Honda CR-V 1st generation

Production period:	1996 to 2001
Class:	Motor Car
Body versions:	station wagon
Engines:	Gasoline :2.0 litres  (94-108 kW)
Length:	4510 mm
Width:	1750 mm
Height:	1608 mm
Wheelbase:	2630 mm
Curb weight:	1460 kg

The first generation of the Honda CR-V was introduced in late 1995. The 4.50-meter-long vehicle was offered with two different 94 kW or 108 kW four-cylinder gasoline engines. A special feature of this model was the side opening to the right tailgate with spare wheel holder. In 1999, the CR-V was subjected to a facelift, in which above all the front bumper was changed. The Honda CR-V ( C omfortable R unabout V ehicle) is a compact SUV of the Japanese car manufacturer Honda , which is built since 1996, now in the fifth generation.

At the beginning of the model series (1996-1997), the CR-V was offered only with an automatic transmission. In the following years until the end of production, both an automatic transmission and a manual five-speed transmission were offered. The CR-V is powered by Real Time 4WD , a four-wheel drive that automatically drives the rear wheels when needed.

To create the CR-V, Honda basically put a high-riding SUV wagon body on the Civic 4-wheel-drive model sold in Japan. Instead of the truck-type body-on-frame construction and sturdy solid rear axle of most SUVs, the CR-V has car-like unibody construction and 4-wheel independent suspension. 

The CR-V has a side-opening tail-gate and an exterior-mounted spare tire.  At 103.2 inches, the CR-V's wheelbase is 8.3-inches longer than the 4-door RAV4's  At 177.6 inches long overall, the 
CR-V is 14.2 inches longer than the RAV4 The CR-V has a side-opening tail-gate and an exterior-mounted spare tire. The maximum towing weight is 1000 pounds. The rear seat folds to form a flat load floor, and the front and rear seat- backs fully recline into beds. The plastic floor panel of the cargo area can be removed and transformed into a free- standing picnic table with folding legs. 
A 126-horsepower dual-camshaft 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission The transmission gear lever is mounted on the steering column. The CR-V is not intended for heavy-duty off-road use Honda calls the standard 4-wheel-drive system Real Time 4WD. It normally sends most engine power to the front wheels and distributes more power to the rear wheels when sensors indicate the front tires are losing traction.


The list of standard features includes air conditioning, power windows, locks, and mirrors, power steering, a 4- speaker AM/FM stereo, adjustable steering column, rear wiper/washer, tinted glass, and cruise control. Seats for five and dual air bags are standard. 

The CR-V was built in Sayama (model code RD1) and Swindon (model code RD3) at Honda of the UK Manufacturing .