2003 Honda CR-V Review
Fuel Economy
21 - 22 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
The longtime benchmark of the "soft roader" mini-SUV class. Drive it. You'll like it.
Pros
Highly versatile and roomy interior, stable handling, comfortable ride, high crash test scores.
Cons
Limited off-road ability.
What's New for 2003
Fully revamped last year, the CR-V receives no significant changes for 2003.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Great Reliability and Safe Too
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This car was a fantastic buy for my family. After 140,000 miles and nothing more than oil changes, brakes and tires it was tragically destroyed in a pretty serious car accident. $15k in damage later and on one was seriously injured. Never had any issues with A/C... We liked this car so much, we found the exact same car and bought it with the insurance money.
Favorite Features
Lots of interior room, strong running engine, build quality and reliability.
Suggested Improvements
Gas mileage wasn't great for a 4cyl, but this isn't a car. Seat belts are a little finicky for retraction, but they saved my wife and kids' lives so they worked when it mattered, as did the air bags.
Ripped off
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 2 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Honda CR-V LX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
My girlfriend purchased this vehicle with 50,000 mi. on it which we figured for a Honda this was nothing. At 90,000 mi the transmission started to shift into overdrive too early and the vehicle would lug like a standard shift in to high of a gear. We had an extended warranty to 100000mi. and brought it in to the dealer in our area and a so called technician took it for a day and came back and of course said he didn't notice anything. So we left and of course a few thousand miles after the warranty ran out we had to fork out 3000 bucks on a transmission. Thanks Honda. I won't ever buy or recommend you again.
Favorite Features
Roomy
Suggested Improvements
This LEMON should be selling lemonade!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Honda CR-V LX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
We bought this car new in May 2003. 2 weeks later the radio stops working. It's "fixed" and then stops working 2 months later. This time the radio is replaced. About 15 months later radio goes out again. After "fixing" twice, radio is replaced AGAIN! Dec 2003 drivers seat won't lock in place fixed 2 times and then new seat put in. Feb 2005 locks don't work and fixed Apr 2006 CD player stops working "fixed" Sept 2007 A/C compressor- pin shears off and sends metal fragments through A/C, entire system replaced Jan 2009. CD player won't release CD's Sept 2009 A/C broken AGAIN, bucking like a horse when idle $1500 to fix what they "think" is wrong since car drove ok for them except for A/C!
Favorite Features
large cup holders
Suggested Improvements
A/C, radio/cd player, seats, noise
CRV or Bust!!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Honda CR-V LX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
Ok...so it's a smaller SUV but our family of four LOVE the CRV. Really. Turn radius is super, comfortable, verrrry reliable and fun/easy to drive! Gas mileage is about 22 hwy. 18 or so city. Good storage room in back. We've had 5 people (2 adults/3 kids) and they're not squished. There are no blind spots, either. Important for me!!
Favorite Features
It's fun to drive! LOTS of storage for CD's, drinks and just stuff (when you have kids there is always some hidey hole or drink cup in use). TWO drink cup holders in back.
Suggested Improvements
The parking break is below radio. WEIRD location for it. AND needs to have AC in back for passengers! Maybe new models do?
Beware cruise control
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Honda CR-V LX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Never wanted a Honda CRV. Caved into the dealership sales pitch. Took awhile, but really enjoy driving it, very much. Mine has 67,000 miles and will simply keep driving it. Two things, 1.) the CRUISE CONTROL separated from its location in the engine at 57,000 miles. Dealership said "out-of-warranty" and quoted $986.00 to fix, then indicated that this happened to another customer. They said they would supply the part, I pay for the labor. OK. That was a year ago, and even after several phone calls to them, I still have no cruise control. Also, at 17,000 miles the drivers side floor carpet split, Honda said it was due to "usage". No, it was poor installation.
Favorite Features
Easy to drive, great turn radius, very roomy for cargo. Nice looking exterior. Really no engine problems. Adequate gas mileage.
Suggested Improvements
Cheap interior, all plastic which scratches real easy (the dog has been banned). Drivers position OK but not real comfortable (I'm 6'). No acceleration.
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