- suv 191,550
- 313 below average
- 5,495 fair
- Orange, CA
-
- autoshopper.com
- 313 below average suv 191,550 white automatic
2004 honda cr-v review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Space, convenience and agility make an appealing compact suv. introductionthe honda cr-v is roomy, convenient and easy to drive. It rides smoothly, without the jouncy harshness of many suvs. The cr-v is surprisingly maneuverable in tight quarters and handles well on winding roads. It's also stable in stiff crosswinds at freeway speeds. in short, the cr-v has grown up. This recently redesigned suv is bigger, roomier and more powerful than the first-generation cr-v, and it has reclaimed its spot among the best small sport-utilities offered by any manufacturer. like toyota's rav4, the cr-v was one of the first so-called cute-utes: not quite a sport-utility, but more than a car, offering an upright seating position, all-wheel drive and decent cargo space. Since it was built on a car platform (the honda civic), cr-v's highway-friendly ride and handling made it drive more like a car. A thorough re-do for 2002 put the cr-v squarely back in the game. It still isn't much good off-road, but it's better than competent on the highways and byways where most suvs are driven most of the time. This honda beats most of its immediate competitors in both qualitative and quantitative measures, and trails the competition in only a few. Honda has long believed that the fewer the options, the less a car costs to build, so options on its small suv are few. the base lx 19,000) is the only cr-v with just front-wheel drive. It comes well equipped. An automatic transmission is also standard with this front-drive model. lx 4wd comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission 19,400), but is also available with an automatic 20,200). Side-impact air bags 250) are optional. Aluminum wheels are available as a dealer-installed accessory. Ex 4wd comes with a choice of five-speed manual 21,750) or automatic 22,550). compared to 2003 models, these prices (msrp) reflect a modest increase of $100 for the lx and $150 for the ex. walkaroundthe cr-v has grown up, and there's no better evidence than its styling. The emphasis now is less on cute, more on ute. The body panels are smoother and not quite so busy, suggesting a more robust persona than the original cr-v. The shorter, blunter front-end creates a more rugged off-road look. the cr-v still sports its trademark high-mount tail lights on either side of the rear window. The rear glass opens on its own, separately from the tailgate, which is good. Unfortunately, the lower part of the gate is side-hinged and opens to the right. Think of it as a cute puppy that's filled out as it's grown up. interiorthe honda cr-v has a friendly interior that's easy to live with, and quite convenient in the daily hustle. Getting in and out is quick and easy and doesn't require climbing or stooping. Gauges are easy to read, with white numerals on a black background, eliminating the twilight wash-out afflicting the black-on-white arrays that are the current fad. Cruise control is standard, as is an adjustable steering column. improvements the last two years have been focused on the interior. For 2004, there's the power-lock switch added to the front-passenger door on all trim levels. Just a few years ago, these convenient changers were the preserve of true luxury cars. The parking brake is disguised, subtly integrated into the vertical panel forward of the center console. As odd as the placement might seem at first, using the hand brake gets more comfortable in short order. it's the small, thoughtful touches that make the cr-v a pleasant place to go about the business of driving. There's a cool, collapsible tray table betwixt the front seats, with a couple of cup holders and a recess for a cell phone or odds-and-ends. The cover for the spare-tire bin does double duty as a folding picnic table. Almost everything else seems to be where it should be, and there are no less than 21 storage nooks adroitly spread through the cabin. the front seats are excellent. In most measures of interior room, the cr-v beats its competition. Only the toyota rav4 tops the cr-v's front seat headroom, and by less than half an inch. The ford escape and rav4 provide more front-seat leg room, by 0. 3 and 0. 9 inches, respectively, over the cr-v's still-generous 41. 3 inches. Taller drivers or those who like to sit upright might notice. more surprising than the front-passenger accommodations is the space and comfort provided by the cr-v's rear seats. The rear bench is neither too soft nor too hard, and allows passengers to travel for more than a few minutes without getting numb-reared or fidgety. All three rear positions have three-point belts and head restraints, something not all suvs offer. in terms of cargo hauling, the cr-v is the champion among the small suvs, with 72. 0 cubic feet of cargo space. Better still, the cr-v's 60/40 split rear seat slides forward and back over a range of six inches to maximize either passenger or cargo space when the seat is up. driving impressionmost small suvs offer an optional v6 engine. Honda is a leader in engine technology, and the cr-v's 2. 4-liter, 16-valve, dohc engine benefits from 'intelligent' i-vtec. Through this miracle of variable valve timing, honda is able to generate lots of usable power while keeping fuel economy at an impressive epa-estimated 22/26 mpg city/highway. Like all hondas, the cr-vs are clean-running vehicles. Downshifts come quickly, and full-throttle upshifts come smoothly just before the redline. It's a great aid when winter snowstorms hit, adding confidence and sure-footed tracking in slippery conditions. In the snow or on dirt and gravel roads, honda's real time awd enhances stability and maximizes traction. This is not a true off-road system with a dual-range transfer case or locking differentials or anything of the sort. With its standard smooth-tread tires, the cr-v is not suited for backcountry off-road travel. whether the roads are smooth or rough, the cr-v rides well. It rides more smoothly than most suvs, which makes for pleasant motoring around town over busy, beat-up streets. Handling is reassuring. It feels sure-footed on twist. Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Power Mirrors✔ AM/FM✔ Cruise Control✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Air Conditioning✔ CD Changer✔ Aluminum Wheels
5,495 Orange, CAOrange, CA at autoshopper.com