Test drive Honda CR-V 1996-2001 SUV

Honda first all -terrain vehicle

Not cheap, but good
In October 1995, the first Hondovsky all -around - model CR -V was launched into the series. Initially, it was sold only in Japan. Deliveries of the version with left-handed management both to America and Europe, including Russia, began in the spring and summer of this year. Honda CR-V is supplied only with a closed five-door, two-liter 16-valve engine and an automatic four-speed gearbox (from autumn-and a mechanical five-speed).

Honda CR-V is produced in Japan, in the city of Samaya, at the factory, which recently received a prize of the International Committee for the Study of Products. Perhaps Honda’s high reputation is one of the reasons that in Moscow, for example, the line for receiving already paid cars is about one and a half hundred people. Let's try to figure out what attracts buyers at all not a cheap novelty. So, on our test - Honda CR -V worth $ 32,900.

OUTSIDE

The brand of the new all -around can be identified not only by the stylized letter N on the radiator grille. A wide track, a sloping hood, a characteristic incision of the eyes - everything says that you have a honda. A relatively small wheels and a high body planting give the impression that the car stood on tiptoe. The simple and functional shape of the door handles for which you can take both above and below is noteworthy.

MECHANICS

On CR-V is a modern biaspin 16-valve engine that would be appropriate and under the hood of a sports compartment. On good coating, the drive wheels are only the front ones. If they begin to slip, the viscousyft also connects the rear bridge. Blocks of inter -normal differentials and lowering gear are not provided. The role of the latter to a certain extent is played by the automatic gear hydrotransformer, which provides the driver with a good choice of possible modes for different conditions: four programs, three, only the second, only the first.
Complex passenger suspensions provide Honda with honed reactions on the road. The rear, moreover, in steep turns creates the effect of steering rear wheels - like on the Sivic model. At the same time, the leverage, as well as a cardan shaft hanging under a flat bottom, and the exhaust system make it clear that heavy dirt or deep track is better to go around. The protection of the motor compartment is not provided from below, shelters - only in the niches of the front wheels. True, the gas pipelines are covered with a plastic casing along the entire length.

INSIDE
Remote control from the key fob opens and opens the doors and unlocks the trunk. The latter opens somewhat unusually: first the glass rises up, then the lower part opens to the right. In case you are not sure that the reserve attached from behind will live to the morning, under the trunk floor there is a familiar niche, and performs the role of the lid over it - what would you think? - Folding tourist table.
Sitting in CR-V, there is no need to rise up, as on a large alternate, nor fall down, like on a passenger car. Door seals (in the upper part - triple) leave the doorways clean. Their height allows you to ride, if not in the cylinder, then in the hat - for sure. The salon is very spacious. The feeling of air is enhanced by a high roof, a large area of \u200b\u200bglazing and considerable sizes is a transparent hatch in the roof. And the floor is completely flat, without an ever -interfering tunnel.
The right front seat has two familiar adjustments, while the driver’s angle also changes the angle of inclination of the pillow and there is an armrest. Fly upholstery contributes to a good fixation of the body, and the laid out seats form rather smooth beds suitable for long -term rest. Inertial belts adjustable in height complement two airbags.

Driving place
A characteristic feature of Honda CR-V is a American machine gun located in American. It moves along a rather complex stepped trajectory, which seemed not very convenient. Unlike many machines with automatic boxes, there is no locking engine starting with the gear on. The steering wheel is adjusted in height, and you can forget about the left leg - for it there is a platform - there are only two pedals, and both for the right. The parking brake is manual, this is already Europe.
On the instrument panel - four dials: a tachometer with a red zone from 6300 rpm, a speedometer and two signs: the amount of fuel and coolant temperature. Between the latter is the line of the gearbox selector. At night, the devices are highlighted by a slightly alarming yellow-orange color. The steering wheel switches are standard: on the left - light and turns, on the right - wipers, which are very convenient to use. On the left on the front panel - the control of electric windows (by the way, the huge rear are hidden in the door completely), mirrors, headlight corrector, headlight washer, fog lights, as well as blocking glasses and hatch. On the right is the emergency alarm button, the empty radio nest (wiring with four speakers has already been installed) and the control panel of the ventilation and air conditioning system. At the bottom of the central console - several drawers for small objects.
The review from the driver's place is good. Despite the high landing, the road surface is visible before the nose, that is, by the bumper. The only remark is to the inner mirror of the rear view. The viewing sector through it is limited by thick rear racks and head restraints of the second row of seats, a protruding reserve and the hull of the rear wiper.

TRAFFIC

Starting the motor of any honda, and CR -V in particular, is a pleasure. A short chirus - and a quiet rustling is heard under the hood. The selector - in D4, gas - on the floor and, as if picked up by a gust of wind, the all -around is breaking off. You go - and enjoy, the control is soft and accurate, the car is almost evacuated by the driver’s actions. When accelerating, the machine switches to one or even two (when the kik downs is triggered) downward. The impression is that you are driving an ordinary passenger car - there is no jeep slowdown in reactions and validity. At the same time, after half an hour I don’t want to go around the potholes on the asphalt - their suspension processes so easily.
I had a chance to try new Honda and off -road. Of course, the Bridgrastone dimensions tires 205/70R15 are not the most off -road, but the car does not blaze to them in deep dry sand. When touched, the front wheels turn out first, trying to seduce, but the rear ones are connected immediately, and the car begins to move. In what position is the automatic selector - it does not matter, it will still be the first gear. The exception will be mode 2 when the second is forcibly enabled. In this case, the hydrotransformer chews the entire power of the motor, and not enough torque to crank the wheels.
Honda brakes are traditionally good, but the operation of the ABS is voiced not very pleasant gnashing and vibration of the pedal.
Operation, service
The forced engine accepts only unhealthy 95th gasoline. This will make the owner more meticulously relate to the quality of fuel. However, its consumption is very moderate.
In Russia, a standard Honda guarantee is given for the car - a year without limitation of mileage. But in Europe, the first then - after 10 thousand km, while in the vastness of our Motherland - after 5 thousand km. What can you do, Russian operating conditions, to put it mildly, are somewhat different from European ones. The cost of the first service is about $ 100. Next, you will have to visit the service every 10 thousand km. In Russia, there are so far two Honda STOs - in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the cost of a norm -hour for them is $ 50. Oil, air and fuel filters will cost us, respectively, $ 19, 60 and 60. Brake pads: $ 199 - front, $ 130 - rear. Lovers of dashing ride will be useful to remember the following prices: the front wing - $ 166, the rear - $ 500, hood - $ 279, front bumper - $ 237, rear - $ 247, headlight - $ 200, windshield - $ 262.
The editors thanks Aoyam Motors for the car provided for the test. Detailed sales information in the dealer price section.

Having folded the table between the front seats, you can go to the back of the cabin.

The tilt of the back of the rear seat is adjustable, and when transporting the cargo it can be folded in parts or completely.

A large clearance and four leading wheels make it possible to feel confident enough on a slope.

+ An excellent engine, accurate steering, good suspension, spacious interior, comfortable seats, decent equipment.
- lack of choice of gamma of engines and bodies, low-located suspension elements, transmission and exhaust system, unhealthy 95th gasoline.

The appearance of the new all -terrain vehicle: grace and completeness.

In countries with right -sided movement, it is more logical to make the fifth door that would open to the left.

Honda press CR-V
Sales of new Honda in Europe and America began recently, and not all automobile publications managed to test it. Nevertheless, German Auto noted a pleasant obedience in management, comfort, comfortable seats, a large number of functional elements. Among the shortcomings, according to German colleagues, are the lack of choice of engines and gearboxes, as well as modest sizes of the luggage compartment. The general impression: the driver feels behind the wheel of CR-V, as in a good car in the middle class, and not in an all-terrain vehicle (by the way, in Germany the car costs 40,980 DM).
In England, where CR-V has been sold since June of this year for 15,500 pounds, Autocar magazine celebrates the excellent management characteristics and riding pleasure, taking Honda second place in the class after Toyota RAV-4.
The Americans, in the sense of prices for cars in general and for new Honda in particular, were more lucky. The novelty costs only $ 19,695 here, and the magazine Kar End Driver called it a reasonable price. In addition, excellent maneuverability, good dynamic data, pleasantness in management and real Honda quality are noted. I did not like the tendency to spray the sides.

Technical characteristics of the Honda CR-V car
General data: number of places - 5; Equipped mass - 1340 kg; Full mass - 1900 kg; maximum speed - 160 km/h; acceleration time from a place to 100 km/h - 12.5 s; fuel consumption in conditional suburban and city cycles - 8.0; 13.0 l/100 km; Fuel supply - 58 liters. Dimensions, mm: length - 4470; width - 1750; height - 1710; base - 2600; The track in front/back - 1535/1535; clearance - 200; trunk volume - 375 l; The turning radius is 5.3 m. Engine: with distributed injection, 4 -cylinder in order, double -sized, four valves per cylinder, is located in front of the front; working volume - 1973 cm3; cylinder diameter and piston stroke - 84.0 x 89.0 mm; compression degree - 9.2; Power - 96 kW/131 l. With. at 5500 rpm; Maximum torque - 186 NM at 4200 rpm. Transmission: drive - front with the rear bridge connected by the viscous factory; gearbox - 4 -speed automatic; Transporting numbers: I - 2.72; II - 1.52; III - 1.08; IV - 0.71; Z.Kh. - 1.95; The main program is 4.36. Suspension: on spring -loaded racks with stabilizers of the anti -resistance, the front - with double transverse levers spaced in height, the back is multi -link with the effect of steering. Brakes: hydraulic with a vacuum amplifier and ABS, the front - ventilated disk, the rear - drum. Steering: rheck with a hydraulic wrap. Tire size: 205/70R15.

SUMMARY
Honda CR -V is an excellent car for a dynamic, probably unlucky person who has the main goal - not only guaranteed to get from point A to point B, but also get maximum pleasure from this, for someone who appreciates an active lifestyle, but by no means does not apply to fans-juepers.
 

Yuri Nechetov
Photo by Sergey Ivanov
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"