SUVs. Actually good? 2007 Honda CR-V road test

[@daz3743]

Best gen of CRV. I've had mine on a 56 plate for almost 6 years and I love it. I have the 2 litre auto and got the ex model so all the extras thrown at it. Leather heated seats, sunroof, air con, electric everything. It's just a lovely car.

[@bigjohno242]

I had the 2.0 petrol version . My daily driver for 9 years . Great car

[@Robhalifax]

That's a car I like. Simple but attractive design.

[@robinwells8879]

Probably the best car I ever had and more reliable even than the later model I had. Excellent long distance cruiser and a splendid caravan tow vehicle. Lots of intelligent and quirky interior features. Highly recommended. Very easy to service. Sway bay drop links wear out but are cheap as chips.

[@roblloyd1879]

Love mine, had it for 7 years now. Get 45mpg with shell basic diesel fuel and on a very long run 52mpg. Acceleration is quick.

[@pablojones5613]

I actually think that the late noughties will be looked back on as a bit of a golden era in car design. The vehicles of the time were both technologically advanced, and yet simple at the same time. There was no needless complication like seat adjustment/HVAC/infotainment all controlled on a touch screen, as well as everything else that's a pain, and actually more dangerous to locate than a simple button or lever. Yes, newer cars have better secondary safety, but literally nothing on a touch screen can be done purely by feel, which in my mind at least makes them a retrograde step from what we had 10 years ago.

[@pauldavies6037]

I agree 100%

[@ZIGZAG12345]

Agree, I don't "hate technology", but those tablets are horrible on modern dashboards. Also funny how they spent years telling us how bad phones were, only to then graft an Android device with a touchscreen directly into the control-structure of the car itself...☹️

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@ZIGZAG12345 ...and some cars don't just have tablets stuck on the dashboard, they have entire computer monitors on there! The dash of the forthcoming 2024 VW Tiguan is one example among many.

[@pauldavies6037]

@@ZIGZAG12345 Same me cant beat the old Jags with all those Smiths gauges

[@pablojones5613]

@ZIGZAG12345 that's actually a brilliant point with the touch screens. I think they are a real safety issue, especially when primary controls are integrated into them.

[@shieldaigbencher]

You should get one of those mate. Not very HubNut though a Honda. Not much tinkering needed.

[@dunk8157]

The petrol versions are pretty bombproof. Diesels are nicer to drive but quite expensive when things go wrong.

[@kevinwhelan8126]

Give it another ten years and it should be HubNut enough lol!

[@graham6771]

​@@dunk8157The petrol only available in auto is way better to drive than the diesel manual no contest

[@aftergrowth]

The Civic, Jazz and CRV were all built in Swindon, having driven them off the line (some years ago I might add) they were all easy to drive.

[@davidrumming4734]

Are u sure about the Jazz… My one is Made in Japan (2019).

[@aftergrowth]

@@davidrumming4734 I was there in 2013

[@dunk8157]

The late 90s early 2000s Accords were too, nice cars.

[@dunk8157]

​@@davidrumming4734 They made the Jazz there, a trade deal and Brexit killed the factory off. Hence the 2019 car being made in Japan. Copied from wikipedia "In October 2009, HUM began production of the Jazz, which until then had been imported from Japan.[15] Production of the Jazz continued until 2014, when the new generation brought the model back to being imported from Japan. In September 2012, Honda announced a £267 million investment programme at the Swindon site, to support the introduction of new models of the Civic and CR-V, and a new 1.6 litre diesel engine.[16][17] The investment would take total investment at the site to around £1.5 billion, and would increase the workforce to 3,500.[16][17] Honda planned to invest £200 million ($300 million) to turn Swindon into the global production hub of the next generation of the Civic five-door hatchback, providing about half of its production for export markets.[18][19] It would bring cumulative investment in the plant to over £2.2 billion.[19] As part of the plan, the plant would stop production of the CR-V.[18] In 2018, production of the CR-V ended after making 1,209,174 vehicles.[6][20] The trade deal between Japan and the European Union, agreed in July 2017 and signed off in July 2018, put an end to import tariffs on car imports between the two economic zones. These had formed a significant part of the rationale for building the plant in 1985; what were termed by government as "Brexit uncertainties" after the 2016 referendum contributed further to doubt about the future of the plant.[21][22] In February 2019, Honda announced that the plant would close in 2021, with the loss of about 3,500 jobs in the area, and production shifting to Japan, North America and China."

[@stuartjones8238]

@@davidrumming4734 The Jazz was made in Swindon until 2014 (1st and 2nd Generation). After which manufacture went back to Japan from 3rd Gen onwards.

[@tehklevster]

I just bought the 2004 pre-facelift with the 2.0 petrol engine with 113k in May this year in exactly the same colour. It wasn't on my radar because I was after a replacement Volvo S60 D5, but I needed a vehicle. I didn't fall in love with it because I missed my MOT failed S60 and I'm a bit allergic to SUV's, but now I bloody love it. It also has a hubnut sticker on the back window which makes it even better :)

[@ramfrancisuk]

CRV's are great cars

[@MrAl68]

I have the 2.0 K-series Petrol. Mine is quite an early one (02 reg), yours is one of the last I reckon. Fantastic car and incredibly reliable.

[@HouseflyUK]

I had the same engine in my 2006 Civic. To say bomb proof is an understatement! I had my engine remapped to 165bhp and it was brilliant!

[@JamesG75]

I really like these. A friend gave me a lift in his 2006 CR-V which he's owned since new and I couldn't fault it at all. Excellent cars

[@conroy1275]

I have the same car. Had it 8 years, fantastic car and it tows very well.

[@TurboTimsWorld]

Some of the CRVs also had a shower built into the tailgate (the bungy strap pocket was the water tank)

[@gingerelvis]

Like many petrol heads I detest SUVs, they're usually just tall hatchbacks dressed up like a 4x4 but aren't any larger inside (the CRV does seem better than most). As a motorcyclist the rise of tall vehicles has totally obscured my visibility ahead and in the wet means a face full of spray. That being said I like a Honda and my neighbour has 2 identical crv's! There must be something in it but personally I want the estate to make a comeback!

[@CharlesSmith-zt7vt]

My dad's 1500 Simca estate had a very similar table in the boot. Very good looking car, I don't think many have survived though.

[@ZIGZAG12345]

Absolutely agree that the old-school bulge of torque at an easily accessible RPM is "that's what you want in a diesel". The Freelander diesel 2.2 is like that even though it's actually a common-rail and I liked that one too.

[@Danfazza-ey6mx]

Absolutely love the old 2.2 diesels in these Hondas, had a few of the spaceship civics with them, the last had done 196k and was still going strong when I sold it on.

[@richardsedding8444]

My 2008 Civic is only on 110k miles, the 2.2 diesel performs brilliantly, hope to keep the car a while longer.

[@dg115]

Crikey i just bought my uncles crv hes had for 16 years for 500 quid. Been a excellent car and i didn't want it going to the scrapper.

[@BigPaul62]

My best friend lived in Perth Australia for about 25 years and he bought a brand new one of these in 2002. His was a 2.4 VTEC petrol (not sold here I think) and was finished in a lovely metallic wine red. It was only a base model with the black bumpers but it was a real mile -eater of a car - when I was over there it went on several long journeys all over the southern part of Western Australia (Aussies best kept secret - the best bit imho). I drove it a lot but on extremely long journeys I found the seats a bit hard. My mate kept it until 2010 when he returned to the UK to care for his elderly parents. This was a much nicer looking model than the last two models have been.

[@twocvbloke]

I like that of all the features they could have added, the picnic table had to be the one they went with, gotta love Honda... :D

[@TassieLorenzo]

Meanwhile, never mind a picnic table... A lot of Italian auto makers are generous if they even you a driver's left side footrest in a right-hand-drive vehicle. 😉

[@-DC-]

Had a 2006 Petrol CRV was a really good vehicle if somewhat terrible on fuel, Surprised a few people in the Traffic Light GP mind revving out to 7k, You gotta love Honda 😘

[@shammbo1974]

We have this model and year CRV but the petrol engine. Brilliant and so reliable. Great review

[@FourIntoOne]

This (and the earlier Nissan X trail) are the perfect cars. For me. Love em to bits. Will hang on to my 2004 X trail for as long as I possibly can....

[@Julianpms]

I had a slightly later (2012) Accord Type-S saloon with a further developed version of the 2.2 diesel engine: 180bhp and a whopping 380Nm torque. The in-gear acceleration was outstanding, although the usable power band was quite narrow: it was sluggish below 1800rpm and became noisy over 3000rpm. The gearbox was a six-speed manual which had the superb shift quality the Japanese often do so well. I sold it when I needed an estate for a house move; I wish I had bought an Accord Type-S estate in the first place, I would definitely have kept it longer.

[@caw25sha]

Some people down the road used to have one of these with a spare wheel cover with HONDA at about a 30 degree angle. For some reason it really irritated me. I felt like sneaking out one dark night with a screwdriver and putting it straight.

[@theythinkitsallrover8106]

Lovely to see you both again Mr H. Glad you liked the crv as much as we do.

[@dunk8157]

Funny I was thinking yesterday "why doesnt Mr Hubnut review some Hondas?", as they are getting old enough now. I went from German cars to the British built Hondas and the difference in build quality and reliability is night and day. I almost cried when Honda shut the Swindon factory down :( You should do a video on the Mk8 Civic, thats the sporty one. Also the Accords are lovely cars. Still a bit sporty sporty but with nice big seats and more space. I would say if people are looking at these then go for the petrols, the petrols do not have any of the turbo, Dual Mass Flywheel, DPF, Injector, EGR problems and just keep going. The lack of faults might make your channel a bit more boring though, but as every day transport these cars are fantastic.

[@jcooper_]

What you describe there with the diesel power delivery is why I've come to really respect (dare I say enjoy?) the 1.9 TDI PD in my Octavia. It pulls so cleanly from about 1300rpm with no sudden turbo kick and feels meatier than its 105bhp on paper suggests. There's never really a reason to go above 3000rpm, but such lazy torque makes it effortless to drive. Shame diesels have met their demise, because for long distances I think they're still unbeaten.

[@BAGGIES6677]

My friend has a 2 0 which i have also driven extensively and mostly like, we did the NC500 in it and that picnic table came in very useful, we had camping hear plus a coolbox etc etc and it was fine, her one is an auto and whilst an auto suits the way you drive it quite well and its uber refined its still only a 4 speed auto and as such is quite thirsty and not especially quick, one positive for having an auto though is that its a column shift so it makes even more room by the folding table for storage. Also she had it a good 6 months before we realised there was a cd autochanger under the passenger seat

[@nekite1]

A work colleague of mine had one of these and he swore by it. I had a Mk8 Civic with the same engine - drove it for 10 years without a problem. Stonking engine with shedloads of torque. Towed my folding camper all over the place with it. The only downside is the clutch/DMF is very expensive to replace.

[@richardsmith5249]

I tried to buy one of those last year, but was thwarted by incompetent sellers. The Simca 1301/1501 had a picnic table, as did the original Suzuki Ignis, but you had to get the legs as an extra. The best mirrors were the ones on the Fiat Multipla.

[@CarWash811]

This gets huge thums up from me. I have had a lot of different cars and japanese has been the most reliable. Not the most comfortable apart from my ex 2001 Nissan Maxima V6 automatic what sadly met big lamp post and totaled it. Honda CR-V seems to tick all the boxes for me. Looks like it's lovely car.

[@johndilloway9762]

Just bought a 2004 automatic petrol SE sport, with 83000 miles, so relaxing to drive, no drama just does what you need it to do.

[@TheOmegastoopreme]

You could really tell how much Ian liked that. Sometimes it's matter of fact complimentary where appropriate, but that one? You could see the thought of wanting one going round the hub brain.....

[@bloodybrit]

I have driven many CRVs and they are all brilliant. The first generation were surprisingly nippy.

[@markwoods1530]

My first suv is a peugeot 4007 and its brilliant. Great DSG box and it will easily tow over 2 tons over the big mountains here. 225000 kms on it but i reckon its only halfway through its lifespan. Cars between 2002 and 2012 were very good

[@paulleggett9735]

They did the same engine in the quirky FRV 6 seater which is a car I'd love to see you review

[@leeholden8658]

We have the pre facelift 2003 CRV Petrol Auto and the gear lever is on the left between the steering wheel and radio,this gives you no centre console but you still have the collapsible table between the front seats. Pretty sure ours has the double wishbone front suspension,could be wrong. Also the Petrol has the same I-VTEC K20A engine as the Honda Civic and Integra producing 150bhp. We’ve owned ours 16 months,it’s our first car and done 12,500 miles in her so far. She is currently on 125k miles and we love her

[@HubNut]

All second gen CR-V have MacPherson strut, as the Civic did at that time.

[@GentilsGarage]

I really enjoyed this review, these are the kind of SUV I like as they seemed more purposeful compared to today’s offering.

[@TassieLorenzo]

The early crossover SUVs definitely have more of an off-roading style (and more thought?) put into them. But I guess the manufacturers soon realised most buyers never, ever actually take them off road hence the pivot to modern crossover SUVs that are mostly just tall, blobby hatchbacks.

[@bentullett6068]

These are great vehicles. As I have probably said previously my dad has the mk3 version that came after this model with the not so great looks. As a car its brilliant and he has took it off road and in a boggy field it doesn't get stuck like heavy Range Rovers. Interior wise its clever as the rear seats fold up easily to get loads of large items in. Plus its really comfortable to sit in both in the front and back.

[@alansorbie4038]

My dad bought one of these new and kept it for about 5 years, way longer than normal. It was very practical and pleasant although being tall and narrow it was’t a car for a B road blast….

[@craigmclean8260]

Nice road test; proper-looking design...That engine option was one I wished we'd gotten in the States--would've been nice if fitted to the Element, w/ a 6-speed stick!

[@MrOvershoot]

That era of a cars from a lot of manufacturers seem to have the switchgear applied with a shotgun, it's where it is because it landed there. Vauxhall were quite random in their approach to ergonomics IIRC

[@martinneumann7783]

I like the idea of that camping table in the boot. If there will be anything similar fitting in my Citroën C1, this will be a mobile furniture for the children of garden gnomes… 😂

[@stubarbs5172]

We owned this exact car a while back. We had 2 of the same model before it. My favourite feature was the floor plan. It was low and flat. No central console to climb over or take space in the front. With the tyre on the outside there was plenty of room in the boot for the Labrador who could only just see over the seats. And that area under the table was great storage for shoes and dog things. Fab for family holidays. A great car and I miss it.

[@AlasdairMacgillivray]

I had this exact model in the same colour & it was great! Ran it for ever she was a 2006 & I got it in 2016 & ran it till 2024. There was no major drama it sailed through every mot until 2 weeks ago. The suspension & power steering had corroded beyond cost-effective repair. If we didn't stay on the coast with salt in the air it would have ran longer. The engine still started 1st time & was reliable. We just there now upgraded to a newer version of the Honda CRV & we're very impressed.

[@Buffalobulltofta]

Every mechanic i have met own/or has owned one of these second generation CR-V's. Quality vehicles from an era when SUVs were actually utilitarian.

[@Jam3sA]

Had a friend who had one of these. He found it fairly reliable (& he had a reputation as a car-breaker!) The only things I remember going wrong were the dual-mass flywheel & a very whiny gearbox

[@tomselwyndavis]

Have you considered this engine in the Accord estate? A winning combination of style (although I think the saloon looks better (those tail lights 👌)) and the massssive boot are such a good combination. Absolutely eats up the miles!

[@PhilTheProf]

I had that! Accord 2.2 diesel estate. Great combination of car and engine. Got a stage 1 remap done and it was awesome.

[@SBBUK]

You want a K24 instead though ;) although in the CL/CM accord it has stupid gear ratios. CU/CW accord that got fixed.

[@Alexscott100]

My grandmother had 2 of these a 2003 EX-L 2.4 gas automatic AWD and a 2005 EX-L SE 2.4 gas automatic AWD. The 2005 had 255,000 miles or more when she got rid of it

[@chrisperyagh]

If you ever fancy doing a feature of mid noughties estate cars, I've got an early 2006 Accord 2.2 i-CDTi which could possibly be the earliest of the 2006 facelift model Accords to hit the UK roads as it was registered in late January 2006 and on a 55 plate when most others on 55 plates are the pre-facelift models. I hankered after an Aerodeck back in the early '90s, so I finally got an Accord I like the look of as they went a bit bland between the (3rd generation) Aerodeck and the 7th Generation Accord. The information display above the sat nav screen has just starting to show signs of dry solder joints that I see plague the Civics far more and something a sharp tap of the dashboard temporarily cures. Besides that intermittent fault, everything else still works on it - even the air con which I discovered is still pumping out almost ice cold air yesterday afternoon. I've been dead chuffed with it since I bought it and hope to still be driving it for the duration. The exhaust fumes have almost a steam engine smell which is far more pleasant than the Y reg 2.5 diesel Volvo V70 I had before it which would belch out black smoke under heavy acceleration. I used to wish I could put a Honda 2.2i-CDTi engine in it when I saw the Honda ads with their clean burning diesels back in the early 00s.

[@MrTomwinter]

They are fantastic in snow with the 4x4. Worked for a Honda dealer for a while and this and the MK3 performed brilliantly in snow. Mk 4 seems not to do as well.

[@Anrirua]

Agreed. Ive had my 2006 since 2017, exact same as the one in video. Had it Beast from the East conditions in regular 6" snow and occasional 12" snow and it pushed on through. I had the AWD in very good condition and had winter offroad tyres (Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6). Truly incredible little machine. Still drive it daily. 230k miles now, from 170k when bought. Have BFG Urban Terrain on it since 2019 and theyre perfect for most conditions except ice.

[@ESPSJ]

Honda make some great cars that's for sure. I imagine it's quite cheap to run as well, it's a shame Australia didn't get the turbo diesel models. Although the petrol motors are excellent still.

[@alphaLONE]

Oh the i-CDTi. It's good but I've had issues with failing DMFs and a cracked exhaust manifold on a Civic VIII. If everything goes fine, it's a great engine, but it's those peripheral things that make it a nightmare, and the manifold was a pig of a job to replace on the Civic, true horror show. Wish you'd review the space egg tho, I loved that car. Those rear seat benches that folded up helped me so many times to transport stuff! Have you tried one of the Mercedes Viano/V-Class vans? My father's been using them for over a decade now and after using em I don't see why anyone would get an SUV over these. You get all the creature comforts of a normal Mercedes (excellent seats, posh interior, sublime ride) with the load capacity and view around the traffic of a true workhorse Vito van. Maybe those could interess you.

[@HubNut]

Did someone say rust? 😉

[@alphaLONE]

@@HubNut oof yeah that was an issue on some but the ones from like 2010 onwards don't have that issue (at least i couldn't spot any on my father's - which hadn't been treated with any other respect than basic maintenance, even on the salted up roads here in belgium)

[@JR90.]

In regards to the fog light situation, my MK4 Mondeo can turn fogs lights on independently. I didn't know that was a luxury 😅

[@Mancozeb100]

Ditto in Kia SoulEV

[@tomwinch9107]

I had an 06 reg diesel with a 6 speed gearbox - quite happy & relaxed on faster roads, a bit top-heavy for bendy roads I think it was Honda's first in-house diesel, so was a competent attempt and robust considering this (though maybe most 'new engine' gremlins were ironed out on the accord ... Mine needed suspension work at every MOT, but was otherwise pain-free

[@gg_vard]

It seems like a great all around car. Family car, off road, practical features and a nice torquey diesel

[@Zadster]

Unexpectedly competent! A logical upgrade to the Berlingo? I imagine it won't be as economical on fuel as the Citroen though.

[@theythinkitsallrover8106]

Yeah it's not the best. I own this and it gives us low 50's on a very very sensible run but then it hasn't cost a penny in the year we've owned it so the fuel/repair cost offset is probably balanced.

[@philh1462]

Comfort, safety, and hopefully reliability all greatly improved though.

[@byronmills5952]

​@@philh1462 Nowhere near as comfortable as a Berlingo though - and they rot dreadfully underneath. Injectors are also impossible to remove without taking the head off. The first generation Crvs were much better built. Great cars if you can find a good one - but really tidy ones are getting very thin on the ground now.

[@thetartanwesty]

We had a diesel 2006 rav4 which we changed for a 2006 petrol crv 2litre vtec quick quiet and efficient.You should try the petrol version 😉

[@paulroyds9811]

Bought a 2002 2litre petrol version,remarkably cheaply, as my wife was awaiting a hip operation and it was easier to get in n out of...we've kept it long after the op just because its a lovely car to live with(her daily driver) Never having driven 4wd in my 40 odd years of driving(I park the BMW n walk to work when the snow comes) this was a revelation last winter. Truly was an eye opener in terms of driveability,went everywhere with ease. It's not the best on fuel,but it's so easy to live with,especially the elevated driving position, I doubt we'll ever get rid...and HubNut has enlightened me tonight...I'll be checking for the picnic table tomorrow! Excellent review

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Sensible, realible family transport. Another excellent review as always Ian and Carlie.

[@austinado16]

Excellent review, and it's fun to see the UK version (EDM) as a diesel! We didn't get the diesel version in the US, and it's a shame. After recommending CR-Vs to anyone asking "What's a good used car to own?" I finally purchase one for myself, a month ago. I found an '05 with 5 speed manual transmission, sunroof, and AWD. Same color as your test car. I'm enjoying it very much. I installed fog lights, and that same tailgate spoiler that your car has, just to update the look.

[@hadtopicausername]

Incidentally, my Beetle also has peak torque at 2000 rpm, and max horsepower (40) at 4000 rpm. Which is actually pretty much exactly the kind of torque curve I want for everyday driving.

[@PeterBurke7463]

I do like the 2.2 I-CDTi engine on the Honda’s great motor. Had a 2006 56 reg Civic. I do like the CRV, nice car. Great video; thank you.

[@anthonyhawkins9239]

I have owned one of these, and have often thought this is the car you need 🤓👍 ! I was only going to keep it for a brief period, but kept it for 3 years ! And still regret getting rid 🤦🏻‍♂️ ! Fantastic diesel, and you could hustle it along quite nicely 🤓, much nicer to drive than my partners Freelander 2. Buy one Ian 👍, you will not regret it 👍

[@TassieLorenzo]

Most Honda vehicles are all the car (or bike) you need, but often not all the car or bike you want. Not looking particularly impressive on the spec sheet can often by Honda's downfall when trying to win sales (before buyers experience them and realise how good they are and all the clever little details over the longer term of ownership).

[@badger509]

I had a petrol one of these. Right up there as one of the best cars I've ever owned. A car that ticks all the boxes and then some. Spanish dude drove into it on a roundabout and wrote it off. I'm forever sad about that.

[@plym1969]

Better than a Berlingo? Honda reliability? Perfect car for Hubnut? Great review as always!

[@frothe42]

These have always been a very good seller, although US versions had the 4 cylinder petrol as the only engine choice. The latest is a 1.5 litre turbo 4 with or without hybrid technology as well as FWD or AWD. Rear seating at this time is stadium seating; rear seat cushions are mounted high to give rear passengers good overall visibility whilst able to look out the front windscreen. Where the parking brake on this particular well equipped model is where the automatic shift lever would be. I don't actually remember if the EX-L model would have heated seats. I believe the current generation CRV is what we call now a CUV. I dislike that this has taken over where most would have had an estate (station wagon in the US) as these don't have the cargo capacity of a similar traditional estate. This and prior generation of CRV are now very rare in the US, and I'm not much of a fan of the most recent generation with the exception of blind spot detection and rear view camera. A very nice review!

[@glennhansel9411]

1.5 litre turbo 4 avoid this problematic engine

[@Locost59]

I bought a mk3 automatic in March. Now I’ve learnt it’s ways I’m getting about 40mpg. It’s no fun but is very practical and a pretty effortless way to commute. The mk3 doesn’t roll much but the ride is a bit choppy. Going to get a tow bar soon.

[@theopauw2830]

I have a 1st gen 2l petrol and love it. Still goes wonderfully after 315k km. Does well on horrible dirt roads where more modern SUV's would struggle. And that camping table is very sturdy - we actually use it when camping and leave our normal one behind. Wouldn't have minded that Diesel though (we only got it in the 3rd gen in South Africa).

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Great review. I love my 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. 4WD and almost 200 bhp.

[@deancary6676]

My flatmate has a JDM spec 2006 2,2 litre petrol automatic with at least 350,000km on it. I've been in it a few times. He uses it as a tow wagon and lugs across some pretty muddy paddocks. It's a damn good vehicle - even to this diehard sedan fan!

[@davidbarnsley8486]

That is in very good condition for the age has it been in storage for the last 15 years It can’t have been driven over there in winter 👍👍

[@ricbrook7059]

Bought a 53 plate 2.0 exec auto as a stop gap about a decade ago, put 100k on it over 7 years as it did everything it was asked to do. Thirsty but bulletproof and still drove well when I retired it when COVID kicked in. Still in the yard but haven't driven it for 3 years.

[@zzoinks]

Was it really thirsty? I would've assumed these Honda crvs are good on fuel! And why did you stop driving it? Maybe it's time to sell it to a good next owner so it doesn't get "abandoned car issues"

[@ricbrook7059]

@@zzoinks nope shocking, you might see 30mpg going steady on the motorway but typically they do 23/24mpg.

[@zzoinks]

@@ricbrook7059 ah, it's good compared to my Volvo but I would still wish for better on the cr-v

[@WebDeveloper-xs4uf]

My FR-V 2.2 Diesel has cruise controll just Toyoto has this 24 ears later on Hybrid model. I love the 3 sets in the front and you can make it into a budget camper. The torque on this car after gettting new airfilter change is ballzy

[@timelwell7002]

This car may not have been on Ian's radar, but it is on mine. I did a brief test drive in one of these about a year ago, and I *loved* the smooth rider, even over the many pot-holes on the roads in my area. Great car, very much my cup of Lapsang Souchon, great review, and I agree with the HubNut seal of approval.

[@PenryMMJ]

Although based on the Civic, at least Honda made it sufficiently different, that the 2 cars serve a distinctly different customer. It's more practical than the hatch it was based on, and could do some light off-roading. I really don't like the modern trend of so called SUV's that are virtually identical to the hatchback they are based on, still 2 wheel drive, and with jacked up suspension that makes them ride and handle much worse than a hatch. VW Trough, Citroen Crossdresser, Nissan Kumquat, Vauxhall Mockery, and many others, I'm looking at you here. To me that class of vehicle is an urban on-roader, not an SUV. Just as silly as a Rover Streetwise was.

[@bigdude101ohyeah]

My 1996 Integra had the weirdest wiper stalk. You had two switches on the stalk to control the front and rear wipers, so pushing the stalk down only activated the mist function. I'm not sure if any other Hondas had this setup, but I know that newer Hondas I've been in have a conventional stalk.

[@davidwren6703]

Had a 2.4 vtec - was a great car and huge capacity in the rear. Loved the picnic table

[@AUCHTERMUCHTYZZ]

Have had 4 of these over the years Ian great cars the 1st , 2nd x 2 and 3rd picnic table was well used around Royal Deeside not far from where I live

[@itsmephil2255]

We all know M.H. was thinking "we need something like this Ian"

[@danielrussell446]

And Ian was thinking let’s have another Citroen lol 😂

[@itsmephil2255]

@@danielrussell446 1 track mind that Ian 😂

[@thomasfrancis5747]

Quite like the series 2 CR-V - one SUV you can actually see out of. Shame they seem to suffer badly from underfloor rust. Be interesting to compare a series 1 Mark 1 5 door Freelander with a Series 1 CR-V - how suspiciously similar are they actually?

[@darrenpallett9353]

Also the seats fold into a bed like,front with headrests removed recline in line with rears.in the pillar of passenger door is a tube to see level of windscreen wash level .great cars

[@ipodgooroo]

I have a 2002 petrol auto CRV, best car I've ever had. It pretty much never goes wrong. The 23mpg is a bit hard to swallow though

[@philh1462]

You could see the "Oh, this is niiiiice" cogs whirring in your head as you drove! Plus picnic table. This is sooooo La Famille Hubnut just with less of the French will it won't it, vibe.

[@CaptHollister]

My 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo had separate switches for the front and rear fog lights (the latter are still a rarity in North America). I honestly don't understand the hate for SUVs. Maybe our European friends can argue about size, but here in Canada we have space and long distances and SUVs are great for covering distance in comfort. I've owned hot hatches, four-door sedans, station-wagons, but for the last twenty+ years it's been AWD SUVs for me. For having fun on the road I have my motorcycles, for transport and getting groceries in any weather I have the GLK or my wife's ML.

[@jamesbaggaley1460]

Best generation of CR-V.

[@interceptor-ss8kb]

Nah the current one is far better looking and way way way more refined and better built.

[@Bikergal800]

I love the CRV and had the next version of it and yes it was a lift up tail gate and nice drive and Now have the MK4 Petrol EX AWD which your welcome to drive any time, X-Trails I had a 2.2. DCI Sport and such a great car and downside was the heavy clutch just wish there was a 2.2 auto as I would have kepted it

[@fv7765]

Good video, my uncle had one, 2.0 vtec wasn't great off-road because of the part-time 4wd system always come on too late in snow when lose traction and getting stuck. My personal should have the full time 4wd but the disadvantage is more fuel!

[@willdatsun]

Probably not much difference since it is still turning the rear diff etc all the time anyway so no extra parts would be rotating if it was in 4wd. The part time 4wd saves having a centre diff

[@fv7765]

@@willdatsun I remember my uncle said he was going up the hill icy, at same speed the front start to slip lose few mph, but the rear was engaged too late something like 1 to 2-second delay then all four start to spin. My opinion if it was full time I believe he would get it to a bit further.

[@fv7765]

@@willdatsun kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5S3dH9-paaEaJo

[@zzoinks]

​​​@@fv7765maybe needs better AWD system with instant traction feature. Since some AWD systems are advertised with supposed millisecond reaction time. But also some of the older CRVs, maybe the mid 2000s models, had controversy over ineffective AWD systems that didn't send enough power to the rear wheels.

[@magoo1uk2003]

Had a 2002 2.0 petrol with 152,000 miles drove like new great car

[@brentboswell1294]

More forbidden fruit for us in the US. We never got any diesels from Honda that I'm aware of. We may have had a manual option on the second generation CR-V, but if you find one here, it's a unicorn 🦄. The third gen did away with the manual option here. Also, for some reason, Honda chose to make the bumper covers of the second gen the color of a recycling bin here, instead of the much better looking body colored ones you guys got in the UK 😢

[@soundseeker63]

I have the "space ship" Civic of the same year with same engine, I agree it's a good engine, especially when you consider it was Honda's first effort at diesel! In the Civic it feels almost like a hot hatch - 250lb/ft of torque in a little car means it moves it's self along really well. The low and stiff suspension and pointy steering in the Civic is not to all tastes - Probably just too harsh for many family drivers, but the faster you go the better it gets and its really quite fun to chuck about through the bends and use the torque to pull you out the other side. The styling has also aged really well! I'm not an SUV fan but, out of all of them, this, and the RAV4 are probably the best made and most reliable and best engineered of the lot.

[@chuckbradley1]

I had a CRV. It was unstoppable in snow. Great country vehicle. I regret selling it.

[@harrygiles1098]

Great video Ian, keep up the amazing work

[@keoun9759]

I'm always drawn to these cars, but can never justify the lower mpg

[@anthonybell6344]

We have the next model, utterly reliable over 75k miles. A keeper.

[@bentullett6068]

My dad's mk3 CRV is well over 100,000 miles.

[@slimjim7687]

i had the 2ltr i v-tec auto in dark grey i wish i never sold it, now i have the 3rd gen 2.2 diesel and a 4th gen 1.6 i d-tec black edition they are great cars very comfy and don't cost the earth to run.

[@keithposter5543]

Nice. Absolutely no need to apologise for the SUV love - as long as it's mini. I might be looking for something like this soon

[@robbiecox]

My Simca 1501 estate had a picnic table covering the spare wheel. 1970's practicality!