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Full Test: 2002 Honda CR-V
A Mini-Ute For Most of Us
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By Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
Date posted: 12-27-2001
When the original Honda CR-V debuted in 1997, it had one simple objective — do everything better than the Toyota RAV4, the mini SUV that had arrived just a year earlier. They shared similar design philosophies (four-cylinder engines, carlike rides), and although the two vehicles battled for the same customers, they both enjoyed incredibly strong sales numbers.
The mini-SUV segment has now grown to include more than 10 different models, each with its own idea of what constitutes the perfect blend of size, power and capability. Some use larger V6 engines, others boast real off-road capability. When Toyota released a fully redesigned version of the RAV4 last year, it stuck with the original philosophy of a small car-like sport-ute that made no pretenses toward being a scaled-down 4Runner.
The all-new Honda CR-V adheres to much the same philosophy. There's still no V6 offered, and serious off-roading is out of the question, but in the all-important areas of drivability and practicality, the new CR-V is better than ever.
Even without an available V6, the Honda CR-V still offers plenty of get-up-and-go thanks to an all-new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. In addition to its larger displacement, this new power plant also enjoys the benefits of Honda's latest i-VTEC technology. This complex system of adjustable valve timing and lift results in an engine that delivers high horsepower and torque as well as low emissions and superior fuel economy. The CR-V is the first Honda-badged product to offer this technology, and after experiencing the benefits first-hand, we hope it's not the last.
Rated at 160 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, the larger four-cylinder might not seem like much of an improvement over the previous engine (146 horsepower/133 lb-ft of torque), but the seat-of-the-pants feel tells a different story. The large increase in torque makes for quick starts and a strong pull even when loaded down with additional passengers or cargo. Keep your foot down and the engine just keeps on pulling right up to the redline thanks to the constant valve adjustments being made by the i-VTEC system.
Track testing confirmed our impressions, as the CR-V managed a best 0-to-60-mph run of 8.7 seconds. An impressive feat considering that the last Ford Escape we tested only managed a best time of 9.3 seconds, and that was with a 200-horsepower V6 under the hood. Not to mention that even with all this power, the CR-V still managed a very respectable 21.8 miles per gallon during our week-long test.
Even more impressive than the engine's power is the manner in which it's delivered. Most four-cylinders are plagued by excessive noise and vibration, but the CR-V's new power plant remains smooth and quiet at all engine speeds. It's also less peaky, with a broad band of power that rarely leaves you scrambling for a lower gear. We have no trouble calling this new engine the standard for refinement in four-cylinder sport-utes.
The five-speed manual transmission in our test vehicle was a fitting complement to the terrific new engine under the hood. In typical Honda fashion, both the shifter and the clutch work with little effort. Short throws and a well positioned shifter make rowing through the gears a snap. A four-speed automatic is also available, but unless you face long commutes on a regular basis, we would opt for the peppier performance of the slick-shifting manual.
Four-wheel-drive CR-Vs continue to use Honda's Real Time 4WD system. This system provides the security of all-wheel drive combined with the drivability and fuel economy of part-time systems. This is accomplished by powering the front wheels only under normal conditions. If the front wheels begin to slip, power is immediately transferred to the rear wheels until traction is regained. Requiring no input from the driver, this fully automatic system is ideal for those who live in harsh climates that demand all-weather traction.
On and off rain showers during track testing gave us a good idea of just how well the system works. During high-powered launches, there was a noticeable thunk as the rear wheels engaged, but other less aggressive maneuvers proved the system to be unobtrusive and effective. A short off-road excursion revealed less than ideal traction, but much of that can be attributed to the smallish street tires that lacked any kind of off-road-worthy tread.
One of the major advantages most mini SUVs have over their larger midsize counterparts is superior handling. Since many mini-utes are built on small car platforms, they're typically more agile than the average truck-based midsize. The CR-V is no exception, using the recently redesigned Civic as its basis. And, like the Civic, the CR-V now uses a MacPherson strut front suspension along with a double-wishbone setup in the rear.
Around-town driving reveals a softly tuned setup that favors comfort over performance. While Toyota's RAV4 feels like a sports car, the CR-V is more of a confident cruiser, able to take just about anything the road can dish out, but never enticing you to push it harder. Threading it through our slalom course revealed a little more body roll than we would like, but considering its typical use as a grocery-getter, we would hardly consider it a fault. The variable assist steering provides a nice, light feel at slow speeds, but doesn't taper off enough at higher speeds, leaving it feeling a little loose on the highway.
The braking system has been improved with the addition of rear wheel discs in place of the previous model's front disc/rear drum setup. Track testing revealed a best 60-to-0 stopping distance of 128 feet, a distance that would have placed it midpack in our recent mini SUV comparison test. Our test driver noted that the ABS was extremely quiet and vehicle stability was excellent.
Although quick off the line and well sorted in the slalom, the Honda CR-V still can't match the RAV4 in the "fun to drive" department, something that's not likely to cause much worry at Honda. They're well aware of the fact that mini-ute shoppers are generally looking for practicality as much as, or even more than, fun, and it's in this area that the CR-V shines.
Interior room has been increased by 8 percent over the original model, giving the CR-V competitive measurements with just about any other mini-ute on the market. In fact, the CR-V now leads its class in front shoulder room and rear legroom and hip room. A low step-in height makes for easy entry, but one of our editors found it difficult to find a comfortable seating position. The cloth-covered seats are supportive, but taller drivers might find the seat cushions a little on the short side.
The rear quarters are surprisingly roomy considering the vehicle's overall size. Each side of the 60/40-split bench seat can be moved forward or back 6.7 inches, and the seatbacks can be reclined up to 45 degrees. For maximum cargo room, both rear seats can be tumbled forward to clear up to 72 cubic feet of space.
Two adults can ride comfortably in back, but three is a little tight, although the ability to recline the seatbacks does help ease the congestion. Tumbling the seats forward is simple enough, but the wide-open load floor that results isn't completely level. The RAV4 features fully removable seats that make for a slightly flatter load floor, but then you're saddled with finding somewhere to put them, not to mention what to do if you suddenly decide you need them and they're sitting in your garage somewhere.
The cargo area is easily accessible thanks to a low load floor and a two-way rear door. The separate glass hatch not only lets you load groceries and the like in tight spaces, it allows for carrying overly long items, as well. The swinging door opens up wide for easy loading, but we would prefer if it were hinged on the driver side for easier curbside access.
Nearly all of our editors agree that the dashboard layout is well designed, if not terribly attractive. The sharp, uncluttered gauge cluster is easy to read at a glance, and the stereo is placed high in the dash for easy tuning. We're especially enamored of the excellent climate controls with their slick operation and minimum number of buttons.
We also liked the large dash cubby under the radio and the storage shelves just above the glovebox that provide plenty of easily accessible storage for the driver and passenger. As with the previous CR-V, there's a foldable shelf in between the front seats. Not only is it a convenient place to throw a bag of fast food, but when folded out of the way, it creates a walkway (albeit, a small one) to the back seats, a feature that parents with small children will appreciate, no doubt.
A few minor details caused some dissention in the ranks. The funky emergency brake lever that disguises itself as a dashboard grab handle when not in use irked some editors, while others liked its original design. Honda's continued insistence on hiding the sunroof switch down and to the left of the steering wheel remains a mystery, but we're getting used to it. And then, of course, there's the styling, but we won't bore you by repeating the numerous colorful references to Japanese animation characters.
Besides, choosing a mini SUV is largely a matter of personal taste and lifestyle. If there's one thing we learned from our recent mini-ute comparison test, it's that almost all of the currently available vehicles on the market are strong contenders worthy of consideration. Choosing one over the other depends on what you plan to do with it and what attributes will contribute to that goal most effectively.
Want to explore the local mountains as well as the mall? Check out the Jeep Liberty or Nissan Xterra. Do you want the room of a sport-ute, but still crave the performance of a sedan? Get a Toyota RAV4. Need serious horsepower to pull a small trailer? The Ford Escape is the one you want.
Then again, maybe none of those scenarios figures into your plans. All you're looking for is an alternative to a small car, and maybe some all-weather capability thrown in for good measure. Something that doesn't feel like it's about to get run over in traffic, but can still get decent gas mileage. For drivers like this, the Honda CR-V is a tough act to beat.
The ultrarefined four-cylinder power plant delivers both solid power and respectable mileage. The fully automatic all-wheel-drive system assures confident traction with no driver input required, and the softly tuned suspension won't leave you wishing for the comfort of a sedan. Throw in the fact that Hondas are consistently some of the best built cars in the world, and it's hard to go wrong with the CR-V.
See all the Ratings: 2002 Honda CR-V EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M) Road Test Scoreboard
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