a POS

[ifcar]

Don't you think you maybe just see them more because it outsells all of its competitors with similar AWD systems?

[FoMoJo]

I don't see them being easier to get in and out of for the average person. Sure, somebody with knee or back problems might find it easier to get into a slightly taller vehicle, but that would not be the significant majority of people. The "better visibility" claim is pretty much nil and void now that the majority of other vehicles on the road are just as tall and have just as many tinted windows. Besides which, its only the poorer portion of drivers who ever thought that made a difference anyways. I would like to hear the reasoning behind assuming a higher roofline means better snow handling capability.

There are some practical advantages to a minivan for a lot of people when it comes to passenger and cargo room: and (a biggie for those with young kids) easier car seat ingress, access, and removal; but by and large I think the sedan based staton wagon is a better solution in many cases. 

Perhaps I'm one of those "non average persons", but I find them much easier to get in and out of than, especially, a lot of import cars.  I've had my Escape for 14 years and I'm reluctant to get rid of it because I find it so comfortable...though I'm really starting to drool over getting a Focus ST.  The higher seating position does help as well in visibility and, more in the sense of a psychological advantage in respect to my wife who, also, has an Escape, it imbues a sense of security...not looking directly at a trailer hitch on the pick-up in front.

[ifcar]

Perhaps I'm one of those "non average persons", but I find them much easier to get in and out of than, especially, a lot of import cars.  I've had my Escape for 14 years and I'm reluctant to get rid of it because I find it so comfortable...though I'm really starting to drool over getting a Focus ST.  The higher seating position does help as well in visibility and, more in the sense of a psychological advantage in respect to my wife who, also, has an Escape, it imbues a sense of security...not looking directly at a trailer hitch on the pick-up in front.

Unless I'm missing something, the era of "import cars" being functionally different than their domestic competitors is a relic of the '80s.

[FoMoJo]

Unless I'm missing something, the era of "import cars" being functionally different than their domestic competitors is a relic of the '80s.

Being of an aged and lanky stature with joints that no longer function with the ease and grace of the past, an inch or so of door clearance makes a big difference.  I've never had a problem getting in or out of a Focus, for example, but a Civic, for example, either has a higher seat or lower door top.  Perhaps other makes from each continent are different in this respect, but not in my experience.

[Soup DeVille]

Perhaps I'm one of those "non average persons", but I find them much easier to get in and out of than, especially, a lot of import cars.  I've had my Escape for 14 years and I'm reluctant to get rid of it because I find it so comfortable...though I'm really starting to drool over getting a Focus ST.  The higher seating position does help as well in visibility and, more in the sense of a psychological advantage in respect to my wife who, also, has an Escape, it imbues a sense of security...not looking directly at a trailer hitch on the pick-up in front.

Psychological advantage is a fancy way of saying that its better because people think it should be better. The car in front of you is the one to be concerned about, not the one in front of it. Yes, I understand his is a big deal to a lot of people. It's also a little silly.

That being said; the choice is t between a compact and a small SUV; its a theoretical choice between a compact SUV and a modern mid sized wagon that that same company would have built if they werent building that SUV.

[MrH]

Being of an aged and lanky stature with joints that no longer function with the ease and grace of the past, an inch or so of door clearance makes a big difference.  I've never had a problem getting in or out of a Focus, for example, but a Civic, for example, either has a higher seat or lower door top.  Perhaps other makes from each continent are different in this respect, but not in my experience.

Do you really think every design engineer from various oems in each continent conspire to create hard defined dimensions of their vehicles? that doesn't make any sense.