Honda CR-V

| Japan: Sayama | United Kingdom: Swindon (HUKM) | Taiwan: Hsinchu | Thailand: Ayutthaya | Philippines: Santa Rosa, Laguna | Indonesia: North Jakarta (HPM, 2000–2002) | Malaysia: Johor Bahru (Kah Motor, 2000–2002) }} | Petrol: | 2.0L B20B/B20Z I4 }} | 5-speed SBXM manual (AWD) | 5-speed SKH manual (FWD) | 4-speed MDLA/MDMA automatic }} }} The first generation CR-V or RD1 was Honda's first in-house designed sport utility vehicle by Hiroyuki Kawase. When the CR-V was introduced in Japan in October 1995 it was sold only at Honda Verno and Honda Primo dealerships and exceeded Japanese government's compact car regulations regarding exterior dimensions (maximum width of , therefore incurred a more expensive annual road tax obligation. For the North American market, it was displayed at the 1996 Chicago Auto Show and went on sale in February 1997. Upon introduction, the model had only one trim level, which would later be known as the LX model trim; it was powered by the 2.0-litre straight-four B20B. Outer dimensions for this engine would be identical to the Integra's 1.8L engine, but internally the engine had a larger bore vs for the Integra, to add the extra displacement needed to produce more torque. The engine used a one-piece cylinder sleeve construction unique from any other B-series engine. The chassis and suspension was largely similar to the 4th-generation Honda Civic Shuttle (Wagon) with a unibody design with fully independent suspension. The vehicle's suspension was double wishbone, while the rear used a trailing-arm-based multilink system. The rear seats were able to fold down and integrate with front seats that could fold flat, such that they formed a bed of sorts, about the size of a twin bed. Also, a picnic table was stowed in the rear floor area. All models featured plastic cladding covering the front bumper, rear bumper, and fender wells. In most countries, CR-Vs had a chrome grille; however, in the United States, the grille was made out of the same black plastic as the bumpers. The EX included anti-lock brakes and 15-inch alloy wheels over the LX trim. Drivetrain options were front-wheel drive or Honda's Real Time AWD. Indonesian market CR-V was released in 1999 as a locally assembled model. Honda customized the model for sale to include a face-to-face third-row seating, making it a seven-seater vehicle to take advantage of the tax regulations in the country. The rear foglamp was also reconfigured as a fourth and fifth brake light. Facelift For the 2000 model year, the European, Australian and Asian CR-V models featured more drastic changes. Exterior alterations included a new front bumper, smoothed off rear bumper, and a smaller plastic radio antenna on the rear of the roof. Some of the paint options changed. European models received an enlarged Honda emblem on the front grille, and a new metallic yellow paint in certain markets. The engine was changed to the 2.0L B20Z engine, producing at 6,200rpm and of torque at 4,500rpm. This improved performance for the vehicle. Fuel economy of city/ highway (US) and price were not affected by the increase in power, which was the result of a higher compression ratio (9.6:1 compared to the B20B's 8.8:1), a new intake manifold, and slightly higher lift on the intake valves. This 16 percent increase in power resulted to a faster 0-60 mph of 8.6 seconds on the 5-speed manual 4wd. In 2000, an SE (Special Edition) model was introduced in North America. The SE featured body-coloured bumpers and side moldings, a body-coloured hard spare tire cover, leather upholstery, CD/cassette audio deck, rear privacy glass, and chrome grille accent. Until 2001, the CR-V sold more than any other vehicle in its class. The North American models also received new exterior colours including Naples Gold Metallic and Taffeta White. Electron Blue was introduced in 2000 to replace Submarine Blue Pearl, while Satin Silver Metallic replaced Sebring Silver Metallic in 2001. However, that year, sales of the Ford Escape and its clone, the Mazda Tribute, surpassed those of the CR-V. The Australian higher specification model was called the "Sport". It was added at the time of the first facelift and included body-coloured bumpers, mirrors, door handles, and hard rear spare wheel cover. It also included alloy wheels, roof rails, and a large glass sunroof. The CR-V became the country's best-selling SUV in 2000, outselling the Toyota Land Cruiser for the first time. Safety The 1997–2001 model tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIFHS) was the LX model with standard driver and passenger airbags. The car's structure received an acceptable rating, and the overall car received a marginal rating — as the dummy's left leg would have been broken. In addition to this lower body injury, the dummy's head went through the airbag which may have caused a minor concussion. The chest was well protected. Models equipped with an automatic transmission now had an override cancel button that allowed the driver to lock the transmission in the first three gears to provide power for passing and climbing grades along with providing hill assist when stationary, known as "Grade Logic." The pattern of the cloth on the seats was also redesigned, and the head restraints earned an acceptable rating from the IIHS for whiplash protection. Engines == Second generation (2002-2006) ==