Honda CR-V facelift spied

The 2015 Honda CR-V facelift looks set to involve more than just styling tweaks, with our spy photographers recently catching the fourth-generation compact SUV testing in California’s aptly named Death Valley.

At this time of year, temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees centigrade, making America’s lowest and driest area ideal for measuring hot weather durability.

It's therefore likely the Japanese manufacturer was testing the latest technology likely to feature in its revised CR-V, which will complement a moderate design upgrade.

As these pictures of the early prototype show, the visual side of this refresh currently appears to focus on the front and rear ends, leaving the sides unchanged. Although the bonnet also seems to have been carried over, the dark camouflage clearly conceals a smaller grille and narrower headlights. This will see the 2016 model year CR-V feature fewer horizontal vents, resulting in a less bulky nose and more clearly defined front bumper lines.   

Mid-life improvements at the back aren’t quite so easily made out, although Honda appears to have focused its efforts on the rear lights, and the bootlid’s shape just below the rear window, as well as altering the bumper to better reflect the design up front.

Under the skin, once again there’ll be a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, with the existing engine range carried over – including 118bhp 1.6- and 148bhp 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesels and the 153bhp 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol unit. 

We’ll keep you posted as more details emerge, with an official announcement expected later this year – possibly at the Paris Motor Show in October – ahead of an official reveal in the first half of 2015.