Who is your Market?

[Zach]

I posted this short rant in another portion of the site, but wanted to make sure it was in a place that might be viewed by Honda people.

WHY HAS HONDA DONE THIS???? Why do they feel need to confuse the brand with Acura, Toyota, Nissan, Infinity and Lexus? The CRV WAS a standout! Clean lines and wasn't trying to be something it wasn't!! It is not a sports car!! Why do they insist on trying to make it look like one!!!

The CRV was unique, it had a soul. It was utilitarian, practical and reliable. All of which are Honda trademarks. Believe it or not it looked good. It was different. Perhaps the tire mounted on the back could have been improved, but never the less it was true to it's "soul". Honda had hit a homerun with the American marketplace with the CRV. Now the CRV looks like everything else. People will now group it with Kia, Suzuki and Hyundai. Greaat!!

I am excited about the new features such as NAV, but I am going to be hardpressed to swallow driving down the road in this thing.
It's so....YUK...EuHHH....Vanilla!!!

I needed a midsize SUV for 400-800 miles a week of driving, carry 3 large adult passangers and to carry lots of stuff. If I wanted stylish and swooped backend I'd buy an Acura, RAV or Matrix. If I didn't care about generic looks I'd buy the Escape (roomier & Hybrid - but its a Ford)

This new CRV looks like it will fall apart the first time you take it down a bumpy dirt road or your 3 year old gets loose in the back seat.

COME ON HONDA!! THINK!!!!!

[miko]

Those are all your opinions. And you are entitled to them. But there are many who don't agree with you at all. I'm one of those. Honda is doing a smart move. They want more sales, and that is what they'll get. The new V will surpass the old in many ways.

[Tommy]

For the '06 CRV, Honda has this slogan on their website:
Meet the Honda CR-V: An outdoors-y type with a thirst for adventure and the body to match.

I wonder what it will read for the '07 model, perhaps:
Meet the Honda CR-V: An indoors-y type to get salesmen from one meeting to the next in a body to forget.

Nothing wrong with that per se, just a different automobile and market. I don't mind so much, as our '06 will become more of a rarity. By the time we need a new one, perhaps there will be better options again.

[miko]

I don't mind so much, as our '06 will become more of a rarity. By the time we need a new one, perhaps there will be better options again.
As long as you are happy, that's all that matters. But better options? What do you mean? Not an external spare wheel, I hope.:eek:

[Tommy]

But better options? What do you mean?

Simply something that we can like as much as the current CR-V. Perhaps another CR-V that looks rugged again, or a Pilot that fixes some of the blunders of the current one (i.e. make a 3rd row that is actually useable). Or maybe an SUV based on the Ridgeline. (I love my Ridgeline, but my wife does not want to drive a pickup). And last not least have a good looking red color, not Dark Cherry Red as all the '07 models.

[miko]

Sounds like you want something custom made for you. Unfortunately that's not how it works. Manufacturers don't make products that meet every single taste. If they did, their profit margins would go down the drain.

Simply something that we can like as much as the current CR-V. Are you not jumping the gun here? Why not wait till you've actually see the new one? Personally, just going by the spy shots, I like the '07 better than the current. Much better. Now you see how difficult it would be for Honda to please everyone? :)

[RavenG4]

I have the new 07 I like it so far over the Older ones. It doesn't drive like a truck and it also seems more refined. It also comes with the 17 inch wheels which the older ones didn't. I think it makes it a more stable vehicle. It's like they took what was in the Civic and dropped it into the CR-V and made the CR-V an oversized Civic. Not that it's a bad thing.

[RCBuck]

I have to say that Honda dropped the ball on the new CR-V. I have not look inside one, but just the styling has put me off. When they redesigned it they should have changed the name to the Civic (dodge caliber wana be look alike) station wagon or The Big Fit. Kinda of sad sign of the time really - it is a more urban vehicle than its predecessors. More fluff less utility.

I am sure it is a good vehicle. I am also sure that there will be plenty of buyers, but Ii think more than a few current CR-V (1st and 2nd generation versions) owners will be put off and look else where for a replacement SUV. Speaking as an SUV ower; I purchased my 99 CR-V (to replace an 88 Cherokee) because it was just that, an SUV. It does every thing teh Jeep did except it has a lower towing capacity. Yes it is based on the Civic platform, but the layout is very user friendly and it just plain works. Putting the spare tire out back was a good idea too, but that is probably my Jeep upbringing showning. Never saw the need to waste interior space with a spare tire and if you do not like the look of the tire there a re thousnads of cover designs available.

[Beaullieu]

There are a lot of mixed feelings about the 07's not being a real SUV but more of an AWD wagon. I've seen lots of pics and have to admit that I have mixed feelings as well. I had some spare time last weekend and stopped at my dealer to look at the 07's to compare to my 06.

After sitting inside and really giving the 07 the once-over, I've still got some mixed feelings but I have to admit it's growing on me.

On the plus side, the interior is really nice and I prefer the shifter location. The double stacked cargo tray is also going to be useful. The hatch seems to have sparked a lot of discussion but I like it. I tow a Seadoo with my 06 and when retreiving, the empty trailer completely hides behind the 06, is almost impossible to see and you can't open the rear door because it hits the trailer. I remedied this with an extension for the tongue but a lift up hatch would have been a good solution as well.

On the negative side, I think the SUV look is gone and I like the more rugged look of the previous models. Having the spare inside takes up the space that I use to store my spare tire for my Seadoo trailer when towing and other misc items when not. Also, on my 06, I have a bike rack that attaches to the spare that allows me to open the rear door with the bikes on. It's a trade-off...

All in all though, if I were in the market for a new compact SUV, I think the 07 CRV would still be my choice over the competition.

[RCBuck]

Miko,

When I said I had not look inside an 07 CR-V I guess I left out the fact that I have seen it from the out side. Do not know when the dealer here started getting them, but I have seen one driving around the local area. Did not even know it was a V until I saw the badging! I am sure the 07 is much nicer in a sedan sort of way. My question to Honda is "What about those of us who do not want a sedan sort of way SUV?" That leaves me with the Pilot which is overkill for a family of 4 and I do not need the lower mileage that comes with the V6. The ridge line (a nice vehicle I am sure) is not even a consideration. Like the the Chevy Avalanche it does not not know what it wants to be. It's not an SUV and it is not a pick up.

The previous V's were true, if mild mannered, SUVs. While I would not do any real four wheeling with my 99 V, there are those that do. Heck they even made a 1" lift kit for it. When I look at the 1st and 2nd gen V's I know I am looking at a sport ute. When I look at the new V I see a station wagon. If I wanted a wagon I would go with a Subaru.

Like you said though, Honda cannot please every one. I am just worried they will lose a loyal following for V by turning it into a station wagon. They have lost me.

[bush555]

My question to Honda is "What about those of us who do not want a sedan sort of way SUV?"My speculative guess is that the next-generation (2009) Element will be Honda's answer: a utility-oriented crossover that hybrids the E's signature features with a more conventional form factor. Element enthusiasts will still have their vinyl floors, and old-school CR-V'ers will have a Honda that meets their needs & sensibilities.

Or so I'm hoping, anyway -- otherwise I gotta start lookin' at Volvos...

http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Parkworker]

Just my two cents... I think Honda went in the wrong direction with the design of 2007 CRV..... Bring back the CR-V:The rugged agile SUV not
CR-V:The fragile looking Wagon.

[Davecr-v]

Yeah I am not a big fan it is way to Bottom heavy for me I hate this thing about making SUV's all sleek MY CR-V looks like an SUV it has rugged lines and styling and although I probably couldn't It looks as though I could take it offroad a bit the new one seems like an imposter too curvy to rounded not boxy enough. But this is the way SUV's are going all curvy I think all SUV makers should look at the Range Rover/ Landrover its so simple so sleek yet stylish and its a big BOX!!!! yeah the Landrover looks like an SUV. Also lke not having painted bumpers they just don't show any wear compared to painted ones and I don'thave to deal with that stupid bumber badger, and I like the spare on the back it makes parallel parking in tight spaces easier because I can bump a car without any damage.

[Hughesy]

I think Honda have done a great job with the 2007 CR-V.
They have deliberately made it look less like an SUV, which fits well with growing anti-SUV sentiment in most countries.
Where old car was utilitarian, the new is smart and classy.
The interior on the old model was pretty basic, the new much more car-like.

I would not have bought the old shape because it looked dull and cheap interior, perhaps only as a second car. The new model has smart enough looks and luxury feel to be our main family car.

Well done Honda!

[Flinty]

Hi Hughesy,
When do you get you new CRV.

I am in the same mind as you did'nt like the last model to boxy and not finnised off well, but as soon as I saw the new model just put my bag of dosh on the salesmans table.

Flinty

[Craving This]

have to agree with the two of the previous posts, before the new gen came out i wasn't a fan of the cr-v. But as soon as I seen the new V i fell in love, it was everything I wanted. I don't feel it's as much as a cross over as it is a mini suv.. It's still a cr-v it's just a lil more luxurious and "prettier"... Although I do have to say since having a cr-v I can appreciate the older Gen's a lot more now....

[Hughesy]

Hi Hughesy,
When do you get you new CRV.

I am in the same mind as you did'nt like the last model to boxy and not finnised off well, but as soon as I saw the new model just put my bag of dosh on the salesmans table.

Flinty

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

The good residuals make the CRV quite cheap on a lease (its a company car). I looked at others (RAV4, X-Trail, Santa Fe) but the top spec (leather, sat nav, rain sensors, etc.) was more expensive on the others despite similar list prices.

I drove the old model a bit because my old boss had one. I liked it, but the interior was not up to the standard of my 2004 Accord. The new CRV is much nicer. I can't wait to get it!! :)

[cderalow]

I think Honda actually designed for it's intended market.

If you look at the percentage of users who bought the old CR-V's, I'd hazard a guess, that a lot of them are people like my mother. They want a vehicle with a higher seating position, and more enclosed and useable space than a pickup truck offers, but don't wan the rough ride associated with a true on-frame pickup based SUV, or simply don't need the size of something like the Ford Explorer etc. The CR-V met that with flying colors, while keeping a pretty decent fuel economy.

I would guess the percentage that purchased them for true off road use is less than 10%. You could probably even run a poll here, and see how many people have truly taken their V off road (and not onto some dirt road, I mean off road).

They designed it for a consumer, who like myself, want the space, the AWD capacity, and want some resemblance to a sedan or a civilized vehicle. In short, they designed it for younger, more hip professionals. Which is what I tend to see driving them around... mid 20-30 somethings with kids or pets.

Don't get me wrong, I like the looks of the old ones, but I like the look of my '07 more so.

Also, after owning several vehicles with external spare tires, or even underslung spares, it's nice to have it inside the car, where it's significantly less likely to be stolen.

[Hughesy]

Also, after owning several vehicles with external spare tires, or even underslung spares, it's nice to have it inside the car, where it's significantly less likely to be stolen.

I agree with your comments cderalow.

Regarding the spare tyre: opening the trunk is a daily activity, this should be made as easy as possible (i.e. not swinging a heavy tyre out of the way). Changing the tyre hopefully happens once a year or less, so why not hide it away?

[Davecr-v]

I do like the new interior especially the leather and Nav, however, I am not fond of the ruching that honda does with its leather and the lack of a manual mode. C'mon honda Manual mode is something the germans have been doing since 97 in the US get with the program.

[SpeedKreature]

I own an 07 EX 2WD...and I have mixed feelings about it. Granted my previous cars were an 05 VW GTI and an 04 Nissan SE-R Spec V (prior to that a handed down '96 Altima).

The overall build quality is great. I have taken the CR-V off-road, at speed (most of it at about 70mph) and it did very well. I babied it at first not sure of it's abilities but became giddy with how well it took to the terrain (a combination of rolling hills, mud puddles, gravel, dirt and scattered rock).

I've taken a 90 degree turn at 40 mph, something an SUV wasn't meant to do (former SCCA rally racer so I'm not afraid of rolling the car away from city roads). But I did it because I know that if you mind your environment and respond to what it needs, the new CR-V will take a sharp turn and laugh.

The interior is nice and more than adequately stands up to a 3-year old and 6-year old boy fighting and jumping around.

It's more comfortable than my GTI or Spec-V was after a 600 Mile trip across part of Texas.

I'm not a huge fan of the exterior styling of the CR-V (current gen...previous generations didn't even get my attention).

My only gripe, and most current CR-V owners may not share this, is the lack of aftermarket parts for it--be it performance or something to lift it a little...to that end the mandatory automatic transmission was a tremendous disappointment. It's just as hesitant and power sucking as every other automatic transmission I've had the displeasure of driving (i.e rental cars). This is my first automatic transmission car and I hate it so much I'm looking to get rid of it against my fiancee's wishes. I'm upside down 4 grand so I guess I'm getting a Versa unless someone can point me to a schmorgesborg of aftermarket parts and a way to tighten up the transmission. She wants to be able to hold my hand but when I'm driving, I want to drive and for those of us who appreciate a manual transmission, Honda has taken that away from us.

[cderalow]

I own an 07 EX 2WD...and I have mixed feelings about it. Granted my previous cars were an 05 VW GTI and an 04 Nissan SE-R Spec V (prior to that a handed down '96 Altima).

The overall build quality is great. I have taken the CR-V off-road, at speed (most of it at about 70mph) and it did very well. I babied it at first not sure of it's abilities but became giddy with how well it took to the terrain (a combination of rolling hills, mud puddles, gravel, dirt and scattered rock).

I've taken a 90 degree turn at 40 mph, something an SUV wasn't meant to do (former SCCA rally racer so I'm not afraid of rolling the car away from city roads). But I did it because I know that if you mind your environment and respond to what it needs, the new CR-V will take a sharp turn and laugh.

The interior is nice and more than adequately stands up to a 3-year old and 6-year old boy fighting and jumping around.

It's more comfortable than my GTI or Spec-V was after a 600 Mile trip across part of Texas.

I'm not a huge fan of the exterior styling of the CR-V (current gen...previous generations didn't even get my attention).

My only gripe, and most current CR-V owners may not share this, is the lack of aftermarket parts for it--be it performance or something to lift it a little...to that end the mandatory automatic transmission was a tremendous disappointment. It's just as hesitant and power sucking as every other automatic transmission I've had the displeasure of driving (i.e rental cars). This is my first automatic transmission car and I hate it so much I'm looking to get rid of it against my fiancee's wishes. I'm upside down 4 grand so I guess I'm getting a Versa unless someone can point me to a schmorgesborg of aftermarket parts and a way to tighten up the transmission. She wants to be able to hold my hand but when I'm driving, I want to drive and for those of us who appreciate a manual transmission, Honda has taken that away from us.


The car has barely been on the roads for a year, give it some time for aftermarket parts. They can't just make them overnight.

I've noticed a lot more parts for them lately, I mean it takes time to do the proper R&D for stuff. I know H&R has at least produced a lowering spring set, and I've seen a few cold air intakes and a few mufflers, but you can always have a custom catback exhaust made. As for other parts, you might be able to find parts from the previous generation that fit engine wise (headers, intakes etc) as they had a very similar engine.

As for the auto v manual... If you were very crafty, you could probably source parts from europe or asia where they have the manual versions and make the conversion to your car. The 6 speeds from RSX, TSX or Civic Si will work with the engine (maybe even Gen 2.5 CR-V), it's more a concept of available space and ability to fabricate the necessary parts to mount everything. (I'd lean towards the transmission from a JDM Honda Integra Type R or a Civic Type R personally)

Though you'd have to look to our European or Asian counterparts to see how comfy it is to drive one with a stick up on the dash like that.

Other option, find someone to import a left hand drive one from Europe (should meet our safety standards and then some, you might have to change to a US emissions package)

Downside to both methods... $$

[tsmithvt]

My only gripe, and most current CR-V owners may not share this, is the lack of aftermarket parts for it--be it performance or something to lift it a little...to that end the mandatory automatic transmission was a tremendous disappointment. It's just as hesitant and power sucking as every other automatic transmission I've had the displeasure of driving (i.e rental cars). This is my first automatic transmission car and I hate it so much I'm looking to get rid of it against my fiancee's wishes. I'm upside down 4 grand so I guess I'm getting a Versa unless someone can point me to a schmorgesborg of aftermarket parts and a way to tighten up the transmission. She wants to be able to hold my hand but when I'm driving, I want to drive and for those of us who appreciate a manual transmission, Honda has taken that away from us.

I too was very disappointed that Honda discontinued the inclusion a manual transmission for CR-Vs. When I bought my 06, I gave up some features to get an EX just because the EX offered a 5 speed MT. What else can I say? Honda, for its own reasons has decided.:(

[Hughesy]

Though you'd have to look to our European or Asian counterparts to see how comfy it is to drive one with a stick up on the dash like that.


It's quite comfortable with the arm rest in position.
I would have loved an auto though :-(
Come on Honda, sort out a diesel auto!

[cderalow]

It's quite comfortable with the arm rest in position.
I would have loved an auto though :-(
Come on Honda, sort out a diesel auto!


hrmm..

i know that the old generation Civic Si Hatchbacks had a stick up on the dash like that, and I found it quite awkward at first, but got used to it for the 2 hours i drove one. beyond that, dunno.

[rprpclark]

I have had a 2001 CR-V since new and like probably better than any car I've had in 40 years, for it's all-around versatility. While the first gen had a bit of that "Serengeti" look, and the second gen kept a little of that, to me the latest looks like it was "styled" in the Bangladesh studios of Dihatsu! I'll nurse my old one for a while. Go figure, though. I thought they'd have a hard time selling them, instead of selling all they could make.

[Honda 367]

I have had a 2001 CR-V since new and like probably better than any car I've had in 40 years, for it's all-around versatility. While the first gen had a bit of that "Serengeti" look, and the second gen kept a little of that, to me the latest looks like it was "styled" in the Bangladesh studios of Dihatsu! I'll nurse my old one for a while. Go figure, though. I thought they'd have a hard time selling them, instead of selling all they could make.

I have to agree with you to an extent. I do think the 2nd generation looks fantastic and was bewildered when they changed the design. Having said that, the 3rd generation is growing on me. It is also surprising to me that 3rd generation is selling so well. I really didn't think they would sell well because of the design. Who knows?