2003 Honda CR-V EX 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

This is a great little car, well worth the money

Faults:

The cruise control was improperly adjusted and when "resuming" speed, I felt like the car was being shot from a cannon. The dealer fixed it.

I have had two factory recall notices already.

General Comments:

This is a great little mini SUV.

The all wheel drive is wonderful. I don't use it until I need it.

The back seat has the most room of all the mini SUV's I looked at before I bought the CR-V.

Everyone should check out the included picnic table!

I think the finishes could be better.

The shift lever was in an odd location, but one gets used to it.

The creative use of the brake lever placement was wonderful.

The room between the front seats, with the tray down, is very useful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th February, 2004

2003 Honda CR-V EX 2.4 from North America

Summary:

Well worth the money

Faults:

Vehicle was subject to a recall for a manufacturer's defect in the braking system.

General Comments:

The CR-V is a great hybrid of small car responsiveness and four wheel drive utility.

Not a car for serious off-roading, but great for highway and bad weather conditions.

The added height from the four wheel platform gives great visibility.

The interior is spacious and roomy, with lots of little extras.

I have used the folding table!

The vehicle is very reliable, down to the smallest of features.

There have been no loose knobs or buttons.

The most serious problem has been keeping my wife from behind the steering wheel.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd January, 2004

2003 Honda CR-V EX 2.4 in-line from North America

Summary:

Somewhat of a let down

General Comments:

Feeling or vulnerability in the car possibly due to the higher center of gravity and narrower track (wheelbase). The rollover note tacked to the interior is not comforting though certainly appropriate. What is the problem with making cars with a better center-of-gravity compared to width.

RealTime 4WD is a trademark and not at all what I expected. It is basically 2WD unless traction is lost. Honda needs a more honest up-front term. The term seems made to deceive.

Performance is OK. It's a 4 cylinder. The car is only a week old.

I bought EX, expecting some luxury features like lumbar support--none; better than average seat comfort and adjustments for driver--none; headrest is very uncomfortable; poor soundproofing, lots of wind noise particularly around sunroof like the el cheapo rental car I had for a while. The color, Mojave Mist, is darker than expected, but I do like the similar match between inside and out.

Gas mileage is almost 1/2 what I have been getting in a Honda Civic and Honda Accord. I've gone from 500 miles per tank down to 300.

Cup holders are too small (diameter) in that little pop-up tray between the seats.

Options are very expensive, even without labor costs.

The dealership ran a credit check withOUT my permission which should be illegal.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st January, 2003

1st Feb 2003, 03:54

High center of gravity (c.g) is a trademark of all 4WD off-roaders and many MPVs. Unfortunately, the ratio (track width) / (c.g. height) is not equal to one. That is, if the c. g height is increased by, say, x inches, the increase in track width should certainly be a multiple of x. I recall reading of a ratio of 3 to 1, ie a 3-inch increase of track width is necessary to compensate for one inch increase of c. g height (although I cannot be sure that this is actually a fixed ratio). Thus, for practical reasons (and provided that suspension stiffness is not altered), it is difficult to exactly compensate the off-roaders' higher c.g.

On the other hand, the CR-V system is effectively a part-time automatically activated 4WD system and Honda never disguised this fact. "Real time" refers to the automatic (and supposedly...) quick activation of the rear diff when needed (a "real time" response). Anyway, a thorough research (= reading the press) is certainly advisable before investing in a new car.

27th Feb 2003, 13:29

Did you test drive this vehicle?? If you have only had it a week, perhaps you should go out and drive it a little, get to know it, because the real-time isn't a 4x4 sure, but when you know how to use it right, you can make it come on almost anytime you need it, I promise, it will be more enjoyable for you once you drive it more, and see what you are driving, then go drive a Sportage in comparison, and re-write this survey, oh yeah, try a tracker too, you think the CR-V feels tippy :>

In reply to 27th Feb 2003, 13:29

19th Mar 2003, 09:00

"the real-time isn't a 4x4 sure, but when you know how to use it right, you can make it come on almost anytime you need it, I promise"

OH REALLY?!?!?!?

And how do you think you can do that?

Please don't suggest something abusive and irresponsible like riding the brakes and giving it throttle, or applying the parking brake while giving throttle.

Granted, I would have better liked to have manual control over the 4wd, because we know that engaging it BEFORE you enter a situation where you need it is the safer and smarter way to go. But as long as it works for me (and it does) I am happy with it. You didn't mention the lack of low range 4wd, but the vehicle isn't made for, or marketed to be used in situations where that would be needed.

I have about 1200 miles on my '03, and I love it.