New CR-V will be a brand new car

14 October 2001: Honda's all new CR-V features stronger, more striking looks, a freshly designed powertrain and major new features and equipment.

The second generation CR-V employs Honda’s global Compact Car Platform whose packaging permits greater interior length and height within a body of about the same size as before: length and width are slightly increased, height and wheelbase are identical.

Honda has also improved the CR-V’s two-way tailgate. It still has a separate upper glass hatch that allows small items to be quickly popped into the back of the car, but this now forms part of the lower side-hinged tailgate, rather than being separate from it. It means that the glass hatch no longer needs to be opened first in order to open the tailgate.

The new CR-V is powered by Honda’s latest 2.0 litre 150 PS DOHC i-VTEC, similar to that found in the Stream and, in higher output guise, the Civic Type-R. It powers the CR-V 5-speed manual from standstill to 62 mph in under 10 seconds, yet fuel consumption on the Combined Cycle is expected to be well over 30 mpg.

The CR-V is offered with either a floor-mounted five-speed manual shift, or Grade Logic 4-speed automatic with dash-mounted selector lever. Both transmissions are matched to the 4WD system that automatically engages all-wheel drive only when it is required.

The 60:40 split sliding rear seats have 170 mm of movement in five steps and the load floor is 120 mm lower. Load volume now ranges from 527 to 628 litres, up from 374 litres (VDA). When the rear seats are tumbled forwards that figure rises to 952 litres. Two 26 inch mountain bikes can be carried upright without the need to remove their front wheels.

Honda believes the new CR-V is capable of achieving a four star rating in the Euro NCAP front and side impact tests, as well as a three star rating in the pedestrian protection tests.

Following its introduction to Europe in 1997, the CR-V has established itself as the top-selling petrol engine Sports Utility vehicle in the region. Almost 138,000 have been sold to date, ranking it the third most popular Honda after the Civic and Accord.

Honda expects European sales of the new CR-V to reach in the region of 33,000 in the first full year, rising to 38,000 and 44,000 in subsequent years. The new CR-V will be built not only in Japan but also at the company’s Swindon plant in the UK. TW