Applejack
Explorer
I have now had a few weeks now to find the things I like and other things I don't about this CRV. I will start with bad and end with the good.
Torque steers like crazy under moderate to heavy throttle. Clearly demonstrating its FWD bias. The issue is exacerbated with bikes and/or gear in/on the back. Downshifting at hwy speed to pass someone makes for an exciting but brief moment until things straighten out.
Visibility out the back is not so good. The rear seats sit high and in the way of drivers rear view as well as the rear door mounted spare tire. Ground clearance is not great. I'm so used to my 4Runners generous clearance that I sometimes forget to watch out for larger rocks or other trail obstacles.
Front seats are uncomfortable on long drives.
Gearing. First gear is low enough for most mild trail and that's good but it's almost too low for city/traffic driving. The choice is either to wrap it out in 1st for stop and go stuff or lug it in second. The jump between 1st and 2nd is not so smooth. I'm not sure what the ratio differences are but it feels like the margin is pretty wide.
Lack of skid plating. With not a lot of clearance to spare you would think Honda might have at least covered the front diff/transaxle with something...even a plastic guard would help some.
Finally, fuel consumption and range could be better. I read of people getting 300-350 miles to a tank. I assumed this was hwy. I may be able to reach that 300 mark but I think I'd be on fumes. That said, my experiences have only been when we've been on MTB trips so the Honda is pretty well loaded, probably 600-650lbs of people, bikes and our stuff. Not sure how much that may change with a light load.
Okay, now with the things I like.
It's a pretty nimble little rig. On MTB trail maintanence/scouting excursions it's not uncommon to encounter fallen trees that needed to be cut and removed to get by. Many times my 4Runner would barely not fit, too wide or too tall and it was frustrating. The little Honda so far has been able to just squeeze by or under them.
For its small size it feels quite roomy inside.
Traction has been better than what I expected. I took some rutted and muddy two track roads that I did not expect to be able to negotiate, but it did. The General AT2's probably had more to do with it that the 4wheel drive system
1st gear. While it's a bone of contention in traffic it's welcome when off the beaten path. With the lack of a low range 1st gear does a pretty good job for most of what the Honda can handle off the pavement. When things are steep you have to stay in 1st and perhaps rev it's nuts off, resisting the urge to shift to second in order to make the climb, but I have been surprised what it has climbed.
160 hp is not a lot but the little Honda makes good use of it and will cruise easily at 80mph, and even when loaded with shtuff it has scampered up mountain passes with little to no protest. Impressive.
5 speed manual. I like manual transmissions.
Torque steers like crazy under moderate to heavy throttle. Clearly demonstrating its FWD bias. The issue is exacerbated with bikes and/or gear in/on the back. Downshifting at hwy speed to pass someone makes for an exciting but brief moment until things straighten out.
Visibility out the back is not so good. The rear seats sit high and in the way of drivers rear view as well as the rear door mounted spare tire. Ground clearance is not great. I'm so used to my 4Runners generous clearance that I sometimes forget to watch out for larger rocks or other trail obstacles.
Front seats are uncomfortable on long drives.
Gearing. First gear is low enough for most mild trail and that's good but it's almost too low for city/traffic driving. The choice is either to wrap it out in 1st for stop and go stuff or lug it in second. The jump between 1st and 2nd is not so smooth. I'm not sure what the ratio differences are but it feels like the margin is pretty wide.
Lack of skid plating. With not a lot of clearance to spare you would think Honda might have at least covered the front diff/transaxle with something...even a plastic guard would help some.
Finally, fuel consumption and range could be better. I read of people getting 300-350 miles to a tank. I assumed this was hwy. I may be able to reach that 300 mark but I think I'd be on fumes. That said, my experiences have only been when we've been on MTB trips so the Honda is pretty well loaded, probably 600-650lbs of people, bikes and our stuff. Not sure how much that may change with a light load.
Okay, now with the things I like.
It's a pretty nimble little rig. On MTB trail maintanence/scouting excursions it's not uncommon to encounter fallen trees that needed to be cut and removed to get by. Many times my 4Runner would barely not fit, too wide or too tall and it was frustrating. The little Honda so far has been able to just squeeze by or under them.
For its small size it feels quite roomy inside.
Traction has been better than what I expected. I took some rutted and muddy two track roads that I did not expect to be able to negotiate, but it did. The General AT2's probably had more to do with it that the 4wheel drive system
1st gear. While it's a bone of contention in traffic it's welcome when off the beaten path. With the lack of a low range 1st gear does a pretty good job for most of what the Honda can handle off the pavement. When things are steep you have to stay in 1st and perhaps rev it's nuts off, resisting the urge to shift to second in order to make the climb, but I have been surprised what it has climbed.
160 hp is not a lot but the little Honda makes good use of it and will cruise easily at 80mph, and even when loaded with shtuff it has scampered up mountain passes with little to no protest. Impressive.
5 speed manual. I like manual transmissions.
