• Gives reasonable mileage and is environmental friendly.
• Completely redesigned.
• Nifty, spiffed up look.
Overview
All new for 2007
Honda says, “One of the goals in life for the CR-V is to get you to the great outdoors”. The Honda CR-V is a 4-door, 5-passenger car-like compact SUV. Honda further avers that it was built to be adaptable and versatile, with heaps of storage and seating configurations.
The CR-V with its cargo versatility is for those who are looking for a substantial yet compact all- weather vehicle. It gives reasonable gas mileage and is environmental friendly. An aluminum-alloy engine block renders the CR-V immensely fuel efficient. In fact, all CR-V models get a Low-Emission Vehicle (ULEV-2) rating.
The original Honda CR-V debuted in 1997 with the objective of sharing shelf space with Toyota’s Mini SUV - the RAV4. It quickly went on to become the best-selling compact SUV. The CR-V is built on the Honda Civic platform. It was redesigned for 2002, with more power and smarter exterior styling upgrades.
It is vastly improved for 2007. The interiors spell utility and class. The exteriors receive a more nifty, spiffed up look as well.
It has a basic warranty of 36 months or 36,000 miles.
Competition to the CR-V includes the Ford Escape, Nissan’s Xterra, Mercury’s Mariner, the Pontiac Torrent, Saturn’s Vue, and the Chevrolet Equinox among others. The CR-V rides lower than the RAV4, which makes for a balanced ride and easy access. It also offers more head and leg-room than the RAV4 Toyota.
Engine and Performance
Spirited 166 hp engine
The 2007 Honda CR-V comes with a 4-cylinder engine and a choice of front-wheel drive (2WD), all-wheel drive (4WD), and three trim levels; LX, EX, and EX-L.
It has a 166 horsepower (hp) 2.4 liter (L) 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC In-line 4-cylinder Aluminum-Alloy engine, with a torque of 161 pound-feet (lb-ft.).
A drive-by-wire throttle system, unit-body construction, a MacPherson strut front suspension, a Multi-link rear suspension, and variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering are standard across all trims.
A 5-speed automatic transmission (AT) is standard. It renders an EPA fuel economy estimate of 23/30 mpg (city/highway) for the 2WD and 22/28mpg (city/highway) for the 4WD.
Walk-around
Rugged, sturdy, and dependable
The Honda CR-V styling is much more suave than its preceding models. It has been refreshed with a redesigned grille, bumper, and Multi-reflector halogen headlights. The CR-V wears high-mount taillights on either side of the rear window. Its distinctive SUV design conceals its passenger-car platform. Rugged and sturdy, its exterior is a by-play of a broad, square-shouldered stance, and angular lines. 17-inch alloy wheels are standard on EX and EX-L versions.
A power moonroof with tilt feature is standard on the EX and EX-L. The CR-V's sleek and aerodynamic, body-colored power side mirrors are heated to facilitate all-weather driving.
An available tailgate spoiler enhances the aerodynamics of the vehicle. A roof rack comes in handy when hauling additional cargo.
Comfort, Controls and Convenience
Comfortable storage and seating configurations
The CR-V has a comfortable and convenient interior. Its front seats are excellent and roomy. It has a generous headroom and leg room in the front. Rear seating is comfortable.
Cruise control and a tilt and telescopic steering column are standard. Gauges are easy to decipher. Illuminated steering wheel mounted controls aid driving.
Various convenient storage nooks are spread throughout the cabin. The center console accommodates CDs and cassettes. The cover for the spare-tire bin also doubles up as a folding picnic table. A collapsible tray table between the front seats has a couple of cup holders and a recess for a cell phone.
A rearview camera, (standard on models with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System) makes it smooth and convenient whilst backing up.
Leather-trimmed seats and armrests and heated front seats are standard only on the EX-L trim. As opposed to the preceding year the new lift-up tailgate allows easy access when loading or removing cargo.
Driving Impressions
Well balanced ride – fuel economy impresses
Honda’s pioneering engine technology, and the CR-V's 2.4L, 16-valve, double overhead-cam engine with i-VTEC generates heaps of usable power and gives great mileage
The 5-speed automatic responds well. Downshifts and upshifts are agile and smooth.
The CR-V rides as smoothly as most SUVs. It serves up a well balanced ride and handles reasonably well on winding roads. Tires offer a firm grip. In short, the CR-V drives more like a car than a truck. It maneuvers well in tight parking situations thanks to a tight turning diameter.
The 4-wheel drive CR-V is perfect for snowy weather conditions, but does not fare well on rugged terrain. Vehicle stability assist, which is standard on all models, and the anti-lock braking system (ABS) maintain traction and help prevent skidding on slippery roads.
Safety
Rates well on the safety front
For 2007 the NHTSA awarded five stars to the CR-V for its protection in frontal and side impacts. It earned a "Good" rating (the best) from the IIHS for its performance in the 40-mph frontal-offset crash test. It rated a "Good” from the IIHS for side-impact testing.
Standard safety features include 3-point seat belts at all seating positions, front 3-point seat belts with pretensioners, adjustable front seat belt anchors, dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags (SRS), front side airbags with passenger-side occupant position detection system (OPDS), side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), vehicle stability assist (VSA) with traction control, brake assist, side-impact door beams, lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH), child-proof rear door locks, and an immobilizer theft-deterrent system.
