Test drive Honda CR-V 2002-2004 SUV

Success genes

Honda CR-V wants everyone again
The first Honda CR-V, whose debut took place in 1995, turned out to be a very successful car. Demand for the novelty surpassed the most daring expectations. Three years later, the model was presented in all main markets, and five years later more than a million CR-V were sold in the world.
Europe is traditionally not the largest market for all-wheel drive cars: they account here 2.5-3.5% of all cars sold. According to marketers, by 2005 their share will be 3% or approximately 500 thousand pcs. The best for Honda 1998 sold 37,895 Honda CR-V cars. In 2000, the car was restored, and in 2001 a completely new CR-V model debuted. With her, Honda hopes to conquer the line of 40 thousand cars annually.
More thicker
Of course, Honda CR-V has become more. Compared to the predecessor, it grew 40 mm in length and 30 in width. The track and the base did not increase, but the volume of the body has significantly increased thanks to a more rational layout: the salon is, as it were, shifted forward. This became possible with the new engine and front suspension of McExonon instead of double transverse levers - they allowed to shorten the hood and conquer 48 mm for the driver and passengers. Since the absolute growth of Honda CR -V is small, it did not have much added to the mass - 30 kg for these times nonsense, especially for a car with a passive security rating four stars according to the EURONCAP methodology.
All potential buyers are simply obliged to like the parquet all -around: the deliberate rudeness of the style does not pass here, the bold experiments of designers are also. Honda CR -V has become at the same time more fashionable and solid - figuratively speaking, matured. The slanting headlights, a shorter and tilted hood, characteristic plastic edges of the wheeled arches - with one hundred percent recognition, the car seems more than in fact. The traditional step of the waist line visually makes Honda easier, especially from behind.
The logical continuation of the appearance is the interior. Here, Honda CR-V is favorably different from the previous model. In addition to seats that significantly added in size and convenience, a console with simple round handles and understandable symbols applied to their internal, motionless parts deserves a special word. An original vertical handbrake, which in a non -working position depicts one of the console handles. In the option with the navigation system, the upper part occupies an impressive multifunctional display, which, however, is poorly visible on the bright sun. In simpler versions, this place for audio equipment (two landing nests of the DIN standard).
I vote for the machine
It is not difficult to get in a driver’s place - the adjustment range is quite consistent with not only Japanese, but also European figures. The steering wheel does not interfere with seeing the devices - the range of its adjustments is also sufficient. But choosing transmissions sticking out of the panel by an automatic transmission selector is inconvenient: the plane of the hand movement is unusual, and the provisions are not clearly indicated - the lever is visible at different angles for drivers of different growth. The traditional American location on the steering column and the indicator on the instrument panel would be preferable. Such claims do not arise to a car with a mechanical gearbox - clear short moves of the lever do not allow permissible interpretation. But you need to get used to the clutch drive: the long stroke of the pedal, very small and almost uniform effort along the course - is not a gift to an active driver or a beginner driving. This is the first reason to choose an automatic machine.
Automatic transmission is better combined with the general image of Honda CR-V. After all, to say that under the hood of an explosive motor that turns each trip to qualifications in front of the races means to scream your soul. New system of unaccountable regulation of phases of gas distribution i-VTEC and an alternating intake pipe allowed to achieve impressive power indicators and torque subject to ecological norms of Euro IV. But the combat character remained in the past. No, there are no complaints about the motor, for its two liters it is more than good even at small speeds, it spins well far beyond 6000 rpm, does not annoy with noise and vibration ... But something that is not captured by the devices left it. Who said that technology has no soul? In a word, the second reason to choose an automatic machine.
The chassis of the new Honda CR -V was thoroughly elaboration - what is the new front suspension! The car did not become more acute from this, but after all its predecessor was not distinguished by demonstrative sports. But the comfort of the suspension has increased - the Honda CR -V swallows not only minor irregularities, but also solid potholes, copes with a paving stones and a noise -creating expensive auto policy. A dense, energy -intensive suspension also made it possible to significantly reduce the rolls and ensured excellent stability at high speed even on uneven coating - Honda is quite capable of going quickly to Russian autobahns and not much strain the driver. It is better to assess the controllability in corners by the word reliable, without going into the subtleties. This is the third, final reason to choose an automatic transmission.
Sexual question
As you know, one of the strengths of Honda CR -V is a flat floor in the cabin, thanks to which not only the volume of the body increases, but also the convenience of planting. But any medal has its own flip side. Paul is the bottom. It is also almost flat, and therefore the transmission, the exhaust system and the fuel tank have nowhere to hide from the stones and the hard tubercles between the ruts. The gas tank is at least covered by tubular protection, and the exhaust system is as vulnerable as in the previous car. It is better to first study the price list for spare parts first to arrange Kamel Trophy for themselves on weekends. Who knows, maybe that's why CR-V is not painted yellow?
However, we will return to the other side of the floor - the trunk, the loading height of which is now lower than 120 mm. The trunk itself, of course, became more. But if the volume is still not enough, and all places are occupied, you can move the rear seat forward as much as 170 mm, if the complexity of passengers allows. This is done separately for each of the parts of the seat, which is now folded not in half, but in a ratio of 40/60. Even a folding table traditional for Honda CR -V in the trunk has become larger and higher - now sitting after him on a picnic is much more convenient.
* * *
A spacious, stylish and comfortable car will appeal to many who can pay $ 30,900 for it - this is the basic price. Against the background of popular competitors (Toyota RAV-4, Nissan X-Trail), the new Honda CR-V looks very worthy. It is only important to remember that, like other cars of this class, it is not created for extreme conditions. Her vocation is to be comfortable. Always, in any weather.
Text / Anatoly Fomin
Photo / Alexander Polunin

Source: The magazine "Driving"