CTC Review: 2007 Honda CR-V EX

[airbalancer]

Let's just say the Civic can't keep up in snow up here hehe.

Maybe if you filled in the profile we would know where "up here" is

[garytam]

I drive a 2002 CRV. I can tell  you that the CRV has MORE THAN Enough Power from the K24 (2.4 liter in-line 4) engine. I can squeak the tires from first and second gears and if I red line to 6500 rpm before I shift I actually beat a lot of cars from red light start. I can go long up hill doing 140+ Km/h and still accelerating and sometimes I drive 150+ KM on highway.

However, there are two essential elements on my CRV:
1. My CRV is a 5-speed manual. I can red line when every I wanted, and it has gearing is very short so there are always LOTS of powers when you drive on highway. 3000rpm @ 105 km/h

2. I have 225/60 high performance tires so that the car corners great and very stable on highway with 150+ speed, it tops out at 180km, the fuel cuts off. damn it.

So, if you are planning to buy a 2007 CRV, go but something else because THERE ARE NO MANUAL SHIFT WHAT SO EVER.

Your option is to get a 2006 CRV 5-speed, or a Nissan x-trail 5 speed ( or 6 - speed ??), or a Subaru forester 5-speed. You can even get a turbo forester.

When you get your vehicle, change a set of good high performance tire ( I use yoko AVS DB2) and your SUV will turely drives like a sport car.

PS: I can perfectly handle the 160 hp from the 2.4 engine for my CRV, and if acutally I think it will be to much power if they put a turbo for a CRV, but for antomatic a Turbo or v6 is a MUST. there is no power for in-line 4 automatic period.
     

[hondacura]

The new CR-V looks ok in profile.  And it looks better in black because it hides the front end better.  But overall the RAV4 looks better, especially the Sport with the 18" wheels.

But if I were to buy a compact CUV, the RAV4 would get the nod for 3 reasons --- auto-off headlights, the V6, and the hand parking brake.  I don't ever want to be 30 minutes into a movie or a ball game and wonder if I had turned the lights off.  The V6 because...well...how can you say no to 269hp?  And besides, 4 people plus luggage and skis going up the Sea-to-Sky in a 4 banger CUV is no fun!  And ah...the parking brake.  I've had both kinds.  To me, the hand brake is just easier, more intuitive to use.  I never could get completely used to a foot brake.  Maybe due to the fact that you use the same motion to activate and release the brake.  Maybe it's just me, but that seems to throw me off sync.  With the hand brake...you stop, pull brake up.  Push brake down, drive off.  Two distinct actions for 2 distinct functions.  As I said, it becomes intuitive, second-nature.  With a foot brake, because it is the same action, you'd find yourself thinking after you've driven off, "Is the brake on or off".   Then you'd have to look at the light on the dash to confirm.  With a hand brake, you can simply drop your right hand, without taking your eyes off the road, to quickly confirm.   Also, with a foot brake, I would end up leaving big ugly, muddy scuff marks on the interior panels and trim near the brake pedal.

[BruceD]

I know Hondas are exceptionally well built and engineered vehicles. I'm even impressed at the standard safety features on the new CR-V. I don't think I will ever seriously look at buying a CR-V because the only one in our price range is the LX-AWD. As nice as the EX-L is, I cannot justify that much money for a car that won't stir my driver's heart with it's tepid 166hp engine. I could justify the CR-V's performance at the LX base price. But then I would have to ride around in a vehicle with black plastic door handles, the most spartan interior I have ever seen (although the plastics are high quality), and also some outrageously ugly steel wheels. Has Honda ever made a decent looking steel wheel? As far as equipment goes the LX would probably satisfy me, the only extra I would need is Heated Seats. Oops! You have to go up a few packages for that. The other issue with Honda's is that you either get the 'stripper' or the full load. There is really nothing in between.

I'm sure plenty of people will purchase a CR-V, but maybe they will regret spending the huge money on their EX-L when it comes time to pass that semi-truck.

[gottarondo]

And ah...the parking brake.  I've had both kinds.  To me, the hand brake is just easier, more intuitive to use.  I never could get completely used to a foot brake.  Maybe due to the fact that you use the same motion to activate and release the brake.  Maybe it's just me, but that seems to throw me off sync.  With the hand brake...you stop, pull brake up.  Push brake down, drive off.  Two distinct actions for 2 distinct functions.  As I said, it becomes intuitive, second-nature.  With a foot brake, because it is the same action, you'd find yourself thinking after you've driven off, "Is the brake on or off".   Then you'd have to look at the light on the dash to confirm.  With a hand brake, you can simply drop your right hand, without taking your eyes off the road, to quickly confirm.  

That is an excellent description of the reaction I'm having to driving a car with a foot brake after a lifetime of driving handbrake cars.  Although it has a hand-release, I really, reallly prefer a handbrake to a foot pedal.  Of all the new behaviours I'm having to learn (driving an automatic, different position of rear wiper, power windows and door locks), the hardest thing to stop myself from doing is reaching for the handbrake. 

[airbalancer]

James..Do the seats finally slide back far enough for the long-legged? This was a real issue in the 1st and 2nd gen models.

I was in one the other day, I am about 6-1 and over 260
The seat did slide back enough for me and the was also room for me to seat behind the drive seat
I found the in Santa Fe the seat would not slide back far enough

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Sat in one and had less of a problem than in the past.

[airbalancer]

Sat in one and had less of a problem than in the past.

Loss some weight ? If so tell me how

[Oak]

My wife and I bought a 2007 crv. With a new baby and a morgage we put down 27 000 and financed the rest over 36 mths. The dealer gave us 1000 off the msrp and gave us the platitum protection kit. The truck LOOKS AWESOME from the front end. After testdriving this CR-v and comparing it to the later styles the older one look bland, no contours and kinda boxey.Also with my wife having no need for racing (Turbo?)and not knowing stick this vechicle is perfect for us. We owned hondas before and they mantian thier resale value and the need for major repairs well...we never needed any from our cars bought from new. So I am defending the CR-v. The redesign sold us along with the honda dependablity. As for the price, testdriving 2002-2006 models with 50K-80K would cost us 23-25 thousand. Us not knowing the driving history and along with scratches in the interior and exterior we felt that spending the extra cash for a betterlooking brand new one was warrented.

[airbalancer]

My wife and I bought a 2007 crv. With a new baby and a morgage we put down 27 000 and financed the rest over 36 mths. The dealer gave us 1000 off the msrp and gave us the platitum protection kit. The truck LOOKS AWESOME from the front end. After testdriving this CR-v and comparing it to the later styles the older one look bland, no contours and kinda boxey.Also with my wife having no need for racing (Turbo?)and not knowing stick this vechicle is perfect for us. We owned hondas before and they mantian thier resale value and the need for major repairs well...we never needed any from our cars bought from new. So I am defending the CR-v. The redesign sold us along with the honda dependablity. As for the price, testdriving 2002-2006 models with 50K-80K would cost us 23-25 thousand. Us not knowing the driving history and along with scratches in the interior and exterior we felt that spending the extra cash for a betterlooking brand new one was warrented.

Nice review of your needs!
Which model did you get?
I think I would have put 27gs on the house

[Careener]

James..Do the seats finally slide back far enough for the long-legged? This was a real issue in the 1st and 2nd gen models.

I was in one the other day, I am about 6-1 and over 260
The seat did slide back enough for me and the was also room for me to seat behind the drive seat
I found the in Santa Fe the seat would not slide back far enough

Thanks. Finally sat in one at the show on Friday. It's better but I still found it wouldn't go far enough back for my liking.

[safristi]

New baby and a Big Mortgage ....and BUYING a new CAR......... ..OAK _KAY if yer BOTH BIG EARNERS ...otherwise BAD MOVE......

[Not Happy]

Well this will be my second crv  my 2004 has cost us 10,000 in repairs but
we had the extended warranty.

I hope the 2007 are better.

[carcrazy]

Well this will be my second crv  my 2004 has cost us 10,000 in repairs but
we had the extended warranty.

I hope the 2007 are better.

Wow !!!... I was under the impression that Honda has bulletproof quality and reliability. 
What happened?

[Leviathan]

I hope the 2007 are better.

Not without at least one issue http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?14@@.f1013b8/79