2007 Honda CR-V Review

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission is the only powertrain combination offered on the 2007 Honda CR-V; the five-speed manual previously standard has been discontinued.

The engine makes 166 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque. That's 10 horsepower more than last year's model, and the engine has been tuned to be more responsive at lower revs. A Drive-by-Wire throttle control matches with the transmission for better drivability on hills. Front-wheel drive is standard on the CR-V; the optional Real Time 4WD system is tuned for on-road driving, with power going to the front wheels during most driving but with some sent to the rear wheels as needed on slippery surfaces.

Fuel economy is near the top of its class, at 23 city, 30 highway for the front-wheel-drive version.

With a four-wheel independent suspension (MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link setup in back), plus a more rigid body structure, the new CR-V has improved handling, while the use of more sound-absorption materials helps make the interior quieter, according to Honda.

The CR-V continues with two rows of seating and space for five, but the interior has been completely redesigned, with more standard equipment, more storage compartments, and clever features like a retractable center tray table, dual gloveboxes, and various cupholders.

Three trim levels are available: LX, EX, and EX-L. There's no stripped-down base model; the LX includes a wide range of standard equipment like air conditioning, a CD sound system with MP3 compatibility and auxiliary input jack, tilt/telescope steering adjustment, and power windows, locks, and mirrors. The EX adds a moonroof, chrome trim, a dual-deck cargo shelf, upgraded audio with six speakers and a six-disc changer, among other additional equipment, while the top EX-L brings leather upholstery and a top audio system that has XM Satellite Radio compatibility and a subwoofer. A navigation system with voice recognition and a rear-view camera is available only on the EX-L.

On EX and EX-L models, a dual-deck cargo shelf can hold up to 20 pounds of cargo on top while leaving space for full-size grocery bags on the bottom. The back seat is split 60/40 and can fold forward as needed to expand the cargo floor.

The CR-V adopts Honda's ACE Body Structure, which improves frontal crash performance and allows better crash compatibility with vehicles of varying sizes. Front-seat side air bags and full-length side-curtain bags are standard on all CR-Vs, along with active head restraints. Vehicle Stability Assist and four-channel anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution are standard on all CR-V models as well.
Honda's compact, carlike CR-V sport-utility vehicle has been completely redesigned for 2007. It's slightly wider than before, and ground clearance is also a few inches lower because the spare tire is no longer hanging off a side-hinged rear door (a conventional top-hinged hatch is now standard). Cargo space is also increased slightly, but new features like the dual-deck cargo shelf improve convenience. The CR-V still only offers a four-cylinder engine-though the engine gets a 10-hp boost and automatic transmission is now standard-and the Real Time 4WD system has been reworked for improved torque transfer to the rear wheels. see less