It’s always a pleasure to spend time with the Honda CR-V. I drove it for a month last year and it was pure bliss – easy to drive, has a refined cabin, spacious across all rows, and comfortable despite the bad roads of the city. One would think it already reached its peak given it has the e:HEV system but Honda outdid themselves with its latest iteration. There are now 2 variants of the CR-V hybrid and the top trim gets All-Wheel Drive.
A simple drivetrain addition made me have modest expectations for this drive. The task was simple – send it through a short course on paved roads, and then drive it through a light offroad trail. I was expecting a familiar experience since only the drivetrain is the major difference. I’m glad to say I was wrong.
The CR-V was predictably nice on the paved roads. It sprinted quick for its size, has a comfortable ride, quiet cabin, and it made you feel you’re in total control. Its Cruise Control with Stop and Go was very refined as well, feeling like a human was using the pedals with its smooth operation in acceleration, braking, and following a car.
Where things took a turn is in the offroad path. The CR-V is mechanically able to tread the dirt thanks to its All-Wheel Drive, but the body doesn’t look like it’s ready for it. The front and rear overhangs are too long for steep paths, and it doesn’t have the highest ground clearance in its segment, though it’s still high at 208mm.
The CR-V was quick to shut me up once it got going on the dirt. The ride is just as comfortable and doesn’t throw me around even when I speed up going through the bumps. There were steep inclines and declines but never did I scrape the front or rear bumper. Apparently, the CR-V adjusts its brake bias to the rear when you’re on a slope so that the front won’t dip as much during hard braking. We tackled grassy paths, mud, and deep ruts that I felt like I’m surveying land I’m about to purchase. Through it all, the CR-V never lost composure.
The biggest surprise of the day was being allowed to drive the Honda Prelude. Of course, on paved roads only but it definitely left a lasting impression.
First of all, it was easier to get into the Prelude than the Civic despite a mere 3mm difference in ground clearance. The Prelude also has a lower overall height so I’m wondering how come it’s easier to access than the Civic.
Moving to the interior, the Prelude’s cabin has Honda’s signature all over it. Perfect driving position, the high center console isn’t obtrusive, the feel of the steering wheel on your hands, and the spacious feel despite the compact look from the outside – even in numbers. You won’t think a wide man like me would be comfortable inside this coupe but I was.
The peculiar thing about the Prelude is its small bits of technology that adds up to a very enticing experience. It has the usual adaptive suspension that can be comfortable or stiff, same with the steering wheel. We’ve seen that before. What’s surprising here is it has simulated engine noise in the cabin. I never got the chance to hear if it’s the same you’ll hear outside but inside, it was a joy to hear.
It may be a gimmick but it’s a necessary one for me. The Prelude has a hybrid system but as far as I’ve seen on the energy flow chart, the electric motor and batteries do most of the work even if you’re speeding. In my short time with the Prelude, the engine rarely took over the propulsion of the wheels and spent most of the time off, or charging the batteries once they were near depletion. If not for the simulated engine noise, this would be a very quiet ride.
What really left me in awe was the simulated manual transmission of the S+ Shift. The Prelude has what they call Electronic CVT to accommodate the hybrid system of the car. What the S+ Shift does is show you a digital tachometer on the gauge cluster, and then it will work with the engine noise simulator and paddle shifters.
It felt like manually shifting a Dual-Clutch system via paddles. It was snappy and you’ll feel the torque changes with every gear. The engine noise also matches your rev and even plays rev-matching audio when you downshift, despite you only stepping on the brakes! I was smiling the whole time I was playing with it because it felt so easy. I felt like an experienced racing driver who got back to a normal car and flexed my track skills.
The Prelude is a 2-door wonder as far as I’m concerned. It has practical space, tito-proof entry and exit, and its small bits of technology add up to a really engaging experience. Sure, it’s expensive, but if you have the breads and you spend time with it, you’ll definitely give Honda your money. It’s fast, it’s fun, and best of all, sustainable.
