Ever since it was introduced back in the mid 1990s, the Honda CR-V has been seen as one of the most popular buys within its segment. While the Compact Crossover SUV space has rapidly expanded into near oblivion in the recent years, one thing that hasn’t changed much is the price customers are willing to pay at the dealership. In parts of the world such as the United Arab Emirates, certain brands hold more cachet than others - these include Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and of course, Honda. For most new car buyers, the reputation of a particular marque plays a big role in the final buying decision; it could well be a tentative pitfall for some manufacturers. However, in the case of Honda, the Japanese automaker has an almost enviable fan following not just in the UAE, but almost all across the globe.
So if you’re on the lookout for a brand-new compact crossover in the UAE, the starting price of the model you’re eyeing may well turn out to be a make or break kind of a deal. For starters, the above-mentioned automakers and their respective offerings perform really well, but are in no way trying to compete with more premium brands out there. This means that, despite all the modern features and gadgets they add to their crossovers, the marques cannot really jack-up the price by much, or they stand to lose prospective customers. Certain brands such as Ford with their new Escape and Volkswagen with their Tiguan, have priced their models quite a bit higher than Honda has with its CR-V. While the former cars start from around AED 102,000, the new 2019 Honda CR-V range starts off at a relatively cheap AED 92,900.
For less than 93,000 dirhams, the LX trim of the 2019 Honda CR-V packs in quite a lot of features and tech. For example, you get stylish 17-inch alloy rims, rear spoiler, keyless entry, cruise control, single-zone automatic climate control with rear aircon vents, multifunction steering wheel, electronic parking brake with auto hold feature, rear parking sensors with Honda’s Multi Angle Rear Camera system, USB and Bluetooth enabled 4-speaker stereo system, and a dinky 5-inch multimedia screen among others. Honda hasn’t forgotten any of the vital safety aids either, as the CR-V LX comes with some basic stuff such as Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Booster (EBB), ISOFIX child-seat anchoring points, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and of course, dual front airbags. However, there is also other life-saving tech in the CR-V like Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Traction Control System (TCS), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Agile Handling Assist (AHA).
Meanwhile, if you want your new CR-V with all-wheel drive (AWD) and would like some more luxuries, you could spend an extra 21,000 dirhams or so for the mid-spec EX Plus trim. This one comes with larger 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlamps with auto high-beam, LED front fog lamps, remote engine starter and power-folding door mirrors. However, that’s not all. You also benefit from push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Honda’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, steering-mounted paddle shifters, upgraded 8-speaker sound system with USB and HDMI support, front and rear USB charging ports, and a 7-inch touch-infotainment head unit with built-in support for Apple CarPlay. For the extra cash, Honda’s sweetened the deal by including a Driver Attention Monitor and the carmaker’s famed LaneWatch technology, too.
But if you really want all that Honda’s got to offer in the 2019 CR-V, the fully-loaded Touring trim is the one for you. Of course, you’d first have to cough up an additional 12,000 dirhams. Now, you’ll be able to take advantage of unique features such as a hands-free tailgate, upgraded dual-zone climate control, automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers, soft leather upholstery, power-operated front seats with driver lumbar support, touchscreen integrated navigation system, and a total of six airbags for added protection for all occupants.
