Honda is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the CR-V, a model that has actively contributed to the growth of the SUV segment worldwide. Launched in 1995, it quickly won over many drivers, with over 15 million units sold globally.
The first generation was developed in the image of what crossovers were at the time, being usable both on the road and on other types of terrain. The brand positioned it as an Active Mover, in a range dubbed Creative Mover, with the name CR-V corresponding to the acronym for Comfortable, Runabout Vehicle, although Honda itself has an alternative interpretation of it: Compact Recreational Vehicle.
In the development, the team behind the model adopted the principles of “Think Right” and “Make Light.” The first required the team to anticipate dominant trends and the future of the automobile, while the second assumed a thorough analysis of dynamic performance, especially whether it was possible to drive it in a pleasant, simple, and effortless manner.
At the time, what is now known as an SUV were predominantly robust off-road vehicles with all-wheel drive, cars that were much more durable than easy to use. Honda wanted to change this perception, and the CR-V was designed to have five seats and a generous trunk, in order to adapt to both daily tasks and professional or leisure activities, regardless of the season, time of day, or type of road.
The adoption of a unibody structure allowed for a lower center of gravity and increased stability, while the generous wheelbase (2.620 m) meant that the cabin was more spacious than usual in the category in which the CR-V competed. It featured several innovative solutions, including a flat floor, seats with backs that could fully recline, and even tables.
In terms of dynamics, it has a raised driving position and behavior similar to that of a regular passenger car. In the mechanics chapter, the first generation featured a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine with 126 hp. This model ended up gaining significant popularity, even leading Honda to develop a model with similar characteristics, the HR-V, which was launched in 1999 and recorded very interesting sales.
Currently, the SUV format is dominant in the automotive market, with the CR-V facing many rivals, but still remaining one of the best-selling options of its kind worldwide. The current model offers electrified solutions tailored to the European market: in the lineup, hybrid (e:HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), the latter having the particularity of being able to travel up to 82 km in 100% electric mode.
