Weekend Athlete: Honda CR-V
The Element and CR-V give Honda two distinct offerings in the small SUV segment. If the Element is the kid you can't keep out of mud puddles, the CR-V is the cleaner, dressier sibling. Still, it does OK in the world of camping and racing despite its clean-cut nature.
The CR-V works best as a camping vehicle. It and the Element remain the only ones I've tested that I believe could easily carry gear for three or four people because there's enough room behind the upright rear seat for the gear.
When you do choose to fold the seat, they do so very easily. Just pull a strap and they flop over, then pull another strap and they flop forward. There's yet another strap that secures the folded seat to the side wall. The CR-V scores major points for how intuitive this all is.
However, the cargo area after all that folding is just a tad small if you're carrying a bike. Specifically, it's short front-to-back rather than side-to-side. As with the Scion xB, you have to take a second to figure out how you want to place everything if you're racing and camping. It's not a case of open hatch, chuck stuff, drive off.
Rating: 8.25
I give it an 8.25, primarily because of its ability to carry camping gear; that's what pushes it ahead of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Scion xB. The short cargo area is a drawback, so it's not my first choice for a race-going vehicle. Plus, on a personal, mud-puddle-loving level, I think the CR-V is just too clean-cut to be my race vehicle. If you're the clean kid in your family, put it on your list.
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That triangle side rear window really gives it a station wagon type feel like a vibe etc.. Otherwise looks like an overly tall station wagon.
I can't get passed that extra grill in the front. I'm not sure why the automotive press seems to be more forgiving (or less willing to point out) when it comes to the strange styling choices of the Japanese vehicles.
Not that I want to start this poo flinging exercise, but when an American manufacturer does something they different (center IP in the ION for instance), it's all you read about in any review. When the same set up is used in a Japanese car (Scion) or when they get really wierd (Civic), it's glossed over.
Again, styling is subjective, and this is just my opinion, but I do read quite a few different auto pubs (Motortrend, C&D, R&T, Automobile, and this one), and it seems to be a recurring theme.
Yeah, DodgeFan and Cody, I hear you on styling. It is totally subjective. I try to stay away from it in this post because I'm just trying to see what cars will carry what and point out ones that can carry a lot of stuff well. (Or point out the ones that look like they can carry stuff, but don't.) In other posts I might comment about styling, but here I was only contrasting the CR-V to its sibling, the Element.
Put another way, if Pontiac still made the Aztek, I'd only talk about its utility and not its looks -- which actually kind of grew on me after awhile. Styling is something everybody has to decide for themselves about.
Cody,
I reviewed the CR-V for Cars.com and listed the funky exterior right at the top of the list!
"Exterior
There's no escaping it: The new Honda CR-V has an underbite. I don't know where designers are getting the idea that this is a good look, but the new Jeep Compass has a similar bumper treatment. It's truly "unfortunate," as a colleague of mine said when he first saw it, because from every other angle the CR-V's design shines.
Before I get too negative about the front end, it does look better on the road and from a dead-on perspective. It's when you stray to the left or right that it shows off some of the oddity going on. I think most CR-V buyers will get past it, especially since the last two designs spoke to absolutely no one.
Around back, the CR-V has finally lost the rear-mounted spare tire and side-swinging cargo door, replaced by a true hatchback that lifts easily. Vertical brake lights also deliver a classy feel. I've now seen a number of exterior colors in the flesh and think darker hues like Royal Blue Metallic are more attractive than lighter ones like Glacier Blue Metallic. There's also an odd Green Tea color that — similar to the front end — will generate strong opinions."
The Full review is here.
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?ASSET_TYPE=Affiliate+Review%2CBuying+Guide%2CVehicle+Profile&revlogtype=17§ion=reviews&makeid=18&modelid=213&year=2007
Hopefully that makes you feel better about Cars.com as a source ;)
Yeah, the CR-V does have that underbite, and personally I don't like it. But, I'm glad they did it. I wish more automakers would take risks on design elements. You can't create a new hot design without taking the risk of it failing.
Looks like the only complaints from people so far are some opinions minor styling issues. I personally like the CR-V where it counts. The smooth and quiet ride/handling, excellent fuel economy and ergonomics. I can't say the kind words for the other small SUVs I've test driven. honda, I would only change one thing about the current generation Homerun CR-V. A little more power under the hood. Say.. tune the Civic Si's 197 HP power plant for a little more torque and you'd have a great combination.
Thanks for not biting my head off. I was hoping I wouldn't ignite the back lash of the Honda and Toyota faithful.
I see your point Bill, and I've read your previous Weekend Athlete evaluations and you do maintain that theme.
Dave T., I missed that review, but I think you're in the minority when it comes to criticizing the styling.
I've seen the Honda CR-Vs on the roads here in Korea, and you're right, it looks very good from some angles, but strange from others.
Is there any reason you couldn't store your bike vertically, to one side in the cargo area? And maybe only need to remove the front wheel? A friend has a 2005 RAV4, and I'm able to wheel my (small frame) mountain bike right into the cargo area with the rear seats down. I figured if I could tie it down somehow with a strap through the frame, I'd be all set.
I'm hoping I could do that with the CR-V too.
Crv sucks in snow. It is not a true 4wd.