- Location
- Smithfield Utah
This report basically includes all First Gen Honda CR-V's build from 95-01. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CR-V While all CR-V's could be considered "cars" I feel Honda went away from their original intentions in the 02 and later years by building them too car like...
If someone told me I'd post a report on my 98 CR-V and post it on a rockcrawling forum a year ago I'd have laughed in their face in disbelief. Truth be told I have really grown to like this car and despite my first impressions it has really shown some qualities that a lot of people (myself included) overlook.
Long story short my Ford is being a little baby and my wife has to be surgically removed from our new 4runner so I've been stuck with the Honda for the last few weeks Until lately I had not driven it very much but in the time we've owned it my wife has added over 40,000 miles which brings it up to 160k. I have never owned a more reliable vehicle in my life-this thing does everything we've ever asked of it and NEVER lets up it absolutely lives up to Honda's reputation. It has the standard 4cyl engine with an automatic trans, full time AWD (no low range) and 4 wheel Independent coil strut suspension. Fuel economy comes in at 28mpg on my mostly highway commute to work. As for power it gets poor ratings, however I must be used to driving underpowered vehicles because I don't see a problem with the 2.0L under the hood. It is usually in third gear in the bigger canyons, but still doing the speed limit just fine. Try that in a 45mph canyon assault Toyota R series
Once inside the first thing you'll notice about the first gen CR-V's is the spacious interior. There is no crap, clutter or goofy trim inside. I don't think they ever came "loaded" or fancy they are just simple and practical and nothing more just like most Honda's built in the 90's. The part I like is everything is 100% functional and it doesn't serve a purpose it isn't there. If there is so much as a square inch of unused space somewhere Honda already has a trap door or shelf built in to make use of it lol. There are drawers and compartments under the seats, in the swing out door in the rear, under the rear cargo space, in the side panels almost everywhere you look there is a place to put something. There is also a hidden pop up camping table (yep a table) in the rear with a big compartment under it. With this much function I'd say it lives up to the term "SUV".
Now here's the real question... Is it a car, suv or offroad vehicle? All I'm going to say is it fits into whatever category the Subaru Forester does lol The AWD works incredibly well in snow/ice and for the fire roads, logging roads and any other trail that would rate around 3 (1-10 scale) it does very well. The size alone makes for an easy turn about on one lane roads and the large cabin provides excellent visibility in every direction. That said I would not want to tackle anything with a lot of rocks or long slow speed uphills (no lo-range), while there is a decent amount of clearance the exhaust system would likely be the first to go. I have a few battle scars on the cat and muffler haha.
Pic shows pop up camp table (It also comes complete with instructions )
I don't think I'd want one for an only 4x.... well offroad vehicle. But it does work great as a dd, snow car and backup camping rig. Also they make an excellent commuter for the girlfriend or wife. I wouldn't think twice about taking this one through most of the San Rafael Swell, Canyonlands, around the GSL, to any state or national park or even across the country. I keep thinking I could maybe justify the cost of a trip to Alaska with it one day.
My daughter and I racked up 150k miles today offroad and had an absolute blast exploring a new area and playing in the mountains. The fuel gauge is at 3/4 of a tank and that is icing on the cake Again its NOT hardcore, not fancy, expensive or exotic just simple and practical and I find that is oftentimes good enough
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