They say if you have a good thing, you should stick with it. That's the approach Honda is taking for the 2007 redesign of its popular CR-V compact SUV. The revamped model looks different than the 2002-2006 version it replaces, has a bit more power, and offers some new features like a navigation system, but deep down it relies on the same formula that's won favor with 2.5-million buyers around the world since its 1995 introduction.
Despite the fact that Honda's competitors in the compact SUV segment have grown larger, adopted six-cylinder engines, and added seven-passenger seating, CR-V retains its overall size, four-cylinder engine, and five-passenger capacity.
Under the Skin
Speculation abounded about the '07 CR-V sharing much of its
basic design with Acura's new 2007 RDX premium compact SUV. Though both RDX and
CR-V have a car-type platform, Honda officials say less than 10
percent of components are shared between the two. CR-V project
leader Mitsuru Horikoshi said the primary goal for the '07 CR-V
redesign was to create a "solid and tight" vehicle that
drives more like a car than an SUV.
     The 2007 Honda CR-V goes on sale later this month. |
A high center of gravity can cause an SUV to feel tippy or unstable, especially while cornering. Honda tried to mitigate this by widening the CR-V's track (the distance between the wheels) by 1.2 inches versus the '06 model's stance, and moving the spare tire from the rear cargo door to under the cargo floor. Otherwise, the '07 CR-V retains its relatively trim exterior dimensions, something Honda says is important to buyers.
Although Honda officials didn't say how much it lowered the center of gravity, they claim the '07 CR-V has a three-degree improvement in maximum stable inclination angle. Translation--the vehicle should be more stable and less likely to roll over (not that rollovers have ever been a major concern for any CR-V). Also designed to help prevent a rollover, all CR-Vs come standard with Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist traction/antiskid control.
To strengthen the body, Honda increased its use of high-tensile strength steel. While the '06 CR-V had 34 percent of its body parts made from this material, the '07 version increases that total to 58 percent. Use of this material makes the CR-V's body less resistant to bending and flexing, both of which can irritate when driving over potholed roads, as anyone living in an urban area well knows. Honda officials claim the new CR-V's body is nearly as stiff as the midsize Accord sedan.
CR-V is no high-performance machine, and Honda knows this. But the company still wants it to be as stable and carlike as an SUV can be. Officials say aerodynamics are improved by 10 percent for a quieter ride, and stability is increased by 67 percent for better handling over its predecessor.
Under the Hood
They also say the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Though the sheetmetal and platform are new, the '07 CR-V
retains the 4-cyl power of its predecessor. Like previous models,
the engine displaces 2.4 liters, but for '07, it produces 166
horsepower, an increase of 10 hp. Torque increases just one
pound-foot to 161. Fuel economy should be similar to previous
models, and Honda officials expect 22-mpg city/28 highway with
all-wheel drive and 23 city/30 highway with front-wheel drive.
All '07 CR-Vs have a five-speed automatic transmission. It has Honda's Grade Logic Control that's designed to hold its gear on hilly terrain. The manual transmission available on previous models is discontinued. The available AWD is Honda's "Real Time" system that maintains power to the front wheels until it detects slip. The system then can transfer up to 30 percent of the power to the rear wheels to assist with traction.
Safety, Convenience, and Interior Features
In addition to standard traction/antiskid control and available
AWD, all CR-Vs have front side airbags and curtain side airbags.
The curtain airbags are designed to deploy in the event of a
rollover.
CR-V will offer three trim levels: base LX, step-up EX, and top-line EX-L. EX and EX-L have a standard sunroof, and EX-L has leather upholstery with heated front seats. All models are available with front-wheel drive or AWD.
Since Honda relocated the spare tire inside the vehicle, the company changed the cargo door to a standard tailgate instead of the previous swing-out design. It's also designed to be lightweight and easy to open.
Cargo space with the rear seat folded increases slightly to 72.9 cubic feet from 72.0 for '06 models. Volume with the rear seat up increases to 35.7 cu ft from 33.5. The rear seat splits and folds in a 40/20/40 configuration, and it's designed to accommodate two child safety seats, a plus for growing families. EX and EX-L models have a "dual deck" rear cargo shelf, which provides covered storage for items and an upper shelf that can support up to 20 lbs.
Step-in height to the cabin is reduced by 1.3 inches, and passenger leg room, head room, and hip room is virtually identical to the previous generation. Honda revamped CR-V's interior with a new dashboard design. The transmission shifter is relocated to the traditional center console position from a lever that sprouted from the dashboard. Available for the first time on a CR-V is a navigation system, but it's only offered on the EX-L. It incorporates voice recognition as well as a rearview camera that shows what's behind the vehicle with the transmission in reverse.
Going Against the Tide
The first two generations of CR-V were successful for their compact
size, maneuverability, reputation for reliability, and strong
resale value; but this segment is changing. Several of CR-V's
competitors are growing in size and power. Toyota's recently revamped RAV4 is available with seven-passenger seating and
an optional V6 engine. Hyundai's redesigned '07 Santa Fe and Mitsubishi's upcoming '07 Outlander are both larger than
their predecessors and both come standard with V6 engines and
available seating for seven. Honda believes bigger isn't
necessarily better and hopes its buyers share that mindset.
CR-V is a global vehicle for Honda, and the '07 version will be built in seven different countries, making it Honda's most widely distributed automotive product. For North America, CR-V will come from Japan (like previous versions) and Honda's Marysville, Ohio, assembly plant. Look for CR-V to arrive in dealerships at the end of Septembe
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