The next-generation CR-V has been spied investing. IMO it looks like one of the hewer Hyundai SUVs.

https://www.autoblog.com/2021/03/01/...spied-testing/

Next-gen Honda CR-V spied through the grapevine for the first time

It's gaining flatter surfaces and more upscale styling touches

ZAC PALMER
Mar 1st 2021 at 9:24AM

• 0comments

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• Next-gen Honda CR-V
• Image Credit: SpiedBilde

A new Honda CR-V is coming soon, as one of our spy shooters just caught the next-gen model out testing for the first time. It wasn’t an easy catch. The shooter says they used an ultra-long telephoto lens to shoot at a long distance from this secret European testing facility. It was shot through trees and fencing, but the majority of the car is still in full view.

First impressions go to size and shape. It looks like the CR-V may be growing in overall footprint versus today’s CR-V — though we’re not ruling out the possibility that this is a Euro-spec version with a third row, as is offered in Europe today. Front and rear overhangs remain substantial, but the new design approach in front makes it appear longer than before. Honda seems to be adopting a more rugged aesthetic, as the gently sloping hood is replaced with a straight, flat one. This leads into a grille and front bumper design that is much more flat-nosed than before.

Its new pug-like appearance eliminates the current model’s underbite, making it appear more like a rugged SUV than city-oriented transporter. The grille itself helps that, too. Large, simple crossbar-like shapes dominate it, making it look more rough-and-tumble than the current CR-V. We’re getting Honda Passport vibes, which is about as tough as it gets for Honda crossovers these days.

The grille is complemented by simple LED headlights winging either side of it at hood height. There isn’t much doing as we look down the side of the CR-V, though the rear quarter window is looking a smidge larger than before.

There’s only one surprise on the rear end. It concerns the taillights and their orientation. The current model’s lights have both vertical and horizontal elements to them. This test car doesn’t have any hint of vertical lights on it, and we can see a wide horizontal light stretching from either side of the hatch. It’s no guarantee that Honda will do away with the vertical element (there’s still plenty of camo there), but there’s a distinct possibility now.



The last thing we’ll point out is the tiniest sliver of an interior view. From the one side shot (above), you can just barely make out the outline of a large, central screen. We figured Honda would completely redo the dash in the new CR-V, and this is our first big indicator for what’s to come. The screen looks like a large one from here, so predictably, Honda is putting all of its tech might into the new crossover.

The Honda CR-V was the fifth-best-selling vehicle in the country last year, and the best-selling Honda. That means we have high hopes for this new model picking up where the current one leaves off and putting itself into a strong position for the next generation. Available powertrain options are still up for debate, but the few configurations it’s available in now should carry over. Expect both gas-engine versions and a hybrid version to be sold here. We don’t suspect any sort of full battery-electric version of the CR-V anytime soon.

 

More blunt nose styling. Ugh.

 

Front overhang looks ludicrously long.

 

^^^ Long overhangs add weight over the front suspension, which, all else equal, can hurt maneuverability and handling, but increase ride comfort and stability.

 

must agree. It doesn’t look good. Must suck to park.

 

I’d attribute those positives and negatives to a long wheelbase, not long overhangs.

 

It will be very easy to make a styling improvement. Current unit is oblong, frumpy, and dated.

 

Looks like they are bringing it in line with the other Honda SUV model styling, which I don't find to be a step forward. Not a fan of the current Pilot or Passport look.

 

Yes, long wheelbases also help with ride comfort and stability, but, in general, long overhangs also help by placing more weight over the suspension.

If you notice in the images, however, the overhang may (?) also be contributing to interior space-efficiency (though we won't know that for sure until the interior-dimensions for this vehicle are released). It appears to have a "Cab-Forward" touch in the design, where the base of the windshield is moved forward, out over the front wheels, to add more room inside.

 

Yes......long length doesn't help there. That was one of several reasons why I downsized my own vehicle...easier maneuverability ad parking.

 

Good point. So take a look at where the centerline of the wheel is relative to the bottom of the windshield. Now imagine performing engine service on that car. The engine is buried down there. Yikes.

 

So would everyone else. Long overhangs on FWD vehicles are just lazy design. Toyota is a huge offender here, the new Venza and Highlander look ridiculous for this very reason IMO. Honda has typically hidden it better.

No reason a car with a really small 4 cyl engine needs to have a hige overhang like that. Look at Volvos for examples of how to do it right.

 

The rear side window looks horrid ... I've fond that particular aspect of cars/suvs is where they fail or succeed.

 

Doncha think that we are only seeing a portion of the window, and the rest of it's covered in cammo?

 

I would hope so- if not it's a design failure.