Description of generations of the car Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V — compact five-door crossover (SUV, J-segment), which is produced by the Japanese company Honda from 1995 to the present. Shares the same platform with "Civic". The name "CR-V" stands for "compact recreational vehicle", which translates from English as "compact recreational vehicle". In the crossover line, it stands between the mid-size "Pilot" and the subcompact "HR-V". The petrol or diesel engine is located transversely at the front. The drive is mostly all-wheel drive, there are cheaper models with front-wheel drive. In the United States, about 4.7 million cars were sold during the entire production period.

The main classmates and competitors are Audi Q3, BMW X3, Chevrolet Captiva, Cherry Tiggo, Citroen C-Crosser, Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson, Infiniti QX30, Jeep Cherokee, Kia Sportage, Land Rover Freelander, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan Qashqai, Nissan X-Trail, Opel Antara, Peugeot 4007, Renault Duster, Skoda Kodiaq, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Vitara, Suzuki SX4, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan.

First generation (RD1-RD3, 1995−2001)

The first generation appeared in 1995 in Japan and the car became the first crossover developed by Honda. For the North American market, the CR-V was presented at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show with sales starting in February 1997. The car body is load-bearing, the suspension is independent with two wishbones. Inside, the rear seats could be folded down, and a fold-out picnic table was stowed in the rear floor area. At first, there was only one trim level, the "LX." On the outside, plastic trim covers the front and rear bumpers, as well as the fender wells. Later, an "EX" trim level was added, which included anti-lock brakes and 15-inch alloy wheels. The total length of the car was 4510 mm, width 1780 mm, height 1678-1725 mm. After 1999, the height was 1745-1770 mm.

Since its release, only one engine has been installed - a four-cylinder petrol engine with a volume of 2.0 liters (1973 cm³, B20B) 126 hp. The engine used a one-piece cylinder liner design, typical of any other "B" series engine. The transmission is a 5-speed manual "SBXM AWD" or "SKH FWD", as well as a 4-speed automatic "MDMA" or "MDLA".

In 1999, the model was updated. The engine was replaced with a two-liter "B20Z2" with a capacity of 147 hp, which had a positive effect on the dynamics of the one and a half ton vehicle. Fuel consumption was 10 liters per 100 km when driving in the city, 8.4 liters per 100 km on the highway. The appearance of the bumpers has also changed and new body colors have appeared.

In 2000, an "SE" trim level was introduced in North America (Special Edition), which was equipped with colored bumpers and side trims, a colored spare tire cover, leather upholstery, a CD/cassette audio system, tinted rear window, a Navtech navigation system and a chrome grille, as well as new paint colors.

The 1997 model was tested by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with front airbags. The body was rated "acceptable" and the overall rating was "marginal" due to the dummy's broken leg, while the head restraints were rated "acceptable".

The American agency "National Highway Traffic Safety Administration" (NHTSA) also conducted crash tests of the 2001 car, the results were as follows:

• Front Impact (Driver) - 4 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Impact (Passenger) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Passenger) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Car Flip - 3 out of 5 stars

Second generation (RD4-RD9, 2002−2006)

The second generation appeared in 2002 and shares a platform with "Civic" seventh generation. The new chassis had increased torsional and bending rigidity. The length of the car was 4535 mm (4600 mm after 2005), width 1785 mm, height 1680-1800 mm. The trunk volume was increased due to the increase in the length of the car and the use of a compact rear suspension. Popular American magazine "Car and Driver" gave the car the "Best Compact Crossover" award in 2002 and 2003.


The engines installed were four-cylinder petrol engines with a capacity of 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, K20A4, 150 hp) and 2.4 liters (2354 cm³, K24A1, 160 hp). For the first time, a 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine was installed (2204 cm³, N₂ 2A1, 140 hp). The car has retained the fuel consumption of the previous generation model thanks to the "i-VTEC" system. The gearbox is a 5-speed manual or 4- and 5-speed automatic. The drive is all-wheel drive, there is also a more budget-friendly front-wheel drive.


In 2005, the model was updated. New 16-inch wheels were installed, the rear lights, headlights, fog lights, radiator grille, front bumper design and rear bumper reflectors were changed. A temperature sensor was installed in the cabin and the rear seat headrests were changed. Vehicles for the North American market now come equipped with ABS, electronic brake force distribution, dynamic stability control, traction control, side airbags and rollover sensors. The most expensive trim levels had leather upholstery, leather steering wheel, and heated side mirrors and front seats.

Third generation (RE1-RE5, RE7, 2007−2011)

In September 2006, the third generation of the Honda SRV went on sale as a 2007 model. The first thing that catches your eye is the lack of a spare tire on the rear door (it was put in the trunk), and the back door began to open upwards instead of sideways. The length of the car was 4518 mm, the width 1820 mm and the height 1704 mm. The length was reduced because the spare wheel no longer increases it, and the center of gravity was also lowered. Trim levels were "LX", "EX" and "EX-L". The car was one of the top ten best-selling cars of 2007. It overtook "Ford Explorer", which held the title for fifteen years (1991–2006) as the best-selling SUV in the United States.

Petrol engines were represented by the following models: 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, R20A1/R20A2, 148 hp) and 2.4 liters (2354 cm³, K24Z1, 166 hp). The diesel engine was carried over from the second generation. The gearbox was a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic.

The EX-L trim level came with an Alpine voice-activated navigation system, satellite radio, a CD player or 6-CD changer that could play MP3 files, and a rear backup camera.

In 2010, an update was carried out, affecting the design, transmission and equipment. The exterior appearance has been changed thanks to a new front and rear bumper, a new chrome grille, new taillights and new 17-inch alloy wheels. The interior has received minor changes. The audio system controls have been redesigned. The backlight of the information display in the indicators has been changed to blue. The power of the 2.4-liter engine was increased to 180 hp. Fuel consumption was 11 liters per 100 km in the city and 8.7 liters per 100 km on the highway.

The European agency "Euro NCAP" conducted a safety test of the 2007 model, see the results in the table on the right. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test ratings for the 2008 model year are as follows:

• Frontal Strike - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Kick - 5 out of 5 stars
• Car Flip - 4 out of 5 stars

Fourth generation (RM1, RM3, RM4, 2012−2016)

The fourth generation was presented to the public in November 2011 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Sales began in December 2011 as a 2012 model. The length of the car was 4529 mm, width 1819 mm, height 1654 mm. The engine is located transversely in the front, which works together with the intelligent all-wheel drive system "Real-Time All-Wheel Drive". There was also a more budget-friendly option with front-wheel drive.

For different markets, four-cylinder petrol engines of the following volumes were used: 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, R20A, 148 hp), 2.4 liters (2354 cm³, K24Z1, 166 hp) and 2.4 liters (2356 cm³, K24W, 185 hp). There were two models of 1.6-liter diesel engines (1598 cm³, N16A1, i-DTEC, 118 hp) and 2.2 liters (2199 cm³, N₂ 2B, i-DTEC, 148 hp). The transmission is a 6-speed manual, 5- or 9-speed automatic, and also a continuously variable transmission.

In October 2014, the updated 2015 model year CR-V went on sale. New features include an engine with direct injection "Earth Dreams" and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This made it possible to increase the car's fuel efficiency. The suspension dampers, springs, anti-roll bars and lower control arms have been updated to improve ride quality.

The top-level trim includes forward collision warning with collision braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control, as well as a power tailgate, power seats with memory, power side mirrors with memory, projector headlights and turn signals integrated into the side mirrors.

The American agency "National Highway Traffic Safety Administration" (NHTSA) conducted crash tests of the 2012 car:

• Front Impact (Driver) - 4 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Impact (Passenger) - 4 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (front passenger) — 5 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (rear passenger) — 5 out of 5 stars
• Tip-over Resistance - 4 out of 5 stars

NHTSA retested in 2016:

• Front Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Impact (Passenger) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Passenger) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Tip-over Resistance - 4 out of 5 stars

The American organization "Insurance Institute for Highway Safety" (IIHS) also conducted crash tests:

• Frontal Test with Partial Overlap - Good
• Frontal Small Overlap Test (Pre-2014) - Extreme
• Frontal Small Overlap Test (since 2015) - Good
• Side Kick - Good
• Roof Strength - Good

The European agency Euro NCAP also conducted its tests on the 2013 model, see the results in the table.

Fifth generation (RW1–RW6, 2017–present)

The fifth generation CR-V was unveiled in October 2016 in Detroit, and sales began in December 2016 as a 2017 model. It shares the same platform as the "Civic" tenth generation. The body length is 4587 mm, width 1854 mm, height 1679-1689 mm and the unladen weight is 1500-1593 kg. Production is carried out in Japan, India, Indonesia, Canada, China, Malaysia, Mexico, USA, Taiwan and Thailand.

Three models of 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engines are installed (1498 cm³, L15B7 VTC turbo, 190 hp), 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, R20A2, 148 hp) and 2.4 liters (2356 cm³, K24W, 185 hp). There is also one 1.6-liter turbodiesel (1598 cm³, N16, i-DTEC, I4, 160 hp). Petrol engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT variator), and the diesel engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission "ZF".

Plastic bag "Honda Sensing", which includes features such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision braking and lane keeping assist, are standard on EX trims and above. New safety features also include blind spot information with rear cross traffic monitor, automatic high beam headlights, LED daytime running lights, and an electronic parking brake with a new automatic hold function. Additional new features include an electric tailgate, active louvers in the radiator grille to reduce drag, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support on an updated 7-inch touchscreen display with volume control, and LED headlights.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted safety tests on the 2017 model, and the results were as follows:

• Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Front Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Impact (Passenger) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Driver) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Impact (Passenger) - 5 out of 5 stars
• Tip-over Resistance - 4 out of 5 stars

Honda CR-V 5, interior

Honda CR-V 5, trunk

Honda CR-V 5, rear seats