Honda CR-V celebrates 30 years

BEATEN to the punch by Toyota’s RAV4 by a smidge over two years, Honda’s riposte, the five seat CR-V small crossover SUV, has been described by its maker as “category defining”, a claim that may be disputed elsewhere.

However, the initially small segment, now mid-sized Honda is into its sixth generation and has forged a solid place in the annals of automotive history remaining popular for 30 years as of this month.

Along the way, it has sold up a storm with more than 13 million finding a home globally since launching back in 1997, about 250,000 of them right here in Australia.

Sharing a similar formula as the RAV4, the monocoque CR-V (for Comfortable Runabout Vehicle), ran a non-VTEC, 2.0-litre single cam petrol four cylinder engine with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission and a Real Time on-demand all-wheel-drive system that was handy in some low traction environments.

Pricing started from $29,990 excluding on-road costs for the base model back in 1997, the kick off figure has now segued to $51,800 for an equivalent entry level AWD CR-V today.

Though never seriously challenging RAV4 sales, the CR-V has been a consistent performer in the highly competitive medium SUV segment and remains so to this day although the RAV4 has skipped ahead hugely with the current generation.

The model first appeared in Japan in 1995 arriving Down Under two years later and was one of the advance guard of compact SUVs on the market offering a tempting, family-oriented package with a spacious interior, comfortable ride, decent performance and equipment levels and Honda reliability.

It was also easy on the eye with its chunky styling and tailgate-mounted spare wheel.

The model was conceived and built during a purple patch for Honda with engineering boffins defining the “weekend-ready model with, among other things cool kit like a removable picnic table integrated into the cargo floor that could be used to pitch up for lunch any time, any place”.

Honda says over the following generations, CR-V made major step changes in packaging and safety, while its body shape began to evolve to a sportier silhouette.

“Complementing design changes was a suite of functional innovations paired with leading-driving dynamics, courtesy of real time AWD ensuring CR-V’s handling remained composed in all conditions,” it said in a statement.

Mirroring the broader market, gen’ five CR-V took a giant technological leap forward in 2017 with Honda Sensing ADAS features including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM).

Honda Australia director automotive Rob Thorp said CR-V’s reputation as a trusted family SUV was well-earned and would continue into the future.

“For 30 years, the CR-V has earned the trust of families by being comfortable, engaging to drive, and packed with useful and usable innovations,” he said.

“The CR-V set the benchmark for SUV drivability when it launched on a car-like unibody platform and today it continues to set benchmarks as we prepare to rollout Honda’s best-in-class hybrid powertrain across the CR-V range.”

The latest sixth generation CR-V maintains its family-oriented formula with five and seven-seat options and powered by a hybrid powertrain complemented by an efficient petrol variant.

Technological innovations and features in the current CR-V include Honda Connect that allows drivers to remotely lock and unlock their vehicle, set internal temperatures, view vehicle status and geo-locate the vehicle, all from the convenience of their mobile phone.

Honda says 2026 will see expanded CR-V hybrid powertrain availability “providing more Honda drivers the opportunity to enjoy the performance and efficiency benefits on offer”.