Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV manufactured by Honda. It was derived from the Honda Civic platform to satisfy a public demand for an SUV from Honda. The name CR-V stands for "Compact Recreational Vehicle" (not comfortable runabout vehicle, as it is sometimes incorrectly referred to). It is available in both all wheel drive and front wheel drive, although in some markets such as the United Kingdom only all wheel drive is offered.

Honda produces CR-Vs in the United Kingdom and Japan for the American market. Production will move to one of its Ohio plants in 2006. The CR-V is produced for the Chinese market by the Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company, a joint venture with Honda.

Overview

The CR-V was Honda's first in-house designed SUV and was originally intended only to be a niche vehicle. It was introduced in Japan in 1996. There was hesitant effort to market the vehicle since many felt the car did not have potential to sell alongside its predecessor the Honda Passport. It was displayed for the first time on American soil at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show. Citing strong sales from the comparable Toyota RAV4 upon its release, it was then brought to the American market in February 1997. Shortly afterwards, CR-V sales outpaced those of the RAV4, and has maintained strong sales and accolades ever since.

First generation

The original CR-V design spanned from 1996 to 1998. Its introduction had only one model trim which would later be known as the LX model trim. The engine for the original CR-V would be the 2.0 L B20B producing 126 hp (94 kW) and 133 ft·lb (180 N·m) of torque. Outer dimensions for this engine would be identical to the 1.8L Integra engine, but internally the engine was bored out to add the extra displacement needed to produce torque for the mini-ute. The engine utilized a one-peice cylinder sleeve construction unique from any other B-series engine (due to overlaping chambers). Body was a unibody design with a 4-wheel double wishbone suspension. Inside, the rear seats were able to fold down, and a picnic table was stowed in the rear floor area. A common external trait that was visible with this generation was plastic cladding covering the front bumper, rear bumper, and fender wells. In most countries, CR-Vs had a chrome grille, but the US model lacked this. A major difference between the LX and EX trims was that the EX had anti-lock brakes and the LX trim did not.