Lots to love with revamped CR-V
With
all the so-called cute-utes like Toyota RAV4,
Mitsubishi Outlander and Hyundai Santa Fe recently
restyling their vehicles and with a flood of
new vehicles like Ford Edge, Jeep Patriot and
Dodge Nitro entering the market, it was time
for Honda to introduce the next generation of
its popular CR-V.
The previously boxy styling gives way to curvaceous
new sheet metal with looks that could easily
pass for an Acura. While the new look is stylish,
I wasn't the least bit tired of the old
body style. I'm still warming up to the
changes.
But unlike the newly redesigned RAV4, Honda
didn't try to completely remake CR-V into
something it isn't: there's no third
row seating crammed in and no V-6 engine.
Unfortunately Honda also chose not to offer
a hybrid version, there's no manual transmission
or power seats, no auto on-off headlamps, lighted
vanity mirrors or auto dimming mirrors, and the
cool picnic table that folded out of the rear
cargo area gives way to a parcel shelf that Honda
says provides more storage capability.
But the redesign fixed some of the things we
most disliked about the previous generation CR-V.
Gone is the slot-machine style emergency brake
lever that hung off the dash, the awkward gearshift
lever nearly on top of the dash, and the spare
tire that was affixed to the outside rear gate
and impaired rear visibility. Gone too is the
swing-out rear door.
The gearshift lever is now at the bottom of
the center stack below the audio controls. The
emergency brake gives way to a traditional foot
pedal, the spare is moved under the rear floor
and the rear door swings up.
Honda does add some first-time ever features
like an optional navigation system, and rear
backup camera; a telescoping steering column
is standard equipment.
Inside, the new CR-V is less utility and more
sedan than the previous edition. The cabin looks
more upscale with dark-metallic trim, and a hooded
instrument cluster trimmed with backlit black-faced
gauges. We liked the double glove boxes and dropdown
wide-angle mirror that allows the driver to see
what's happening in back without turning
around.
Interior materials seem higher quality than
the '06 model and fit and finish are expected
Honda quality.
Front seats are comfortable with the back slightly
bolstered and bottoms designed for ease of entry
and exit. The new dash configuration allows ample
side-to-side legroom, a design feature much appreciated
by this too-tall journalist.
The rear seat is a 60/40 split and slide fore
and aft. The seat back is split 40/20/40 and
reclines for additional comfort, however, when
fully lowered, the rear seat headrests dig into
your back because they protrude from the seat.
The CR-V continues as a four-door only in either
front-wheel or all-wheel drive ($1200). The lone
engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces
166 horsepower, 10 more than last year with the
same engine. The lone transmission is a five-speed
automatic.
Three trim levels are available: base LX ($21,195),
EX ($23,445) and EX-L ($25,345). All prices include
destination charge. Equipment and features increase
with price.
Honda opted to stay with the four-cylinder engine
as the lone power plant. It isn't going
to please like the high horsepower RAV4 but we
found it sufficient for all but the most demanding
passing on our drive to Flagstaff. Ride is comfortable
with minimum amount of road harshness and a quiet
cabin. It is fun to drive, with excellent brakes
and good visibility. Fuel economy is rated at
27 miles per gallon in the city, 32 on the highway.
We averaged just over 26 mpg in mixed city-highway
driving.
Standard safety gear includes dual front airbags,
front-seat side impact bags, front and rear side
curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability
control. It earned the very highest 5 star rating
in front- and side-impact crash tests from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
and the highest rating of "Good" from
the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
To be sure, the new CR-V is missing some expected
features but overall we are very impressed and
expect it will be one the top contenders for
our AAA small SUV picks for 2007. It feels and
drives larger than it is, is solid, well built
and drives beautifully. At a starting price of
just over $20,000, you could do a lot worse.
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