Honda CR-V History: Generations, Models & More

Honda is a name popular among the most reliable car manufacturers across the globe. Hailing from Japan, this automaker was a renowned motorcycle manufacturer before it launched its first car. Honda launched its first model CR-V in 1995 and it was an instant hit. Since then Honda has launched six generations of its popular car model, the Honda CR-V. The model was integrated with the finest technology of the time, Honda CR-V gained fame as a compact crossover SUV.

Let’s discover all the details about the Honda CR-V generations and take a glimpse back at its journey over the years.

Journey of Honda CR-V

Ranked among the most popular used Honda cars in the UAE, Honda CR-V is one of the best crossover SUVs in the segment. The model has maintained its reputation in the market for all these years.

While a British auto review article, that Honda republished, used the title ‘Compact Recreational Vehicle’ for CR-V, Honda claims that CR-V is an abbreviation for ‘Comfortable Runabout Vehicle’. Despite the many interpretations of the acronym, Honda CR-V enjoys a distinct position in the auto market and a significant increase in demand with newer generations.

Here is an overview of the six Honda CR-V generations to trace its history.

First Generation Honda CR-V (1995 – 2001)

Dubbed in 1995, the first-generation Honda CR-V set the bar for compact crossover SUVs. However, it wasn’t until 1997, the model was sent out for sale. Honda CR-V was based on the same platform as the Civic.

Initially, the CR-V was released in one trim, the LX trim, powered by a 2.0-litre engine. It delivered an output of 128 horsepower and a torque of 133 pound-feet. Honda used a uni-body chassis for its 4-wheel independent suspension and a flat interior floor. The rear seat could be folded to enhance cargo space. The front passenger seat had a storage bin beneath it, holding a foldable picnic table.

After a few years, the EX trim of the Honda CR-V was introduced. The Honda CR-V EX featured an anti-locking braking system (ABS). Customers had an option to choose from two drive trains, four-wheel drive (4WD) and front-wheel drive.

In 1999, Honda CR-V received a facelift featuring a new front bumper, a radio antenna on the roof, and a front grille with an enlarged Honda emblem. The engine was also improved to deliver about 146 horsepower and 143 pound-feet of torque at 6200 rpm. This in turn improved the fuel economy. Despite the improvement in engine and fuel economy, the price of the CR-V remained the same which attracted more customers to buy this SUV.

Second Generation Honda CR-V (2001 – 2006)

The Honda CR-V’s second generation was launched for sale in November 2001. The new CR-V generation was based on Honda Civic’s seventh generation. It was a fully refreshed version of the old CR-V model and was powered by the K24A1 engine. The engine delivered 160 horsepower and 162 pound-foot of torque offering the same fuel economy despite an increase in power.

After the release of the second-generation Honda CR-V, the model only received minor tweaks till 2004. In 2005, CR-V again received a facelift which added an SE trim to the existing ones. The facelift featured changes in car wheel size, headlights, tail lights, and many other external and internal changes. In addition, the rear seat headrests were changed to improve the driver’s rear view, audio controls were added to the steering wheel, and the stereo was changed.

Concerning safety, the second-generation CR-Vs featured front-seat and side curtain-mounted airbags with rollover sensors to protect car occupants. Also, advanced systems like ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist, Electronic brake force distribution, and traction control system were added to the second-generation Honda CR-V.

Third Generation Honda CR-V (2007 – 2011)

The third-gen Honda CR-V was released in 2007. Compared to the earlier CR-V models, this CR-V was broader, lower, and shorter. The CR-V’s spare tyre was moved from the back to underneath the rear cargo compartment to shorten the vehicle. The car’s centre of gravity was also lowered by repositioning the spare tyre.

A 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine was introduced in the new CR-V model, delivering a power boost to 166 horsepower and 161 pound-foot of torque. Also, the five-speed manual transmission was replaced with five-speed automatic transmission in all models.

In 2009, Honda CR-V third generation introduced a major facelift featuring changes in design, equipment, and powertrain. The changes included a redesigned lower front grille, new tail lights, a front bumper, and a horizontal-slit chrome grille. New alloy wheels were also added with a redesigned rear bumper.

Fourth Generation Honda CR-V (2012 – 2016)

Even though the new Honda CR-V’s size didn’t alter significantly, its upscale progression continued with its makeover in 2012. The four-cylinder, 2.4-litre engine still came with an automatic five-speed transmission, but its power was marginally raised to 185 horsepower and 163 pound-foot of torque. The AWD (all-wheel-drive) drivetrain was featured in the fourth-generation CR-V with an intelligent control system.

Bluetooth connectivity and a 5″ multifunction centre screen with steering-wheel controls were added as two new standard features. A dual-zone automatic climate control system and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system were also added. With the release of the fourth-generation Honda CR-V, a backup camera became standard in all the CR-V trims.

In 2015, the fourth-generation Honda CR-V received a major facelift. This new model of CR-V used a combination of the direct-injected Earth Dreams engine and CVT – Continuous Variable Transmission. The combination increased overall fuel efficiency by 10%.

Fifth Generation Honda CR-V (2017 – 2021)

This Honda CR-V brought about significant interior and exterior improvements. While CR-V’s EX models and higher received a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower, the LX trim levels continued to use a 2.4-litre four-cylinder. A CVT transmission was used with both engines.

The new CR-V’s impeccably crafted cabin was quite a class and had options like a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 7” touchscreen multimedia system. The infotainment system had smartphone compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Advanced safety features such as Lane departure, forward-collision warning and road departure mitigation with automated emergency braking are made part of the Honda Smart Sense technology.

Sixth Generation Honda CR-V (Present)

The sixth generation Honda CR-V made its debut in 2022 and maintained the same engine line-up. However, more contemporary and technologically advanced features made their way into the new CR-V generation. Compared to earlier Honda CR-V generations, the features are now more safety and driver-centric.

The CR-V 2022 features a 2.4-litre i-VTEC direct-injection engine, capable of delivering a power output of 184 horsepower and 244 nano-metre of torque. The Honda VTEC engines were introduced in 1989 for improving fuel economy and performance.

The All-New CR-V elevates the bar for interior elegance with its entirely revamped car cabin, which demonstrates to be the best in its class with innovation, premium amenities, and utility. Modern driving technology is presented on the attractive and functional dashboard, which puts valuable data right in the driver’s line of sight.

Trims of Honda CR-V 2022

The following trims are available in Honda CR-V 2022. The difference between the trims lies in their features such as wheel size, multimedia and connectivity, and many others.

Honda CR-V trims including Touring and EX trims are available in AWD form with paddle shifters, while the DX trim offers a 2WD drivetrain.

EX – Starting from AED 129,900
Touring – Starting from AED 139,900
DX – Starting from AED 99,000

That’s a wrap on all about the history of Honda CR-V, its generations and its features. Honda CR-V SUV is an expression of comfort, performance, and durability. If you wish to switch from your old car to any Honda model, try exploring these street-legal, used Honda cars for sale in the UAE.

Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog for more information on car history and the latest car releases.