The Honda CR-V (also sold as the Honda Breeze in China since 2019) is a compact crossover SUV manufactured by Japanese automaker Honda since 1995. Initial models of the CR-V were built using the same platform as the Civic.
Honda began producing the CR-V in Japan and United Kingdom, for worldwide markets, adding North American manufacturing sites in the United States and Mexico in 2007, and Canada in 2012. The CR-V is also produced in Wuhan for the Chinese market by Dongfeng Honda, and also marketed as the Breeze in China for the version produced at Guangzhou by Guangqi Honda.
Honda states that "CR-V" stands for "Comfortable Runabout Vehicle," while the term "Compact Recreational Vehicle" was used in a British car review article that was republished by Honda, associating the model name with the Sports Utility Vehicle abbreviation of SU-V. Republished as
, the CR-V is positioned between the smaller ZR-V (marketed as HR-V in North America) — with which the CR-V shares a platform — and the larger North American market Passport/Pilot or the Chinese market Avancier/UR-V. It was the second best-selling SUV globally in 2020.
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First generation (1995)
The first generation CR-V or RD1 was Honda's first in-house designed sport utility vehicle by Hiroyuki Kawase.
When the CR-V was introduced in Japan in October 1995 it was sold only at Honda Verno and Honda Primo dealerships and exceeded Japanese government's compact car regulations regarding exterior dimensions (maximum width of , therefore incurred a more expensive annual road tax obligation.
For the North American market, it was displayed at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show and went on sale in February 1997.
Upon introduction, the model had only one trim level, which would later be known as the LX model trim; it was powered by the 2.0-litre straight-four B20B. Outer dimensions for this engine would be identical to the Integra's 1.8L engine, but internally the engine had a larger bore vs for the Integra, to add the extra displacement needed to produce more torque. The engine used a one-piece cylinder sleeve construction unique from any other B-series engine. The chassis and suspension were largely similar to the 4th-generation Honda Civic Shuttle (Wagon) with a unibody design with fully independent suspension. The vehicle's suspension was double wishbone, while the rear used a trailing-arm-based multilink system. The rear seats were able to fold down and integrate with front seats that could fold flat, such that they formed a bed of sorts, about the size of a twin bed. Also, a picnic table was stowed in the rear floor area. All models featured plastic cladding covering the front bumper, rear bumper, and fender wells. In most countries, CR-Vs had a chrome grille; however, in the United States, the grille was made out of the same black plastic as the bumpers. The EX included anti-lock brakes and 15-inch alloy wheels over the LX trim. Drivetrain options were front-wheel drive or Honda's Real Time AWD.
The Indonesian market CR-V was released in 1999 as a locally assembled model. Honda customized the Indonesian model to include face-to-face third-row seating, making it a seven-seater vehicle to take advantage of the tax regulations in the country. The rear foglamp was also reconfigured as a fourth and fifth brake light.
Facelift
For the 2000 model year, the European, Australian and Asian CR-V models featured more drastic changes. Exterior alterations included a new front bumper, smoothed off rear bumper, and a smaller plastic radio antenna on the rear of the roof. Some of the paint options changed. European models received an enlarged Honda emblem on the front grille, and a new metallic yellow paint in certain markets.
The engine was changed to the 2.0L B20Z engine, producing at 6,200rpm and of torque at 4,500rpm. This improved performance for the vehicle. Fuel economy of city/ highway (US) and price were not affected by the increase in power, which was the result of a higher compression ratio (9.6:1 compared to the B20B's 8.8:1), a new intake manifold, and slightly higher lift on the intake valves. This 16 percent increase in power resulted to a faster 0–60 mph of 8.6 seconds on the 5-speed manual 4wd.
In 2000, an SE (Special Edition) model was introduced in North America. The SE featured body-coloured bumpers and side moldings, a body-coloured hard spare tire cover, leather upholstery, CD/cassette audio deck, rear privacy glass, and chrome grille accent. Until 2001, the CR-V sold more than any other vehicle in its class. The North American models also received new exterior colours including Naples Gold Metallic and Taffeta White. Electron Blue was introduced in 2000 to replace Submarine Blue Pearl, while Satin Silver Metallic replaced Sebring Silver Metallic in 2001. However, that year, sales of the Ford Escape and its clone, the Mazda Tribute, surpassed those of the CR-V.
The Australian higher specification model was called the "Sport". It was added at the time of the first facelift and included body-coloured bumpers, mirrors, door handles, and hard rear spare wheel cover. It also included alloy wheels, roof rails, and a large glass sunroof. The CR-V became Australia's best-selling SUV in 2000, outselling the Toyota Land Cruiser for the first time.
Safety The 1997–2001 model tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIFHS) was the LX model with standard driver and passenger airbags. The car's structure received an acceptable rating, and the overall car received a marginal rating — as the dummy's left leg would have been broken. In addition to this lower body injury, the dummy's head went through the airbag which may have caused a minor concussion. The chest was well protected.
Models equipped with an automatic transmission now had an override cancel button that allowed the driver to lock the transmission in the first three gears to provide power for passing and climbing grades along with providing hill assist when stationary, known as "Grade Logic." The pattern of the cloth on the seats was also redesigned, and the head restraints earned an acceptable rating from the IIHS for whiplash protection.
Engines +Model namePowerCapacityFuelYear of constructionB20Z2148 HP1,972 ccPetrol1998–2001B20B4128 HP1,973 ccPetrol1996–1998B20Z1147 HP1,973 ccPetrol1999–2002B20B128 HP1,973 ccPetrol1995–2001
Second generation (2002)
The second generation CR-V, which went on sale on 13 November 2001, was a full redesign, based on the seventh generation Civic, and powered by the K24A1 engine, or the K20A4 engine in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian models produced of power and while the North American versions of the new engine produced and of torque. Per new SAE regulations, the same North American K24A1 engine is now rated at and . The new CR-V retained the fuel economy of the previous model because of the i-VTEC system. The new chassis had increased torsional and bending rigidity, the suspension included a front toe control link MacPherson struts and a rear reactive-link double wishbone; the compact rear suspension increased cargo space to . The second generation CR-V was Car and Driver magazine's Best Small SUV for 2002 and 2003.
Second generation CR-Vs in countries outside of North America were again offered in both "low specification" and "high specification" variants, with the latter featuring body-coloured bumpers and fittings. It also now did not require the glass hatch to be opened before the swinging door. Changes between model years 2002, 2003, and 2004 were minor, involving an enlargement of the centre compartment bin and the addition of a front passenger door power lock in the latter two years, respectively. The Honda FR-V was based on the second generation CR-V.
In China, a clone from Shuanghuan Auto, called the Laibao S-RV, became the centre of a design rights controversy, because the latter appeared to be a blatant copy of Honda's design.
Facelift
In 2004, for the 2005 model year, the CR-V received a mid-cycle refresh. New 16-inch wheels replaced the previous 15-inch versions. Changes included new taillights and headlights with clear indicators and separate H1 bulbs for low beam and high beam, the previous setup used an H4 single bulb for both low beam and high beam. The taillights received clear lenses instead of amber for the turning indicators. The grille was also changed; it had two horizontal bars instead of one. The front bumper design was slightly changed to round fog lights compared to the previous trapezium fog lights and, in addition, the lower grille had two horizontal bars instead of one. The rear bumper reflectors were longer and narrower.
On the inside of the car, the EX trim received standard upgrades which included steering wheel-mounted audio controls, an outside temperature monitor and also an electric sunroof. The stereo system was also XM Satellite Radio ready in US-market vehicles. All CR-V models also received redesigned rear seat headrests, intended to improve rear visibility.
Mechanically, the 2005 model was also changed. A drive-by-wire throttle was implemented for all CR-Vs. The all-wheel drive system's engagement threshold was altered for improved response. US market models were equipped with a five-speed automatic, as opposed to the previous four-speed automatic.
In the United States and Canada, all 2005 MY and later CR-Vs have anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, traction control and Vehicle Stability Assist, front seat-mounted side airbags, and side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors for all occupants.
In Australia, the MY05 facelift went on sale in late 2004. Base models made do with only dual airbags and ABS as standard equipment, while the Sport came equipped with side airbags for the first time. Curtain airbags were not available on any model until the next generation.
Following the tradition of adding a trim level above the EX during the refresh, like the first generation CR-V, Honda added the SE trim level for the 2005 CR-V. The CR-V SE featured painted bumpers, body side molding, and a hard, body-coloured spare tire cover. Honda introduced leather seats to the CR-V for the first time with this trim, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and front seats.
Australia This iteration of CR-V arrived in Australia on 1 January 2002, and initially came in two guises, "Base" and "Sport". The "CR-V" (or "Base") included dual front airbags, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, and a CD player. Building upon the "CR-V" specification, the Sport added ABS, Cruise Control, a sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog-lights, and body coloured bumpers and mirrors. Consistently selling very well within the Medium SUV segment within the previous generation, amassing over 40,000 units between 1997 and 2001, the second generation continued its success, becoming the best selling SUV in 2002 and selling over 12,000 units.
Several "Special Edition" models were released, beginning in 2003. The "Winter Classic" and "Sport Winter Classic" were sold in Winter/Spring 2003. Building upon the "Base", the Winter Classic added alloy wheels, side steps, and a tow bar, while the Sport Winter Classic gained roof racks, nudge bar, and foglights, but did without the towbar. Later within this iteration, in 2005, an SE model was launched, featuring rear parking sensors, nudge bar and 16-inch alloy wheels. It was sold between October and November 2005. Running throughout 2006, the CR-V "Extra" brought with it 16-inch alloy wheels and side airbags.
Philippines