SPORTS UTILITY - SWINDON STYLE (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 147

The Honda CR-V is one of the best of the breed of compact 4x4s that hit the scene in the early stages of the 21st century. Originally introduced in 1997, the car had a ground-up revision in 2002 in order to keep up with the burgeoning crop of rivals. It's one of the more pragmatic cars of its ilk insofar as it has no real pretensions of being a 'proper' off roader, content instead to offer an elevated seating position and a modicum of muddy track/wet grass all-wheel drive ability. The smart styling of the post-2002 CR-V reinforced the car's image with younger buyers who had previously considered the car a little conservative. Although rarely mentioned in the same breath as models like the Land Rover Freelander, the Nissan X-Trail or the latest Toyota RAV4, the CR-V is a car that offers used buyers some significant bargains.

Modelsword count: 13

Models Covered: 5 dr 4x4, [2.0 VTEC/2.2 CTDi, SE, SE Sport, SE Executive]

Historyword count: 242

When the CR-V was first launched back in 1997, the compact 4x4 market was a very different place. The rivals consisted of cars like the Toyota RAV4, Suzuki Vitara, Ford Maverick and Vauxhall Frontera, cars that were pretty easy for the newcomer to pick off at leisure. Since then the opposition has become a lot more accomplished and Honda needed to respond. The 2001 Tokyo Motor Show was the venue for the world debut of the 'new' CR-V, the only British-built car unveiled at the event. With bolder styling and a number of clever internal features, the CR-V looked set to give rival manufacturers something to think about. The car made its UK debut in Spring 2002. Despite some good reviews, the CR-V hasn't sold in huge numbers, its sales potential initially limited by the absence of a diesel engined version and its thunder stolen by rival offerings. With such a modest image, used prices are slightly lower than you may expect for such a recent Honda introduction. In late 2003 clear-lens indicators were wheeled-out across the range and the higher spec models received chrome door handles. Further revisions towards the end of 2004 brought new bumpers, a new grille and alterations to the suspension designed to create more car-like dynamics. Then, that long awaited diesel unit arrived in 2005 to give the CR-V renewed impetus in the sales charts. The CR-V was replaced by an all new model late in 2006.

What You Getword count: 355

We've become used to clever packaging solutions from Honda. The 7th generation Civic hatch displayed enough ingenious MPV-style design features to spawn a whole raft of pretenders. The CR-V is similarly lateral thinking, with one of the most spacious cabins in its class. The two-way tailgate that became one of the old CR-V's trademark features was redesigned to improve functionality. It still kept a separate upper glass hatch, but this is side-hinged like the tailgate, which means that the glass hatch no longer needs to be opened first in order to swing open the tailgate. The interior is a more mature, considered proposition compared to the first generation CR-V. The tandem distance, the distance between the hip points of front and rear passengers is 1,007mm which was the best in the class at the time, but this space was found without sacrificing luggage capacity thanks to the slightly longer overhangs and a lower floor helped by the compact suspension causing little intrusion into the luggage bay. Honda's MPV experience shows in the sliding 60/40-split rear bench. These seats tumble forwards into a near-vertical storage position, freeing up enough room to fit two mountain bikes upright without having to remove their front wheels. Even with the seats in place, the load volume ranges from 527 to 628 cubic litres. The much-copied waterproof storage bin positioned under the load floor was retained in this model, but Honda went one step further in turning its lid into a panel that can be used as a bigger, taller, easier to use picnic table. Three trim levels were offered to UK customers, SE, SE Sport and SE Executive. All variants are equipped with air conditioning, four airbags, CD tuner, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and a rear accessory power socket. You also get driver's seat height adjustment, the picnic table, remote central locking and electric windows. The SE Sport trim factors in alloy wheels, climate controlled air-con, a sunroof, body coloured bits an outside temperature gauge and a hard spare wheel cover. Find an SE Executive and you'll find that virtually the entire options list is present including leather trim.

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