The CRV has been a prime example of how a manufacturer can enter – well almost create a new segment and have incredible success, for a period the CRV was the best selling 4WD in New Zealand bar none. It also showed how the segment has changed, 4WDs were suddenly not all about large, heavy and at times ungainly vehicles, whose sole virtue was their ability to travel off-road when required. Honda and a number of other manufacturers saw the truth that with the exception of a relatively few buyers, most owners off-road aspirations and needs were fairly simple, to get to a ski field, beach, scenic or picnic spot. Give the vehicle reasonable ground clearance and a 4WD/AWD system and it would fulfil these needs without requiring a full chassis, heavy and expensive low range transfer box and rugged beam axle suspension. An awful lot of buyers agreed and those who did drive the vehicles off-road found that they had surprisingly good abilities despite theoretical objections to the automated nature of the 4WD system with no ability to have a locked mode.
Ten years on with the third generation CRV now in the market the basic recipe hasn’t changed much but the vehicle is much refined and specification levels are far higher. Despite this the new model starts from $38,400 vs the 1996 launch price of $38,500 showing how vehicle values have improved. Today’s buyer gets more airbags than you can shake a stick at (driver, passenger, front side airbags and side curtain airbags), six speed manual gearbox (or five-speed auto), VSA (Vehicle Stability Assistance), ABS brakes, cruise control, six-disc in-dash CD player, dual climate control air-conditioning and 17 inch alloy wheels, not to mention a larger 125kW 2.4-litre engine.
Whilst the front bumper area of the new CRV with its “overbite” might be a little controversial we like the shape, it gels a lot better than the previous model which never quite matched the appearance of the original, from the rear the new CRV has simply stunning lines with a curving rear side window that gives a sporty “Coupe” like styling. The inside is also typical of the clean and simple design that you would expect from Honda, it looks good and feels good too. Some signature elements of the original CRV are retained but in a modified form, there is still a walk-through element between the front seats but rather than a folding tray you now have to step over a low (and commodious) centre console (the gear lever sprouts from a platform that protrudes from the dash and the handbrake is foot operated so there are no protruding levers to get in the way). In the load area the picnic table has gone (not many used it) but you now have an interesting double decker arrangement, the usefulness of which we will have to consider when we get hold of a CRV for a longer test drive. In theory heavier objects go on the floor under a top deck false floor, light shopping and such like sits on top of this second deck giving versatility, the second floor can be folded and stored away when not needed. On the launch we had the opportunity to drive the CRV on a mix of roads from Nelson to Hanmer Springs using the famous Rainbow Station Road that runs through Rainbow and Molesworth Stations. The road is normally closed to the public at this time of the year but Honda got special permission and it was a great road to show the vehicles capability’s, starting with high speed and windy tar seal which demonstrated the very good sealed road manners then onto some quite rough metal tracks with numerous river ford crossings to finally run out on some fast open metal roads, all with some fabulous scenery thrown in, not to mention the overnight road closing gale that saw us trapped in Hanmer for most of the following day due to falling trees. The CRVs handled all the conditions thrown at them with aplomb, the handling on the faster sweeping gravel was especially nice but they handled the rougher stuff and fords well. Uphill starts on gravel did see some minor initial front wheel spin before the drive to the rear kicked in but on flatter surfaces there was no perceptible delay in the transfer of drive. There are two models RVi and Sport, Sport gains sunroof, leather trim, heated front seats (power adjustment for driver) and Xenon lights. You can also get a Plus variant of each model with metal front and rear skid plates (primarily decorative), side steps, sports grille and a rear spoiler. .: