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Having arrived in the U.S. in Mid February, 1997, the Honda CR-V, "Comfortable Runabout Vehicle" has been available in Japan since October, 1995, where the sales of CR-V's have outpaced Toyota's RAV4's three to one. Honda revved up the development of the U.S. version after the successful U.S. launch of the RAV4. Both the RAV4 and the CR-V are entries into the "personal-sport utility" market segment, that has shown such astronomical growth in Japan, by combining the characteristics of a sport utility with the amenities and roadability of family sedan or wagon.
Equipped with double wishbone independent suspension at all four wheels, the CR-V's 16-valve DOHC 2.0 liter engine transfers its power to either the front wheels or to all four wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission equipped with Honda's Grade Logic Control System that minimizes unnecessary up and down shifting while climbing hills and automatically shifts down to utilize engine braking, during descents. While normally a front-wheel drive vehicle, Honda's Real Time™ on-demand 4X4 system utilizes sophisticated hydraulics to deliver the appropriate amount of torque to the rear wheels as the front wheels begin to loose traction.
The CR-V is considerably larger than the current crop of so-called "mini-sport utilities" and comes very close in size to some of the more expensive "compact sport utilities". At 176.4" in overall length, the CR-V is nearly identical to the Isuzu Rodeo (aka Honda Passport), but is 2 inches wider. While the Jeep Cherokee is almost 11 inches shorter and 1.5 inches wider than the CR-V.
Though the price for the CR-V has been targeted below $20,000.00, the CR-V comes with all of the above mentioned features plus: dual airbags, air conditioning, tinted glass, power locks, power windows, power mirrors, stereo system with 4 speakers, cruise control, rear window wiper and washer, and even a folding picnic table. Quite a bargain considering the price of most comparable "compact sport utilities" is near $30,000.00.
Preliminary Specifications:
- Projected Target Price: Under $20,000.00
- Vehicle Type: 5-passenger, 4 door, front/four wheel drive sport utility
- Engine: 2.0 liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 126bhp SAE net
- Torque: 135 lb-feet @ 4300 RPM
- Transmission: Electronic 4-speed automatic w/On-demand 4WD
- EPA mileage estimate: 22/25 City/Highway
- Suspension: 4-wheel independent double wishbone
- Steering: Power-assisted Rack-and-pinion
- Restraint: Dual air bags
- Features: Air conditioning w/micron pollen air filter, High Power AM/FM Stereo w/4-speaker system, power window, power door locks, power mirrors, adjustable steering, tinted glass, cruise control, cup holders, rear wiper/washer, removable folding picnic table.
- Overall Length: 176.4 in.
- Overall Width: 68.9 in.
- Overall Height: 66.7 in.
- Cargo Volume: 27.5 Cubic Feet
- Option Package
- Anti-lock braking system(ABS) and exclusive 15" aluminum alloy wheels
- Available Colors (U.S. Version)
- Cypress Green Pearl
- Flamenco Black Pearl
- San Marino Red
- Sebring Silver Metallic
- Supermarine Blue Pearl
To CR-V Official Pricing Information Notice: Yellow vehicle color shown above is not available in the U.S version of CR-V.
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