Four generations of change haven't shifted Honda's approach to its successful CR-V compact crossover: innovative packaging and a high-quality driving experience appear in most of the reviews Motor Trend has written about the vehicle. Take our review of the first-generation 1997 Honda: "The CR-V is a marvel of interior packaging, with more functional passenger and cargo space than most other sport/utes under $30,000."
That could have easily appeared in the review of the 2012 model, which we noted still has reclining rear seats and more legroom than most sedans. About that 1997 CR-V, our tester had a 126-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that proved to be the only dynamic weak point in an otherwise solid package. Acceleration from 0-60 mph took 11.7 seconds though by the 1999 model year, a 146-hp variant was introduced.
Other updates for 1999 didn't interfere with the most amusing CR-V feature: an on-board picnic table. Our review of the 1999 CR-V was gushing: "Blessed with easy entry/exit and an elevated seating position, it's a breeze to maneuver in traffic, a snap to park, quite adept at light off-road duty in AWD configuration, and still provides great room for four adults on long runs and five for short stints."
Even so, we couldn't help but suggest Honda drop a V-6 under the CR-V's hood for a sport-tuned variant -- something we have yet to see.
Once Honda refreshed the second-generation model, we reviewed the 2005 CR-V, appreciating a growing list of standard and optional features plus excellent fuel economy and communicative steering. We weren't fans of the cheap interior materials, though.
By the 2007 model year, Honda's CR-V was renewed again, with an upgraded 166-hp four-cylinder engine that didn't really change performance: "Combine that with the 60 or so pounds the CR-V gained, and it's no surprise it doesn't blow the doors off the competition."
That trait hasn't changed, unfortunately, for the 2012 model, which still uses a five-speed automatic transmission: "Honda has made the five-speed's gears longer for better efficiency, to the detriment of passing performance. Drop the hammer, and you'll often find yourself in a higher gear than you'd like, and below the powerband, which peaks rather high in the rev range."
