2003 Honda CR-V

Transforming an already-excellent sport-utility vehicle into a superior one was a demanding, if essential, task for Honda developers—but one they completely lived up to with the new-for-2002 CR-V. After its 1997 debut, the CR-V quickly reached the top of its class after its 1997 debut. Now, the second-generation CR-V has set an all-time sales record for 2002—and returns in 2003 with an additional color scheme and interior upgrades.

The 2003 CR-V has a clean overall look led by a short, sharply raked nose, with high-visibility taillights bringing up the rear.

Honda wanted a "major leap forward," said chief engineer Takahiro Hachigo, for the redesigned CR-V, so to help decide on a plan, Honda folks actually visited CR-V users in their homes. Respondents declared that the CR-V's size was just right. What they disliked were its engine power, cabin space and cargo room. In addition to working on those issues, designers got busy to try and make the CR-V more stylish and sleek. As a result, the second-generation CR-V has a cleaner overall look, led by a short, sharply raked nose, with high-visibility taillights bringing up the rear. Though only slightly larger externally, the latest CR-V design offers eight more cubic feet of passenger volume (now 106). With the back seat folded down, cargo volume totals 72 cubic feet.


Engineers also strengthened the structure. Bending rigidity is 30 percent better than before, while torsional rigidity is up by 50 percent. As for that perceived power shortage, a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produces 160 horsepower—a 10-percent increase. Torque output has risen by 22 percent, suggesting improved acceleration. Promising greater fuel efficiency as well, the new engine meets 2004 emissions requirements and earns an EPA gas-mileage average of 22 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.


The new engine is available with either a floor-shifted manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission that operates with "intelligent" grade logic. A CR-V LX can have either front-drive or Honda's Real Time four-wheel drive, but the EX edition is 4WD only. Turning to safety, a bumper beam has been added to make the CR-V more compatible with passenger cars in a collision. Side-impact airbags are standard in the four-wheel-drive EX model and optional in the others. All-disc brakes are new, with antilock braking included on the EX model.

Comfortably fit for five, the CR-V sports firm but well-cushioned seats and advanced dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags.

A moonroof is standard on the EX, as is privacy glass. A couple of curiosities may be found inside. Instead of being mounted on the steering column, as before, the auto-gearshift lever now protrudes from the dashboard. So does the parking-brake lever, which is actually part of what appears to be a grab handle—matching an authentic passenger grab handle on the right side. Both seem strange at first, and could make some prospects uneasy, but they operate easily once you get used to the idea.