The all-arounders

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The Prelude and CR-V embody the vaunted Honda DNA. — PHOTO BY PABLO SALAPANTAN

PHOTO BY PABLO SALAPANTAN

PHOTO BY PABLO SALAPANTAN

HONDA is now considered a relatively “quiet” brand, which comes as a surprise since it was once one of the top-selling marques in the Philippines. However, with more competition featuring aggressive pricing, features, and great quality, Honda’s share of the pie has gotten smaller over the years.

Yet there is still a quiet confidence within the brand and the people who work there; a sense of pride that, no matter the difficulties, Honda will continue to survive and even thrive in today’s modern world. There are no models that exemplify this belief more than the new CR-V and Prelude.

We were invited by Honda to partake in a day-long activity to experience both these nameplates. It seemed like a refresher or a reminder of why Honda is still the brand that it is today, a company that still takes car-making very seriously.

CR-V
Let’s start with the CR-V, which, to be very honest, is my favorite Honda product. It’s my very strong belief that every generation of the CR-V has been good, with no major missteps, which is why so many still ply our local roads.

A couple of months ago, an updated version was launched. While the CR-V remains largely the same as the previous iteration, a new variant emerged. Honda brought in the RS e:HEV full-hybrid AWD as the top-of-the-line model and removed the AWD option from the non-hybrid variant, calling it the HuNT.

Mechanically speaking, nothing has changed either; the gasoline model still uses the same 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that produces 190hp and 240Nm of torque. The hybrid variants, both the AWD and two-wheel-drive, use the same 2.0-liter gasoline motor paired with the e:HEV system, with power figures rated at 146hp (gas engine) and 181hp (EV motor). All variants of the CR-V are equipped with Honda Sensing, the brand’s proprietary suite of safety features which, I have to say, is one of the best in the business in terms of smoothness and usability.

For the test drive itself, it began as an off-road showcase, which at first raised some eyebrows. There are now more dedicated off-roaders in the market, of course; cars with various terrain modes and different settings. The CR-V’s take is simple; it just has the patented Real Time AWD system it’s been using and improving since the first generation. The truth of it is that the CR-V is more than capable of taking on the occasional trail; we were able to test it through inclines, deep ruts, and mud. Without the aid of any locking diffs or mud and trail modes, the built-in AWD system didn’t struggle.

Honda is confident the CR-V can give owners a light overlanding feel, which many are getting enamored with these days. In fact, the cars we drove had roof awnings and rails installed, giving the CR-V the full “adventure” look.

PRELUDE
What truly took me by surprise was the Prelude. Prior to driving it, I thought that it was a missed opportunity in terms of pricing; anything above P3 million is a lot for what is basically the Type-R’s replacement here in the Philippines. I’ll save the more in-depth specs for the full review, but I must say that the Prelude is much, much more than Honda lets on. It isn’t just a rebodied Civic hybrid or an Accord coupe; it feels like its own thing.

I appreciate how Honda made a huge effort in giving the Prelude the best of all worlds. In its most comfortable settings, it really is something someone can drive on a daily basis, especially with the versatility of the hybrid powertrain. Power is very similar to the CR-V’s own, with 141hp for the gasoline motor and 181hp for the EV. Blipping up to the sportier settings gradually changes the Prelude’s behavior; it becomes sharper and more agile as you push it. There’s practicality as well; the trunk space is sizeable and adjustable depending on what you want to put in it.

Overall, while Honda isn’t as dominant as it used to be, it still has the same DNA that makes people buy its cars. Having spent decent time in both the CR-V and Prelude, I can say that apart from engineering, reliability, and sustainability, versatility now makes its way into Honda’s vocabulary through cars that can be for both work and play.