1997 - 2001 Honda CR-V review

	Honda CR-V has been introduced in 1996. It was one of the first small car-like SUVs on the market. Even though it was slightly underpowered (126 hp), many customers appreciated the unique combination of low fuel consumption, all-wheel drive, spacious versatile interior and reliability. Thanks to unibody construction, four-wheel independent suspension and light weight (only 3160 lb or 1433 kg), the 1997-2001 Honda CR-V offered very predictable car-like handling. Inside you will find well-designed, user-friendly instrument panel, easy to use controls, lots of cargo space and many convenience features, including even a fold-out picnic table under the trunk carpet. There are number of cup holders and storage compartments, including a storage box under the front passenger's seat. The rear seats fold almost flat for extra cargo space. The CR-V's all-wheel drive system was not designed for real off-road adventures, but it's proven to be helpful on slippery roads. In normal conditions, Honda CR-V is powered by the front wheels. As the front wheels lose traction and start slipping, the rear wheels kick in to help. This is accomplished by the use of viscous clutch to engage the rear wheels. In the NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 1998-2001 Honda CR-V received 4 stars for the driver and 5 stars for the front passenger. In the side-impact crash tests, the 1999-2001 models received five stars for both the front and the rear seat. For more details, visit Safercar.gov.

Strengths

- Good fuel economy for an SUV
- All-wheel drive system
- Practical, versatile interior
- Lots of cargo space
- Good crash-test ratings
- Good resale value

Weaknesses

- Road and engine noise
- Slightly underpowered
- No V6 engine
- Rear wheels kick in with a short delay after front wheels start slipping
- Low towing capacity
- Unstable in high winds, as any other light-weight tall vehicle

Overall

The 1997-2001 Honda CR-V offered good fuel economy, versatile comfortable interior and car-like handling. The CR-V is fun to drive and fairly easy to maintain vehicle. Roomy interior makes Honda CR-V perfect for travel. Simple four-wheel drive system works fine on snowy roads. Overall, Honda CR-V has been pretty reliable but lack of maintenance could lead to problems.
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What to look for when buying a used Honda CR-V

Definitely check the used car history records to protect yourself from hidden problems, follow this link: How to check car history by VIN number
Look for the trailer hitch - if the car was used for towing a trailer, the transmission could be excessively worn.
A strong jolt or (and) a clunk when shifting the automatic transmission into reverse could indicate a transmission problem.
Make sure the engine works smooth whether it's cold or hot.
If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic or a Honda dealer before buying a car - in some cases, the repair could be quite expensive. Follow this link to learn more: What to look for when buying a used car - illustrated checklist.
As a final step prior purchase, I always recommend to have the car properly inspected by a mechanic.
Check our step-by-step Used car buying guide

Honda CR-V service and maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your car regularly to protect the paint.
- Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in good shape.
- Try to avoid overheating the engine; it may cause serious problems.
- Change transmission fluid as recommended in the owner's manual.
- Rear differential fluid also needs periodic changes; use only original Honda fluid.
Worn out differential fluid may cause groaning or humming noise from the rear end while turning.
- Engine valves need to be properly adjusted at recommended intervals.
- Stick with original Honda parts.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- Have your car inspected, at least once a year, in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at fast lube places; the vehicle must be on the lift.
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Honda CR-V Specifications (1999 model)

Links

If you are looking for more detailed technical information

If you want to find technical information about you car such as repair manual, check engine codes description, wiring diagrams, diagnostic procedures, fluid type, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, recalls, etc. follow this link:

by Vlad Samarin