Honda CR-V - Anyone got one?

proto

Thinking of swapping my Volvo V50 for a newish Honda CR-V. New shape, diesel, manual.

Anyone got one and care to give a mini review of it, with particular reference to bike friendliness? Fuel consumption, reliability, etc?

Thanks

gkerr4

a friend of mine has one - he is disapointed with the fuel consumption - that earlier 2.2CDTi engine doesn't have a lot of friends. We had a honda FRV a while back which was a 1.7 petrol it was the worst economy I have ever seen out of a car - 24mpg at best on the motorway. We "nearly" changed it for the diesel but my concern was that the 1.7petrol was "rated" at 44mpg - it was no where near and the diesel was only "rated" at 48! - a scan on internet forums found no-one was getting anywhere near that figure either - 36 if they were lucky!

It was also pretty put badly put together - my mates CR-V is the same - i hate the way they scrimp on clearcoat lacquer anywhere which isn't an outside surface - so you open the doors and there is matt paint there.

The interior is nice though and it is comfy.

In place of the FR-V we actually bought a VW touran which isn't the best looking car on the planet but is remarkably useful as a family car and as a bike transporter as bikes standup on the inside and all three individual seats can fold, slide forward or be removed. and it gets 50mpg on the motorway - which is good for a car which isn't exactly aerodynamic!

Berk Bonebonce

Cars suck.

sundog

Berk Bonebonce wrote:

Cars suck.

Especially 4x4's

Avanti Roman

My parents have a 2010 CRV Petrol EX.

They average around 32mpg and doesn't feel lacking in torque either. I think they averaged 38-40mpg when they tried the derv. They only cover 10k miles p.a. and the considerably lower purchase price and 0% finance on the petrol model made it the better buy.

Although not the most exciting car it is very well built and always seems to top reliability surveys for 4x4s. It is very spacious for its fairly compact footprint, well equipped though some of the interior finishes could feel plusher. They've not used it to transport bikes but I'd have thought it would be pretty good. I'd probably have preferred a Mazda CX7 or Freelander personally but I guess the CRV is a good compromise and always seems to top any reliability survey for 4x4s.

They weren't looking for off road ability but do need to tackle snow & floods on hilly rural back roads to avoid being stranded in winter. The CRV manages this without the thirst/size/performance/ tax penalties associated with some 4x4s. The higher driving position is really useful for seeing over hedgerows further up the road ahead for cyclists, horse riders, livestock, walkers & tractors all of which are frequently encountered on the narrow local roads.

I hear the Kia Sportage & Hyundai ix35 are both excellent and great value new (if in budget).

gkerr4

sundog wrote:

Berk Bonebonce wrote:

Cars suck.

Especially 4x4's

except when you (I) get stuck on the farm every year in the ice / snow / floods (delete as appropriate) - they are not all bought for the school / knightsbridge run...

giant_man

gkerr4 wrote:

sundog wrote:

Berk Bonebonce wrote:

Cars suck.

Especially 4x4's

except when you (I) get stuck on the farm every year in the ice / snow / floods (delete as appropriate) - they are not all bought for the school / knightsbridge run...

but most definitely are!

gkerr4

i guess so

but still, there was a big massive brush and whole lot of tar went into the previous statement!

bigpikle

like ours - 2010 diesel auto.

Not very economical in auto form but drives really well, well spec'd, comfortable and a brilliant family car with lots of mice touches. With the rear seats down you can get a couple of bikes in lengthways if they dont have mudguards and you remove the front wheels. Its high enough inside that once you get them in they stand upright easily enough. The rear seat splits in 3 ways and you can still get a bike in with 1 of the rear seats in place.

The roofrack fittings are a PITA and the Thule kit takes ages to fit unlike the previous model and most Thule kits I've used. With no rear wheel there's no easy way to hang bikes on the back like the old shape either unless you get a towbar fitted and mount a rack that way.

I really like the car but suspect there are better bike carrying wagons simply because there are more vehicles with a wider range of easier bike carriers and fittings. I've had a few Hondas over the years and every one has been more reliable and a better ownership proposition than the German premium stuff I've also owned. I'd recommend it if it fits the bill for you, certainly better than the Freelander and other mini 4x4's I have driven or tested.

juankerr

Bigpikle wrote:

like ours - 2010 diesel auto.

Not very economical in auto form but drives really well, well spec'd, comfortable and a brilliant family car with lots of mice touches. .

What? You mean it squeaks a lot. That would get annoying after a while. I'd avoid.

proto

Thanks all. Probably going to get one - EX diesel. I'll report back.

rake

volvo for life .

JohnnyAllez

My bro has an `09 one, it drinks like a fish Nice to drive and comfortable / roomy etc if that`s your thing.