Honda CR-V first generation (description and characteristics). Honda CR-V (RD1) - the new standard of cars What to check when buying

“Comfortable car for recreation” is exactly how the name of the car is deciphered and translated Honda CR-V.

It is a compact crossover, the first generation of which was produced from 1995 to 2001 by the Japanese company Honda. The car was assembled at factories in Japan, China and the Philippines.

The Honda CR-V crossover was created based on Honda Civic. The length of the car is 4470 mm, width – 1750 mm, height – 1675 mm with a wheelbase of 2620 mm and ground clearance of 205 mm. When equipped, the car weighs 1370 kg.

The first generation Honda CR-V crossover was equipped with one gasoline engine DOHC. This is a four-cylinder 16-valve engine with a displacement of two liters, producing 130 Horse power and 186 Nm of peak torque. It worked in conjunction with a 4-band automatic transmission gears and all-wheel drive system. In December 1998, the engine was modernized, its power increased to 150 “horses”, and a 5-speed manual transmission and a version with front axle drive also appeared.

The car is equipped with independent spring suspension both front and back. Disc brakes are installed on the front wheels, drum brakes are installed on the rear wheels.

The first generation Honda CR-V crossover is a successful combination of comfort, dynamics, versatility and cross-country ability. The car was equipped with a reliable engine, which had practically no weak points and, with timely and high-quality maintenance, broke down extremely rarely.
The all-wheel drive transmission requires special attention, and its weak point is the gearbox rear axle.
The suspension and gearbox are nothing special, except for the high cost of repairs.

Handling, dynamics and brakes are the positive aspects of the “first” Honda CR-V. And poor sound insulation is the negative side of the crossover.

The Honda CR-V is considered a fairly reliable car, especially if it very rarely goes off-road. Its design uses many components from other famous models brands such as Honda Civic and Honda Accord, which guarantees high stability in technically. Those who plan to drive the SUV frequently on or off challenging roads will be disappointed. The rear axle is connected via a hydraulic pump, which comes into operation with a long delay and transmits only a small part of the torque. It's rare that the rear axle can provide real assistance off-road. Another drawback is reliability. The coupling and pump are easy to overheat, and with frequent use they soon fail.

However, in general, the all-wheel drive system of the 1st generation Honda SRV is quite stable. However, problems after many years of use are almost inevitable. Most often, play occurs on the driveshaft, in the front axle shafts, and oil leaks from the rear axle may occur. The “bridge” may hum if no one has ever changed the oil in it before.

Loads fail relatively quickly and manual box transmission The transmission begins to knock out or a grinding noise appears. Hard use ultimately ends in wear of bearings and synchronizers. Against this background, the automatic versions look better. Although automatic transmissions are quite outdated and slow, provided they regularly change the oil, they are much more durable than manual transmissions. It is noteworthy that the gear selector in the Honda CR-V with an automatic transmission is located on the steering column, like in American cars.

The geometric cross-country ability of the Honda SR-V allows a lot, but the main thing is not to overdo it. The suspension is strong and does not like unevenness. It feels best when used on roads with smooth hard surfaces. Original components have the greatest durability, but they are quite expensive, so owners are increasingly using cheap analogues, which wear out quite quickly. This is where the opinion arises about the crossover suspension as not the best element. Fortunately, it is usually small parts that need replacing, such as silent blocks and connectors.

Problems with the chassis often arise due to overload, which is facilitated by the spacious body. After several years of such use, the condition of the rear suspension begins to deteriorate. Springs and shock absorbers will need to be replaced.

Vibrations radiating into the steering wheel are a typical problem that many Honda owners of that time encountered, and not just the CR-V. The disease arose for many reasons, the detection, confirmation and elimination of which is not only difficult, but also expensive.

Gasoline Honda engines The first generation CR-Vs have earned a good reputation, especially the B20 series. They are very reliable and durable. The longevity of the engine depends entirely on the condition of the cooling system and valve clearance. Fan failure or radiator defects quickly affect the condition of the engine. Cheap thermostat analogues are short-lived. Unfortunately, many people forget about adjusting the valve clearance. In advanced cases, repair of the block head may be necessary. Ancillary equipment malfunctions and electronic malfunctions are rare.

Most Honda SR-Vs are well equipped, but electrical equipment often fails. These are mostly minor glitches. Most often, power windows suffer, and even then mainly due to the mechanical part.

The salon is assembled from materials good quality and looks good even on cars with over 300,000 km. The CR-V's self-supporting body is rigid and well protected from corrosion. Corrosion appears in places hidden from view. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to carefully check the condition of the load-bearing suspension elements, look under the seals and inspect the lower edges of the doors. Due to the spare wheel mounted on the tailgate, it has to be adjusted periodically.

Operating costs

Although the Honda CR-V can be purchased for relatively little money, operating costs are estimated to be above average for the class. Due to their age, many cars are already quite worn out. Unfortunately, even with a small gasoline engine, the average fuel consumption will be no less than 10 l/100 km. From the point of view of the ratio of power to fuel consumption, the restyled modification with an engine of 147 hp is much more profitable, versus the 128 hp version. 2-liter engines are practically the same structurally. The changes affected only the intake and exhaust system. The automatic version is the most voracious, but it is more comfortable to drive.

The biggest advantage of the Honda SR-V is the availability of spare parts. The market is very rich and there is no shortage of specialized stores and services. Original spare parts are expensive. Analogues are cheaper, but it is better to purchase better quality substitutes.

Conclusion

When looking for a Honda CR-V, it is better to purchase a younger example with more powerful engine. Car prices depend more on condition than age. If possible, it is necessary to check whether the crossover has not been involved in serious accidents - restoring the geometry is very problematic. It is better to avoid specimens that have often been off-road. This will be indirectly indicated by numerous deformations, dirt and abrasions on the bottom, sills and elements of the exhaust system. It is imperative to check the condition of the rear axle and differential coupling. A hum in the rear axle area while driving indicates problems with the differential or multi-plate clutch. During the test drive, you should accelerate to at least 120 km/h to ensure that there are no vibrations. If they exist, then you must understand that eliminating them will be difficult or even impossible. Let us remind you that in the case of the first generation CR-V, vibrations are not always caused by unbalanced wheels or uneven worn tires. Be careful.

Year of issue: 1997

Engine: 2.0

I have owned the car since 2008, I bought it with a mileage of 76 thousand km in Japan, now the odometer shows 180 thousand km. I have never regretted the purchase, the car is very reliable, it has never seriously broken down in 5 years of operation, only current regulated expenses, engine oil, fluids, scheduled timing belt replacement. Among the minor breakdowns: in the fifth year of operation, the upper bank of the internal combustion engine radiator began to leak; the entire radiator had to be replaced with a Chinese duplicate, since the original costs 20 thousand rubles, and this is expensive. I changed the front stabilizer struts, as there was a slight knock when driving over small irregularities; after a mileage of 175 thousand km it became noisy wheel bearing, after a long drive in 40 degree frosts, the front CV joints had to be replaced, as the anthers were torn and the lubricant immediately collected dirt. These are all the breakdowns that happened during operation, I even still drive with the original spark plugs, as they are still in good condition.

The advantages of the first generation CR-V are obvious: the highest reliability, no matter what happens, it will take you home, interior capacity, its ability to transform into one large bed or, if necessary, into a cargo-passenger version, spaciousness for passengers, very predictable to drive, high ground clearance and pluggable four-wheel drive will not make you nervous when driving through snowdrifts and washed-out dirt roads (within reasonable limits).

Of the minuses: original spare parts are not very cheap; due to the absence of a cardan tunnel, the frameless body is subject to slight elastic torsional deformation, which is felt by the creaking of the skin when driving over large irregularities. This is a disease of the automatic transmission of this entire series, when the transmission starts to shift with a slight jerk, but this does not lead to breakdown, especially since the defect only appears when the automatic transmission is not warmed up, so you can live with this, and even moreover, the service station recommends that this should not be treated as defect, but as a feature of the model.

The rest of the car is wonderful, I want the same one, only new, but unfortunately, they have not been produced for more than 10 years. I don’t like the 4th generation CR-V, since it has lost all the characteristic CR-V features of a moderately brutal car, with a regular table in the trunk, the absence of a longitudinal console, and the ability to transform the interior due to different options for folding the rear seats, I’m not talking about decreased ground clearance and other characteristics that affect cross-country ability, which, starting from the third generation, have been inexorably falling, turning the CR-V simply into an urban show-off station wagon.

Station wagon with cross-country ability– the original idea of ​​engineers for the Honda CR-V model. Due to unknown circumstances, the design underwent changes and in 1995 the Honda SRV RD 1 debuted in the crossover class. At that time, the brand made a real splash. No one has previously been able to offer this to a potential client: spacious interior, high ground clearance, combination of power with fuel consumption and ease of maintenance. The closest competitor was the Toyota RAV-4. But it was also significantly inferior in a number of indicators, which will be discussed below.

Specifications

Structure, platform/frame

Honda SRV 1996 is partially built on the platform from Honda Integra. Percentage: 25% to 75%. Engineers initially planned to develop a completely new base for the crossover. The catastrophic lack of time and the market’s dictation of its conditions have left their mark.

Engine

The success of the Honda CR V RD 1 model largely depended on power unit. The first and only 2.0-liter engine in the classic in-line design until 1999: four cylinders, a drive belt, two camshafts and 130HP under the hood. Catalog index B20B.

There were no complaints during operation. Surprisingly high-quality and well-coordinated motor the first time. But not without error - a defect in the pulley mounting bolt crankshaft. After the first timing belt replacement, it broke when tightened. There is a version that the reason is exceeding the maximum effort. Whether this is so is not known for certain.

Externally, the power unit is similar to the engine from the Honda Integra V - 1.8 liters, with an increased cylinder diameter. At 5400 rpm the torque is 180 Nm. Overall, not bad for an “off-road station wagon.”

checkpoint

The Honda CR V 1996 gearbox is presented in a classic version: a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. In general, there are no complaints about the work, but annual maintenance is not cheap, from 25,000 rubles. And given the age of the model, even more costs.

But here too the problem was solved by installing contract transmissions. It cost 10,000 rubles less. Cheap and cheerful.

Suspension

Suspension type: independent double wishbone at the front and MacPherson strut at the rear. This made it possible to literally absorb small and medium-sized bumps on the road without recoil, vibration, or knocking on the steering wheel or the interior of the car.

Body supporting with reinforced wishbones. Brake system disc type in front, drum type in back. Ground clearance 20.5 cm.

Exterior

The first generation Honda SRV is characterized by stylistic solutions in the form of fender linings and the manufacture of front and rear bumpers from polymer materials. For European and CIS countries, the model was supplied with a front chrome radiator grille, and for the US market it was exclusively made of black plastic, matching the color of the bumper.

Dimensions: 4510 x 1780 x 1770 mm. Wheelbase: 2620mm, and the restyled version is five centimeters longer.

Interior

Spaciousness and accessibility – these are the properties for which the model is loved by consumers from Japan and the USA. The horizontal driver's seat cushion, the automatic transmission paddles attached to the steering wheel, the perfectly folding rear row of seats, everything is so well thought out that there are no complaints at all.

But the main highlight was hidden in the floor of the luggage compartment - a portable picnic table. Looking ahead, this “zest” was preserved until the fifth model.

Restyling

In 1999, the Honda CRV concern introduced a new product - a modernized version of the stock SRV 1 engine. This did not happen on the engineers’ own initiative, but under pressure from the model’s owners. The reason is that for a car weighing one and a half tons, the standard power unit is not enough for active use. New designation 2.0 L B20Z 150HP L4.

The modification received an increased compression ratio, lift amount exhaust valves, a new shape of the exhaust manifold. This contributed to an increase in the vehicle’s efficiency: consumption was reduced by 17%. City cycle 10 l/100 km, mixed 8.4 l.

Available configurations and prices

The Japanese automobile industry has one common feature - the gradation of product markets. We are talking about the following geographical regions:

• “Own Country” - Honda CRV 1996 engine with power ratings of 147 hp;
• Europe and CIS – 130 hp;
• USA - 128 hp

The restyled version differs from the first generation in the presence of an ABS safe braking system and pre-installed 15-inch wheels. Drive type: permanent front or optional all-wheel drive (Real-Time AWD).

On secondary market for a model with pre-installed mechanics they will ask from 380,000 rubles, and for an automatic it is 25,000 rubles cheaper.

Main competitors

There is only one competitor in the “weight” category, and it comes from Japan – Toyota RAV-4. At that time, there were no models in Europe that could withstand the Honda CR V.

Features of the model that distinguish it from competitors

Since the closest competitor was the Toyota RAV-4, there is nothing to compare, since the advantage of the Honda SRV is obvious: high-quality engine, moderate fuel consumption, upgraded suspension double-lever type at the front, unlike Toyota's classic McPherson strut.

Cons, problems

• During technical inspections and repairs, be extremely careful and careful. Regular ABS sensors fragile, with slight mechanical impact they crack at the base;
• CR V RD1 models manufactured between 1997 and 1999 are “famous” for premature wear of the driveshaft crosspiece, which is carefully pressed into the metal shaft body. At that time, not all service centers had equipment for high-quality pressing of crosspieces. It got to the point that the owners dismantled the rear driveshaft and successfully drove the front one.

Pros, advantages

1. Moderate efficiency in fuel consumption;
2. Compact dimensions, like for a crossover car;
3. Maintaining the leading position of the top three since 1995;
4. Modernization of the car as a whole and its individual mechanisms.

Conclusion

It's a pity that production of the 1997 Honda CR V ceased in 2001. But, despite this, the “struggle” for it still continues on the secondary market. Buying a first-generation CR V takes a lot of time, but it's worth it.

Video: Main Road Honda CR-V I

Video: #The most honest owner review. Honda CR-V RD1 1999

And, actually, the first generation Honda CR-V.

After reading many forums, I was almost inclined to favor the RAV 4. It has permanent all-wheel drive and an abundance of spare parts in stores.

The second was Subaru Forester With naturally aspirated engine and automatically. The car is quite good, but the ground clearance is very low compared to its opponents. I immediately rejected this option, although the car is very, very dynamic.

When I came to see the Honda, I immediately noticed the huge interior, where you can easily move from the front seats to the rear ones, and vice versa. Another plus is ground clearance.

Exterior

The outside view of the car is a typical body of the first SUVs of the late 90s and early 2000s. The rather square shape has a positive effect on the internal volume of the cabin, so this is rather a plus.

Salon

Very big. The absence of a central tunnel and a hard armrest between the front seats makes it possible to move freely around the cabin. It is worth noting the good transformation of the interior, which makes the luggage space simply indecently large. They could easily fit there: a span of scaffolding, a Honda Accord hood across the entire width, building materials, and so on. In general, only 5 for useful interior space.

The driver's seat has tilt and height adjustments. The rear sofa is divided in a ratio of 2/3 and also has an inclined backrest. Overall convenient. It is worth noting the large legroom for rear passengers - it is quite sufficient. With my height of 182 cm, I can sit in the back without touching the back of the front seat.

Engine

The engine here is the good old B20Z with 150 horses. It is quite enough in the city and on the highway. Average consumption: highway 8.5 liters, city – up to 13 liters per 100 km. The engine is very simple and reliable, does not have VTEC. It easily travels 300-400 thousand km to the capital.

Box

It's more likely weakness of this car. She does not like fast starts and towing loads. Has only 4 gears. Overall quite reliable, but a little outdated.

Suspension

Purely Honda - harsh. But at the same time it holds the road just perfectly.

Its only drawback is its multi-leverage. These are additional costs for spare parts. The front suspension on two wishbones with four balls is also quite expensive to maintain. But it gives driving pleasure.

Bottom line: I've owned the car for about six years. I have never regretted the purchase. For the money, this is ideal - a real workhorse with a very comfortable and roomy interior.