2007 Honda CRV: Revised
Friday, October 20th, 2006
One of the country’s best-selling compact SUVs has been redesigned for 2007. Since its introduction in 1996, the Honda CR-V has always been a nondescript player in the segment, quietly providing a reliable and utilitarian ride but never setting the world afire in the engine or design department. The 2007 will definitely turn heads, and while it grew on me during a recent day with a few test vehicles, it’s not an instant stunner. This new CR-V hopes to spur the soul with a stylish design that is indeed bold, but no one should overlook the quiet and refined engine and transmission, nor the slick interior. Has Honda finally busted out of the “just above-average” mold it made for itself in past generations?
Around back, the CR-V has finally lost the rear-mounted spare tire and side-swinging cargo door, replaced by a true hatchback that lifts easily. Vertical brake lights also deliver a classy feel. I’ve now seen a number of exterior colors in the flesh and think darker hues like Royal Blue Metallic are more attractive than lighter ones like Glacier Blue Metallic. There’s also an odd Green Tea color that similar to the front end will generate strong opinions.
Honda has really found its stride with interiors lately. The CR-V shares its look in part with the new Civic compact car lineup and Ridgeline pickup truck. The dash is perfectly executed. Did I just say that? Where the Civic went a bit funky with a two-tiered layout for the gauge cluster, the CR-V opts for a more straightforward side-by-side setup with an informative digital display wedged between the speedometer and tachometer.
The steering wheel is a bit on the small, but considering Honda expects 60 percent of CR-V buyers to be women, that won’t be a real negative. Radio controls and the center-mounted shifter are surrounded by small cubbies, including a hidden upper glove box with a metal door. There’s also a standard glove box below. A trio of center-mounted A/C knobs felt a bit cheap when turning, but they were the lone setback in an overall splendid dash.
Leather-equipped LX models should be the preferred choice, as most found the standard cloth fabric in both the EX and LX trims a bit too soft to the touch to be durable. They also didn’t think the straps used to flip the rear seats down would last over the long haul. They felt strong for the most part, but other automakers use sturdy buttons for such operations instead. There’s also no way to flip the seats down from the rear cargo area.
The CR-V sports Honda’s new 166-horsepower DOHC four-cylinder engine mated to a standard five-speed automatic transmission. It’s a capable unit that won’t stir the souls of sports enthusiasts, but it isn’t meant to. Shoppers instead will consider the mileage: 23/30 mpg city/highway in front-wheel-drive models and 22/28 for four-wheel-drive. That’s an average of one additional mpg for the 2007 models.
The first thing people look for when discussing utility vehicles like this one is cargo size. The CR-V measures 35.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats intact and 72.9 cubic feet with them folded flat; that’s up from 33.5 cubic feet and 72 cubic feet, respectively, in the outgoing model. The CR-V can tow 1,500 pounds, but don’t expect many buyers will haul more than a load of groceries.
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