Test drive Honda CR-V 2007-2009 SUV

Honda CR-V-car or gladiolus?

The new Honda CR-V made a double impression. In many ways, I really liked the car. But there is also the reverse side of the coin that will scare away from this car many potential buyers.
The previous generation of Honda CR-V made some strange impression. In almost all indicators, CR-V was very good, but its inexpressive appearance (especially the first generation) made an oppressive impression. The car was frankly none. The second generation CR-V looks a little more interesting, but the general style has not gone anywhere.
But the third CR-V is completely different. The car looks truly aggressive and stylish, especially in front. In the profile, the machine is no longer so pleasing to the eye, and behind the design is completely standard. But in any case, it is worth recognizing that the bold Honda experiments with the appearance of their models again brought success. Of course, it is difficult to compare the appearance of CR-V with the main competitors, which should include primarily the Nissan X-Trail, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota RAV-4. However, in the general opinion of the editorial office, it is the new CR-V that looks most interesting among them. Although we will not argue with some unnecessarily elaborate Honda design will not appeal.
The CR-V Salon also liked it. Sitting behind the wheel is convenient, and even the front panel made of hard plastic looks worthy. In general, riding Honda CR-V, especially with an automatic transmission, is very relaxed. Sitting behind the wheel of this car, somehow I do not want to put pressure on the gas pedal and prove to the whole world that you have a decent car. In many ways, comfortable chairs, a pleasant steering wheel, a very good standard audio system are to blame for this (only in any case do not listen to terrible music in CR-V, which in Russia it is not clear why they call a beautiful French word chanson).
Believe me, we are not fans of Honda brand cars, but CR-V has many little things that make the presence in the car pleasant. For example, an additional mirror is built in the eyebrush, which allows you to observe what is happening in the back seat. A trifle, nonsense? Of course. But when you go with a child, it becomes simply indispensable in mind, such a mirror should be forced to put in all the car without exception, without fail. Or take the door handles made in the style of engine connecting rods (the decision, admitly, controversial). On the inside, they are finished with unusual material, which is pleasant to touch with fingers and palm.
But, it seems, it's time to stop this worship of the new Honda CR-V. Alas, in Honda there was one serious puncture that is truly annoying. The point is that in sunny weather, the instrument panel begins to glance. Believe me, this is not a nit -picking as soon as the sun peeps, it is simply impossible to read the readings of the speedometer or tachometer! Lord, was the sun never peeled out during test tests? Therefore, compensation for fines from traffic cops CR-V drivers can safely demand from the company Honda, because it is she who is to blame for the fact that the speedometer is completely invisible. By the way, due to the inability of the instrument panel in sunny weather, you can also make a mistake with the choice of transmission in the presence of automatic transmission. After all, the transmission selector has very small moves, besides, it moves only in a straight line. As a result, the inclusion of a particular mode has to be checked in indicating the operating modes of the machine located on the instrument panel.
It is not necessary to puzzle over which engine is better for CR-V, only a 2.0-liter gasoline unit is put under the hood of the car. Is it enough of 150 horses for CR-V? On the one hand, yes, but still during the test several times there was a desire to have a powerful engine (especially when a 5-speed automatic operates in pairs with the engine). But claims to the motor only arise when you move along the highway at high speed or suddenly decide to arrange races at speed with a bmw traveling in a neighboring strip. And if you just release the steam a little, the 150-horsepower motor will be completely arranged, and you also don’t remember about the gearbox when you calmly ride it, it switches the speed gently and accurately.
Well, now it's time to decide why it is worth buying CR-V. The fact is that the third generation of the Honda SUV is no longer an SUV. This car with an automatically connected, if necessary, can be called a crossover, a parkingese, a universal of increased cross-country ability or some other beautiful word. Yes, at least a gladiolus call him. The essence of this will not change into the mud on the new CR-V you can’t meddle, and in winter he may not bring his master to the summer cottage. And the point is not only that CR-V does not have mechanical locks of differentials, and electronic ones work so that you can easily bury the wheels in the ground before they begin to act. The new CR-V has a completely impressive road clearance (only 185 mm.), And besides, the front and rear bumpers are too strong forward. Plus, one should not forget about the missing engine protection, and the mechanics for a hundred Honda immediately warned that the CR-V suspension is designed to ride on flat roads.
But if the entrances to the phasend are clear, and you do not understand the dubious joy of the participants of the trophy-raids from eating swamp sluts, then you will like CR-V. After all, the new car is perfect on the road. Yes, we can say that it has become slightly harsh, but in it there is no that nasty buildup at a speed of more than 100-120 km/h, which is present on some Korean SUVs. And this rigidity, by the way, is actually relative, the machine turned out to be very comfortable (besides, it has good sound insulation).
Well, about prices. The new Honda CR-V is a little more expensive than its predecessor, but the equipment of the car has become better. Now in the basic configuration of Comfort for $ 33,800 there is ABS, six airbags, a stabilization system, air conditioning, very good music, an electric package. But still, the car in the Elegance version with a machine gun is most optimal. It is already worth $ 36800, but in Elegance, but there is already a leather steering wheel, climate control, fog, alloy wheels. A car with skin, parking sensors, xenon headlights (Executive equipment) will cost $ 39,500. Prices are comparable to Toyota RAV-4 (how much will the new Nissan X-Trail will cost, but most likely its price will be the same as the same as it will be the same as it will be the same as it competitors).

CONCLUSION:
Denis Smolyanov:
I am not a fan of traveling to a snowfall, so I liked CR-V. The car has a pleasant salon, good sound insulation, a worthy trunk (and there is also good on the back sofa). In addition, CR-V very decently holds asphalt. Perhaps only a glare board of devices confuses for the car for $ 35-40 thousand. This is a strange puncture. However, one friend of mine flatly refused CR-V, although he liked the design of the car. It’s just that he travels out of winter almost every week in the winter. And for him, the off-road capabilities of the machine are very important, that is why he thinks instead of CR-V RAV-4 or Suzuki Grand Vitara (the latter model really has a very serious off-road set).
Yaroslav Marshalkin
Honda CR-V is perfect for the role of a car for relaxation. A comfortable suspension, a machine gun with smooth switching and good sound insulation allow you to relax at the wheel, pulling away from the little things. At first, the dynamics during acceleration seemed weak to me, however, if I need to tear myself away, then in the CR-V CR-V Kik-Down mode it is quite cheerful. The steering is just right. In steep turns, one does not have to be wound on the steering wheel, and at the same time, the steering wheel does not scare its acuteness, which is useless to a large car.
The salon is very spacious, and a flat floor with villous rugs even creates a feeling of a dwelling. Only hard plastic and monumental handles of opening doors are embarrassed. The combination of devices is very successful. Scales illuminated by soft blue color are especially beautiful at night. The glove compartment is divided into two compartments the first for a card or documents and the second, for more overall things. I was pleased with the volume of boxing in the armrest that is equal to a small bucket. The trunk is separated by a shelf, which allows you to put things in two floors. However, the practicality of this solution is doubtful - the baggage moves too free on the slippery shelf.
On the highway, on the way to the city, CR-V demonstrated good exchange rate stability. Having moved out of the highway along a cracked dirt road with huge puddles we make our way into the wilderness. Half an hour and you are in a different reality: a lake, singing birds and the absence of other machines. CR-V gives freedom to the city resident, but within the rational. There is neither a lowering gear, nor even more rigid locks, and due to a short-flowing wheel suspension, the wheel is quickly hung in the air. The electronic system is able to slow down the axle wheels, but the path is closed to the real off-road CR-V. Including due to restrictions on geometric patency - long overhangs end with plastic bumers, which are easy to damage.
During the test drive pleased the fuel consumption. In urban mode, it amounted to 12.5 liters per 100 km.
 

 

A source: Auto.mail.ru