Honda CR-V sheds cute image, adds bolder style and power

Pricing remains in the $19,000 to $23,000 range. The starting manufacturer's suggested retail price with destination charge is $19,260 two-wheel drive model with manual transmission and no side airbags.

The test vehicle was the top-of-the-line EX with four-wheel drive. It's what Honda calls Real Time 4WD and is the same system that was in the previous generation CR-V. It doesn't require any shifting or button-pushing to activate.

The system typically operates with all the engine power sent to the front wheels. This optimizes fuel usage and reduces noise and vibration.

But if there's a loss of traction in front in slippery conditions, power can be transferred automatically to the rear wheels through a hydraulic, multi-plate clutch. The loss of traction must occur first before the system gets the signal to engage.

The improved horsepower and torque from the CR-V's new engine are noticeable.

Compared with the 146-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder in earlier CR-Vs, the 2002 model has a 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder that can produce 162 foot-pounds of torque at 3,600 rpm.

I got up to city speeds more quickly than in the previous generation CR-V, and the improved passing power on the highway was noticeable, too. The engine just seemed to respond more readily, especially at lower speeds.

Yet, the better performance doesn't penalize fuel economy. The rating for the test 4WD EX was 22 miles a gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Last year's CR-V 4WD EX with automatic had a 25 mpg rating on the highway.

Shifting, controlled by a new four-speed automatic transmission in the test CR-V, was impressively refined with smooth shift points.

The shift lever, however, isn't mounted on the steering column or set into a floor console. It's integrated into the dashboard, to the right of the steering wheel, and takes a bit of getting used to.

Note the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, which compete with the CR-V in the small SUV segment, offer V6 as well as four-cylinder powerplants. The CR-V is offered with four-cylinder only.

The CR-V can tow 1,500 pounds now, up from 1,000 in the previous model. But the Escape and Tribute have 3,500-pound maximum towing capability for boats and trailers.

There's a new suspension and more rigid structure in the new CR-V. It not only helps improve ride and handling but makes the vehicle more crashworthy.

I noticed that the new CR-V glossed over road surfaces and some bumps with a firmness that meant vibration but not the sharpness bumps often cause. The CR-V took curves and mountain twisties with greater confidence than the previous generation.

The new exterior styling seems to cry out for larger rubber, but Honda continues with factory-installed 15-inch tires on the new CR-V, the same as last year. Bigger tires are a growing trend in SUVs, with the Toyota RAV4 and the Escape both fitted with standard 16-inchers.

The CR-V interior lets sounds in, and the four-cylinder could be heard upon acceleration. There was also wind noise at highway speeds and some car noise from outside in city traffic.

Honda did improve the CR-V sound system, however. In EX models, a high-performance system with in-dashboard, six-CD player, is standard.

Brakes are upgraded this year and finally include discs at both the front and rear. Up to now, CR-Vs had rear brake drums.

But antilock brakes are standard only on the top-of-the-line EX.

Be sure to check out the parking brake in the new CR-V. It's a lever you have to pull. But it's not on the floor; it's part of the center stack of the dashboard and can be a real puzzler for the unaware.

The fabric on the CR-V's cloth seats held me in place during driving, but I'd like to have a dead pedal, too. The seat cushions give the impression of a heavy sponge when you sit.

Watch as you climb out of the back seat. The rear wheel wells are right there at the doorway. But overall, getting in and out doesn't take a big leap, thanks to the CR-V's moderate climb-in height.

The interior feels nicely open, and there's a good 33.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second-row seats.

Honda continues to equip this model with a nifty carry-along table that serves as the under-the-carpet floor in the cargo area. At roadside stops, the table can be removed for an impromptu picnic. It includes plastic bag holders now and has a nicer finish.

Rear seats have new features. Legroom is improved in back with more than 2.5 inches, and seats can slide fore and aft nearly 7 inches.<