(October 16, 2014) NEW YORK — Honda CR-V has won Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year for 2015 defeating a long list of formidable competition including the Chevy Tahoe, Subaru Outback, Lincoln MKXC, Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60.

The CR-V claimed the title with a long list of vehicle enhancements for 2015, including its improved fuel economy and uncompromised driving dynamics, thanks to the inclusion of Honda's Earth Dreams Technology powertrain, the launch of an all-new Touring trim, the debut of Honda Sensing safety and driver assistive technologies and the CR-V's excellent value for money paradigm.

Motor Trend editor-in-chief Ed Loh, said, "The 2015 Honda CR-V impressed our judges with its extensive list of delightful design and thoughtful engineering improvements. Our editors were especially impressed by Honda's responsive and efficient continuously-variable transmission and sophisticated safety systems — particularly the smart and seamlessly integrated Lane Keeping Assist system. Efficient, practical, and a joy to drive; the 2015 Honda CR-V does virtually everything well."

"It is an honor to receive such a prestigious award from the expert staff at Motor Trend," said Jeff Conrad, SVP & general manager of Honda Division, American Honda.

"Our engineers, planners, and dealers work hard to deliver class leading products to our customers, and it's extremely rewarding to be recognized for that hard work. This award from Motor Trend reaffirms for us that we're meeting that goal."

In addition to the Honda CR-V, the 2015 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year competition included 18 other all-new or significantly updated SUVs:
BMW X4, BMW X5, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus NX, Lincoln MKC, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Nissan Rogue, Porsche Macan, Subaru Outback, Toyota Highlander, and Volvo XC60

Motor Trend's Sport/Utility of the Year is not a comparison test, and is only open to all-new or substantially upgraded vehicles that have gone on sale in the 12 months from Nov.1 of the previous year.

To judge contenders for the award, Motor Trend's editorial staff conducted an exhaustive three-phase testing process. Phase one includes a full tech check and weigh-in, then full track testing to establish baseline data for acceleration, braking and handling.

Phase two involved three days of road loops offering a range of road surfaces and traffic conditions to evaluate ride and handling, engine and transmission smoothness and responsiveness, wind and road noise and ergonomics. An off-road section tests traction, stability, and braking control systems. In the third phase the judges debate and deliberate. The judging criteria include the following categories:

• Design Advancement — well-executed exterior and interior styling; innovative vehicle packaging; good selection and use of materials.

• Engineering Excellence — total vehicle concept and execution; clever solutions to packaging, manufacturing and dynamics issues; cost-effective tech that benefits the consumer.

• Performance of Intended Function — how well the vehicle does the job its planners, designers, and engineers intended it to do.

• Efficiency — low fuel consumption and carbon footprint, relative to the vehicle's competitive set.

• Safety — a vehicle's ability to help the driver avoid a crash, as well as the secondary safety measures that protect its occupants from harm during a crash.

• Value — competitive price and equipment levels, measured against those of vehicles in the same market segment.

Priced from $23,320, the CR-V is offered with a new Honda Earth Dreams Technology 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and CVT (continuously variable transmission). The CR-V can be had in either front- or all-wheel drive, and it earns best-in-class fuel economy, with and EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway/ 29mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models, and 26/33/28-mpg for all-wheel drive.

The 2015 CR-V is expected to receive a Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and its official safety ratings will be released later this year. The 2015 CR-V is manufactured exclusively for the North American market at Honda plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico using domestic and globally sourced parts.

CR-V, which sold more than 300,000 units last year, and is on track to do the same in 2014. CR-V's strong sales performance has been a consistent triumph for the Honda brand since the vehicle's introduction, leading CR-V to become the best-selling SUV in the industry over the past decade.