New Honda CR-V is bigger, more clever

25 February 2002: Honda’s latest CR-V will be on sale in March at a starting price of 34,365 euros. The new model is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, which has been the biggest-selling petrol-engined SUV in Europe since 1998. Over a million copies have been sold worldwide.

The latest CR-V is powered by Honda’s new 2-litre i Vtec engine, which outputs 150bhp, only 3bhp more than the predecessor’s power unit but with much better torque characteristics. Variants of the engine are used in the Stream compact MPV and in the upcoming Type R Civic.

The new vehicle’s suspension system is also new, based on that designed for the Honda Civic.

The entry-level model has SE specification which includes ABS with EBD, automatic climate control, four airbags and a single-CD audio system. A version with a sunroof costs an extra 585 euros. Automatic transmission is an extra 1,314 euros.

The new CR-V has significantly improved space and storage over the previous model, and an innovative locating of the handbrake along with a clever method of moving the between-seats tray allow walk-through capability to the rear.

Irishcar.com drove the automatic version briefly at a press showing last week and found the CR-V to be a very comfortable and capable drive. We’ll have a full road test in due course.

February 2002