Honda CR-V • 2004 • 40,000 km

Vehicle Overview Several newcomers have entered the compact sport utility vehicle market since Honda launched its car-based CR-V as a 1997 model. To meet that assault, Honda completely redesigned its compact SUV for 2002 and gave it more interior space and room behind the rear seat. Passenger space grew by approximately 3.5 inches in front and an inch in the rear, and headroom increased by 2 inches. A 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine replaced the previous 2.0-liter. LX versions may be equipped with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and either an automatic transmission or a manual gearbox. The upscale EX edition comes only with four-wheel drive. Except for the addition of a new front-passenger power door lock switch, little has changed for 2004. In its first generation, the CR-V became the most popular car-based SUV on the market. Rivals include the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Toyota RAV4. The latest CR-V is produced in Japan and England. It has earned impressive five-star ratings for both front and side-impact crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Exterior Semi-traditional SUV styling continues to conceal the CR-V’s passenger-car platform. Styling features include a short, sharply raked nose and high-visibility rear lights. The CR-V rides a 103.1-inch wheelbase, measures 178.6 inches long overall and stands 66.2 inches tall. The EX version is equipped with a moonroof and privacy glass.