2007 Honda CR-V

1131416181957

Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Understood, but my point was the V6 did not prevent them from losing the crown. In fact the Accord has not been the best selling car since they started offering a V6 in it.

    -juice
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    To the rental companies, the story changes.

    I think Honda just caved under pressure and started building V-6 Accors in 1995. We sell a fair amount of them but nothing compared to the 4 cylinders.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wonder what the spread is for Toyota RAV4, 4 bangers vs. V6, I mean. I think they sell a lot of V6s, at least from reports here on Edmunds.

    -juice
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    Honda held out from offering a V6 for the Accord as well, early 90s you may recall. Here's the funny part: soon after they started offering the V6, the Accord actually lost the sales crown to the Toyota Camry.

    I thought the Ford Taurus was the #1 seller before the Toyota Camry?
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    I thought the Ford Taurus was the #1 seller before the Toyota Camry?

    Ford Taurus #1 best seller. I believe that occured during another millennium. What history books have you been reading ;)
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    I'm sure if Honda came out with a V6 CRV, heck, a V8, you'd be here espousing the merits of it. Why? Because you sell Hondas! Shocking revelation!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Nice...thank you for that.

    The veterans in these forums know I pretty much call it as I see it.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    "Try filling it with four people and a weekend's worth of ski gear, and then head into the mountains (for example)."

    Why stop there? How about 5 people with enough camping gear to fill the cargo area plus a hitch-mounted cargo platform on the back. Make it a 6 hour drive into the mountains for a weekend of camping and rafting.

    Oh, and make it a 1999 CR-V with the 2.0, not the 2.4L engine.

    IIRC, I got 26 mpg on that trip.

    I laugh when people tell me these vehicles are underpowered. They want the thing to jump off the line, but they aren't willing to to push the pedal down more than half way.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Hey, I am a veteran in these forums, and we've crossed paths before, so I'm familiar with the general tone of your posts. No surprises. I guess Honda wants you to have your attitude. After all, they want to employ people who believe in their products, right. You may call it as you see it, but I think you see things thru filtered glasses.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    "I disagree. Acura will provide some of the stuff—but in different packaging—and with with a premium stcker price."

    Well... what do you expect? Do you think they can just let buyers pick and choose between an I4, V6, turbo, or hybrid. Then, at the same time, pick whether they want a sunroof, leather, pwr seats, 3rd row, full-size spare, manual transmission, alloys, and every other piece of equipment.

    There's absolutely no way to please everybody. Trying to do so would bankrupt them. So Acura picks the hardware that meets the needs of the bulk of their buyers and Honda does the same.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Reminds me of how everyone suggested the 2002 CR-V was going to flop. Everybody knew Honda had missed the boat when they failed to match the god-like 200 hp V6 in the Escape.

    12 months later, the CR-V was selling faster than the Escape. Then the Escape went on a diet of heavy incentives, while the CR-V sold at MSRP for another year.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    There is no right or wrong answer to a question regarding adequacy of power, IMO. Depends on the person driving it. My wife thinks her Mini is just fine. I think it's a slug (a cute slug, mind you). No doubt there is a large population of consumers who would think the CR-V is fine with a 4, but I just think Honda would do good to offer a choice for those who wants more power but who may not want to move up in bulk to a Pilot. I'm sure they could shoehorn the old 3.0 V6 in without much problem. Yes, I know the 3.0 is yesterday's engine, but so is the motor in the Fit.
  • steveaccordsteveaccord Member Posts: 108
    Hi all,

    It seems after a long absence I got almost immediately reminded on why I may have shyed away from these forums!
    Well I hope everyone can remind to him/herself that after all all posts are personal and do express perosnal opinions (varmint and other tech savvy ones are most likely excused byt the above statements when engaged in their tech and parafernali analyses).
    So I would generally invite everyone to be mindful of that and to avoid personal crusades against those whom we are in dissent with!
    On a point and case exemplification for the istance referring to Isellhondas, I would have made the following statement/request:
    Why hondas doeas not affford greater flexibilty for options/addenda teh way that is affroded by the Toyota/Lexus brands.
    I think that (IMHO) would definitely scratch under the glossy he was painting addressing the previous request about that issue.
    But that is just me and MHO!
    Kudos,

    Steve
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    "Honda's obsessiveness over fuel efficiency makes a lot of business sense"

    The sad irony is that they opted for a turbo 4 in the RDX, but the gas mileage sucks! IMO, they could have improved both performance and gas mileage, not to mention driveability, with a V6 in the RDX.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    "Perhaps we'll see a lower-boost version of the RD-X engine in the CR-V in a year or two (SE = Sport Enhanced?), but for now, they're banking on the freshness of both models to get enough sales for them."

    Doubt it. Honda has a new VTEC system in production for a Japanese vehicle (Stream?). It features a continuously variable VTEC design with a few other enhancements. This new VTEC provides an even broader torque curve, a reasonable boost in power, and improvements in both efficiency and emissions.

    The word on the street is that Honda may bring this engine to the US with the 2008 Accord. It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect it to be added to the CR-V line for the MMC. While it wouldn't be as dramatic a change as a V6 or turbo, it would please those who want a little more power without losing any ground in fuel economy or emissions. Win/win.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    "The sad irony is that they opted for a turbo 4 in the RDX, but the gas mileage sucks!"

    It's better than the mileage of the I6-powered X3, which has less horsepower and torque.
  • gpoltgpolt Member Posts: 113
    AND "I can't remember the last time I" saw an unsold, new five speed CRV on a Honda lot - but my 33 year old female cousin purchased one after a 3 week arduous search. Every Toyota and Honda dealership asserts that its manual transmission autos are "difficult to locate" (when selling at MSRP to a perspective buyer), difficult to re-sell (when asserting a low-ball trade-in value) and miraculously "difficult to locate" (when it's re-sold at full Kelly Retail when re-entered on to the used car market). Toyota dropped the V6 Solara stickshift, the RAV4 stick and Honda now the CRV. Oh But What A Shock - there are no unsold 2006s on the lots. Let's be honest folks, Honda and Toyota are in a position to manufacture whatever they deem fit and until GM/Ford/D-B admit they have an inferior product and do something about it, we the American public will continue to purchase whatever Japan throws at us.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    The X3 is an acknowledged gas hog. That's like saying someone is smarter than the dumbest kid in the class --- still nothing to brag about. But don't forget the X3 is getting the new 6 for '07. More power and economy.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Give him a break, he knows which models sell the most volume and whether we like it or not it's the 4 banger models, not the V6s.

    And while a lot of people that work for a dealer in one way or another here on Edmunds, isell comes across as far more unbiased than most.

    If the launch had been a month ago, when gas prices hit their peak, people would be saying how incredibly genius it was to offer just one fuel efficient powertrain.

    -juice
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I draw a major distinction between cars that work hard to get going, and ones that breeze off the line. Case in point -- I have been driving my Outback XT over the past few week or so because of the lousy wet weather in the East. This came after weeks of driving only the S2000. I was reminded how easily the OB XT gets up to speed -- barely breaks a sweat, and merges on the highway with no fuss. Personally, I think that car is overpowered when you get into higher RPMs, but the upside at low RPMs is relaxed brisk-acceleration without revving the heck out of the engine. I'm back in the S2000 today, and you really have to work it to get similar acceleration (which is part of the game with the S2000, and pairs up nicely with the great shifter). I don't mind a high-revving engine in a sportster, but it just seems out of place to me in a larger utility vehicle. If I have to floor the CR-V or wind it out to get some reasonable response, that's not going to fit in with my personal tastes for such a vehicle. I really prefer engines that are more relaxed in a wagon/SUV.

    Sorry to belabor the point, I guess it's a personal taste. And I don't mean to dis the CR-V -- it would just be a better vehicle for me if it had more grunt.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    The sad irony is that they opted for a turbo 4 in the RDX, but the gas mileage sucks! IMO, they could have improved both performance and gas mileage, not to mention driveability, with a V6 in the RDX.

    Only the 3.5/V6 would come close to delivering the torque that RDX turbo-4 does. So, drivability isn't even an issue with RDX. Now, many have complained about turbo lag, but I suspect more of it is perceived due to DBW system not necessarily due to all turbo lag.

    19/24 mpg isn't too bad, actually. Compared to RX350, which gets more power but less torque, and weighs about the same, gets similar gas mileage.

    Personally, I wanted to see Acura use 3.2 or 3.5 V6 in RDX, but when it comes to taking final decision, I have to surrender my authority to its engineers.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I think Toyota upset the power/economy balance with the very nice 3.5l V6 they just launched in the RAV4. Mileage is in the 20s even in the EPA city tests, despite all the power.

    Forester XT actually manages 21/26 mpg but it requires premium fuel, and that's off-putting to a lot of people. The RAV4 can run on regular.

    I'm sure people are looking for an alternative to the RAV4, which still has a gate door that opens the wrong way, a poor view to the back, and a relatively cheap interior. Nothing wrong with that engine, however.

    -juice
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Honda didn't offer 5 speeds when the first gen CRV's came out. After hearing requests for them, they decided to go ahead and produce some.

    I know you probably find this hard to believe, but they simply do not sell very well at all, at least in my neck of the woods where there a lot of hills and lots of traffic.

    And, as used cars they don't sell well either.

    Like it or not, if it doesn't make financial sense for a company to produce something, they won't. They will annoy some by these decisions but it's just a business decision.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Whatever you want to call it, lag or otherwise, the RDX is somewhat weak at low RPMs. Combine it with the mediocre gas mileage (which is actually 19/23) and I don't understand the engine choice -- it's not very strong on power or economy. To boot, the real-world gas mileage reports on the RDX have been lousy. Even if you assume the engines are green and need to be broken in, this is not a good sign.

    I don't necessarily think the RDX needed a V6, but they could have done better than the current engine choice. And the fact that the vehicle is so heavy doesn't help either. It's got a siginificant weight penalty over the CR-V and other vehicles in the size class.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    EPA numbers, sure. While RAV4 seems like it does well with V6 (and compares well with I4 models), road tests have shown otherwise.

    More power does come with a penalty.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Hmm...unbiased car salesman. Classic oxymoron? :surprise:
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    "..he knows which models sell the most volume and whether we like it or not it's the 4 banger models, not the V6s."

    Yep, your bread and butter product will make you money, but offering choices brings in, and retains, your customers.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    "...the real-world gas mileage reports on the RDX have been lousy."

    My fear is that the RDX will be one of those vehicles that get lousy real-world mpg, even though EPA numbers look decent. The Mini is another.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    While it may be an oxymoron, I won't be surprised if there are more salespeople lurking in these boards and posing as "real owners". At least isell is clear upfront about himself.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Yep, gotta give him that. It's just that it would be refreshing if he doesn't always come off as if he's reading verbatim from the corporate sales manual.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I don't need a lesson in economics.

    I welcome any new model Honda decides to build! I just don't happen to think a V-6 CRV would sell in any large numbers!

    Same with the demise of the five speeds. When they announced that at a recent meeting nobody really cared since we sell so few.

    I will say one thing...Honda does listen. If there is enough noise about people wanting a V-6, they will probably start producing them.

    For some reason, they don't ask me for many suggestions but my vote would be no.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    I think, at Honda, it is more about avoiding impulsive decisions. They hold on to a good thing while it works, keep an eye on market's direction and then go for it. How many times have we seen it said that Honda is late to the game, yet... when the product comes around, it proves to be a success in the marketplace.

    Even with the V6. IMO, while it may not be the most powerful V6 in its class, the Accord's V6 is the sweetest (for my taste buds anyway). Pilot was a late entry, and so was MDX. As was the first sincere attempt at an American minivan. Then there is Ridgeline, unique, but one of the few that hasn't seen a drastic drop in sales.

    Who is to say Honda won't offer V6 in CR-V (or RDX) in the future? If they see a potential for growth, that might happen at some point. At this point, CR-V sales have continued to grow every year, and at 150K units/year, there is hardly anything to complain about. Also considering that the next model above it (Pilot) is selling at a brisk pace (should easily top 220K units/year this year).

    Technically, Honda might sell 620-650K units of its three SUVs, including Element, CR-V and Pilot. Thats not too bad! And they don't seem to cannibalize sales from each other.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    it would be fan-freakin'-tastic if we could stick to talking about the vehicles and not about other members who may wish to buy or sell them. Thanks for making my night! (well, you folks and a tasty gin & tonic)

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • mnfmnf Member Posts: 405
    I could be wrong but I belive the reason ( Camry or Taurus ) were # 1 was due to it fleet sales. You take the fleet sales out it was a was a different picture.

    >>> M
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    That is a true statement. Last year (2005) may have been the only year when Accord was slightly edged out in retail sales (i.e. not counting fleet sales) by any of its competition since the late 1980s.

    Based on last two months of sales, Honda is still sticking with about 1% fleet sales for Accord, whereas 19% of Camrys went to fleet in July, and 15% in August.

    The same logic actually applies to RAV4 and CR-V. I was surprised to see number of RAV4s at rental parking lots last week.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I agree.

    It seems Honda tends to be last to market sometimes but when they do make the move, they do a good job of it.

    The Odyssey is probably the best example of this.
  • joecarnutjoecarnut Member Posts: 215
    In those last videos the dash and console looked huge.

    They must of got a small person with small hands for the video.
  • joecarnutjoecarnut Member Posts: 215
    The car looks great in the video.

    I don't see the front end being a factor either. Never really ever did, but the video comfirmed it for me.

    A slick looking CUV that gets 30 mpg.
    If I can convince myself that the mpg is good enough I may just buy this vehicle provided it performs like all the reviewers have said it performs.

    A good looking, comfortable riding, quiet station wagon. :)
  • mugen_power77mugen_power77 Member Posts: 5
    i'd have to 100% agree with isellhondas...since i too seel hondas ;) the 5 speed manual cr-v just sits around until the right person comes along looking for it at the lot its on or another lot and they dealer trade for it when sold. i am now the inventory control manager at my dealership but i still sell cars. the v6 accords appeal to all those people that are used to having the big GM/Buick, Pontiac, and Ford vehicles that just came with a v6, such as the taurus, bonnevile, grand prix, impala, etc. and those customers just have to have that v6...it isn't even an issue of the power or response of the I4 they didn't even consider it they just bought what they previously owned with different badging.

    the manual cr-vs are fun to play around with though...quite different inside with the lack of the armrest and having a console on the floor where the auto has a flow thru design. they are just like the manual accords...snappy and quick but not appealing to the masses that probably drive these cars every day in traffic and what not.
  • ccacpccacp Member Posts: 117
    I will say one thing...Honda does listen.
    Listen ? ! ? If Honda would have listened, they would have redesigned that UGLY front !
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    You are certainly entitled to your opinion.
  • i4abuyi4abuy Member Posts: 3
    All the comparisons I've read on this board seem to be with the RDX and the RAV-4. In a few words, what I take away is that the RAV-4 and the CR-V are a matter of personal taste and that the RDX is overpriced, and by more than a few dollars.

    Has anyone got opinions on the CR-V relative to the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander? Warren Brown, the reviewer for the Washington Post was enthusiastic (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/01/AR2006090101002- .html) but he has also written good things about the 2007 CR-V. The Outlander has a V-6, is expected to be cheaper, and comes out in November. How's a guy to choose? Is this one worth waiting for?
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    If you look at Misubishis lousy resale values and consumer ratings they still haven't figured out how to market cars...same with Nissan.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    EPA numbers, sure. While RAV4 seems like it does well with V6 (and compares well with I4 models), road tests have shown otherwise.

    More power does come with a penalty


    I'll agree if you add the caveat "if you use it".

    In the RAV4 threads roughly half the V6 mileage reports are above 20mpg, the rest below. Car mags are getting closer to 16-18mpg, but they have lead feet, and this V6 entices them to keep the pedal to the metal.

    The daily driver folks that take it easy often beat 20mpg, though.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The new Outlander looks good on paper but 220hp can't hold a candle to the RAV4 V6 and the mileage is actually lower.

    But a bigger issue I have is that it's based on the Caliber platform. Strange, I know. You have to wonder how well underpinnings designed for a $15k econohatch will do in a $25k CUV.

    It'll also share parts with the Lancer (including EVO), and the Jeep Compass and Patriot. :confuse:

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The greenhouse is growing on me, the D-pillar doesn't bother me at all any more. I used to think it was saggy-looking, but that was mostly due to bad sketches that made it look worse than it is.

    The "warts" on the lower cladding all but disappear in the video. You don't notice them. Of course the video is small, in person that may be different.

    The front still looks like the hood isn't closed all the way. It sort of spoils an overall elegant look.

    Questions - is that the CD changer he pulls out of the center console?

    Also, looks like he pulls a PCMCIA card out from behind the NAV, what is that for? Downloading map updates?

    -juice

    PS PCMCIA stands for People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms. :D
  • jpbranjpbran Member Posts: 37
    The Outlander looks pretty nice, but I'd be worried about the long-term value as Mistubishi is NOT doing well right now (understatement). The expected turnaround doesn't seem to be happening, and expecting one small SUV to change things seems kinda unrealistic.

    Not to sound too pessimistic, but more than one industry writer is predicting that Mitsu may not be round too much longer...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    At least you can get some of the parts at your Dodge dealer. :D

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I see a lot of RAV4 V6s on the road. If Toyota call sell the V6 model in good numbers, I see no reason why Honda couldn't too.

    Bob
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.