2007 Honda CR-V Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Gone is the CR-V's boxy persona. Also gone: The hatch-mounted spare tire. What's in are a sloping roof, streamlined body panels, and slimmer windows. This is a dramatically different CR-V than the first two generations, and yet it's more modern and carlike. The black plastic body cladding remains at shin height for that rugged adventure look, and the rear bumper's extended lip integrates neatly into the fenders and lower creases of each door. There's a weird double-chin effect at the front, with two grilles stacked atop each other. The half-moon shape of the side glass accentuates the CR-V as a sportier car, even though it's no such thing. But it looks great. The 2007 CR-V is 7.6 centimetres shorter than the previous model and 3.5 cm wider. The standard wheels are 17 inches in diameter, an inch larger than before. Alloy wheels are added at the EX trim, one level up from the base model.

Inside, the tall dash layout has been reshaped to accommodate newer technology, like an available navigation system, and there are more silver-painted accents and available two-tone colours that look more upscale. But you'll recognize this as a CR-V.

The powertrain in the new CR-V pairs the same 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine with either a front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain. It makes power specs of 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque, which is nearly identical to the previous model year. The engine uses i-VTEC, which is the variable valve timing that Honda pioneered more than a decade ago that can either maximize performance or fuel economy, depending on the driver's inputs. It's a smooth-revving (but somewhat noisy) engine that has enough power for a small SUV. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard on every trim. The five-speed manual on the previous EX has been discontinued. Honda made moderate improvements to the suspension for an even smoother ride.

Fuel economy is estimated at 10.7 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 7.8 on the highway for the all-wheel-drive model. The front-wheel-drive version burns 10.2 L/100 km city and 7.3 highway.

There's a problem with making a car sleeker: You can't see as well out of it. That's the main issue with the 2007 CR-V, especially those very small rear windows that leave bigger blind spots in their wake.

Still, that hasn't affected room or comfort. There is slightly more cargo space than before, at 2,064 litres with the rear seats folded (they now split three ways instead of two) and 1,011 litres in the cargo area with them raised. The awkward right-hinged tailgate is now a more conventional style, with hinge points that let the door swing up and out of the way for anyone walking past. Now there is also a telescoping steering column to match the tilt, and the high-mounted shifter has been positioned lower on the dash where most drivers will naturally reach.

Some of the CR-V's nifty storage units are gone, like the sealed compartment in the centre stack. But the front seats still have their own fold-down armrests, and you'll find enough cupholders, big knobs, and switches to make your commute easy and simple to use. The folding picnic table that sits on the cargo shelf was ingenious, but it's gone, too.

Navigation is now an option on the top EX-L trim, along with a rearview camera that eases some of the blind-spot problems inherent with the car's sportier looks.

Cruise control, air conditioning, a CD stereo, power windows and heated power mirrors, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a trip computer come standard on the Honda CR-V LX. The EX adds a power moonroof, an upgraded sound system with a six-disc CD changer, tinted rear windows, variable intermittent wipers, a steering wheel with audio controls, and a vehicle alarm. The EX-L has leather seats, heated front seats (not offered on lower trims), and body-coloured door handles and mirrors.

Since 2005, anti-lock brakes, stability control, front-side airbags, and head-curtain airbags have been standard safety features. That's in addition to dual front airbags and traction control. The 2007 CR-V scored the top Good rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the front and side crash tests, and five out of five stars for most related tests run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and four stars for its rollover tests.

Update: Make certain any car you buy has had its front airbags replaced under the Takata recall. All CR-V models from the 2002-2011 model years, plus the 2016, have faulty airbags that can kill you or your passenger in a crash.

Prices for the new Honda CR-V start at $27,700 for the LX FWD and range up to $37,400 for the Honda CR-V EX-L AWD, when equipped with navigation. That's more money than the previous generation, and at its core, the 2007 CR-V doesn't drive or feel that much different. But so many of these crossovers will remain in good condition on the road as used cars for many years from when they were purchased. As new cars, they are well-built, reliable, and ace their mission as versatile, roomy cars with a hint of off-road capability.

Note: Images show a US model.