2007 Honda CR-V Spy Photos

Honda was one of the first players in the crossover SUV market when it introduced the 1997 CR-V to America. Based on a modified Civic platform, the original CR-V had a four-cylinder engine, front- or all-wheel-drive, room aboard for up to five passengers, and styling that was more like a traditional SUV than a mid-sized station wagon. The original CR-V was a huge hit, a safe, durable family car that didn’t cost much to buy or maintain. Now, Honda readies the third-generation CR-V, due this fall as a 2007 model. Like the original, the 2007 Honda CR-V will have a four-cylinder engine, front- or all-wheel-drive, and room aboard for up to five passengers. The big change this time around is with regard to styling. The 2007 Honda CR-V is sleek where previous models were boxy, the spare tire is under the cargo floor instead of hanging on the rear gate, and since it shares a platform with the sporty new Acura RDX, an educated guess says the new CR-V will be fun to drive, too. Though this spy photo of the new 2007 Honda CR-V shows a heavily disguised SUV, under the cladding is a arched roofline not unlike that on the upscale Infiniti FX. That’s a big departure from today’s CR-V, which is tall and squared-off at the back. Another change is a switch away from gray plastic trim in favor of more painted surfaces, lending the 2007 Honda CR-V a refined appearance.

*Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company

Spy Photo 2

The 2007 Honda CR-V’s standard four-cylinder engine is rumored to displace 2.4 liters, the same as the current model, but horsepower is expected to get a boost to 170 ponies. Given Honda’s leadership in hybrid powertrains, it’s not a stretch to guess than a CR-V Hybrid will be along for 2008 or 2009. This camouflaged rear shot of the 2007 Honda CR-V shows that the crossover SUV continues to feature high-mounted taillights, a defining characteristic of the sport-ute since day one. With the spare tire stashed in a new location, the CR-V finally gets a proper liftgate, which makes loading easier in tight spots or when parallel parked. Sitting lower to the ground and riding on larger wheels and tires, the 2007 Honda CR-V promises to be more fun to drive on the pavement. Note that the lower rocker panel cladding, which will serve to differentiate the CR-V from the more upscale Acura RDX, is corrugated for a rugged look. The cladding, likely gray plastic, also decorates the bottoms of the front and rear fascias. On sale this fall, the 2007 Honda CR-V is likely to continue in LX, EX, and EX-L trim levels, ranging from just above $20,000 to just under $30,000 when fully equipped. Given Honda’s emphasis on safety, expect the new CR-V to be equipped with the company’s ACE body structure and a full complement of front, side, and curtain airbags along with ABS and stability control systems.

*Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company

Current CR-V

If you’re looking to get a great deal on one of the best small suvs on the market, wait until August when Honda dealers are clearing inventory of the outgoing 2006 Honda CR-V. Roomy, safe, reliable, and fuel-efficient, the current Honda CR-V might not be pretty, but it’s an incredibly useful tool as a daily driver, regardless of weather conditions. Despite the fact that it’s six years old, this is still one of our top recommendations in the cute-ute class.

Acura RDX

The 2007 Acura RDX shares its platform and structure with the new 2007 Honda CR-V, and because the Acura needed to be sporty, the CR-V is likely to benefit in the form of an entertaining driving character. However, the new CR-V won’t be getting the RDX’s potent turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 240 horsepower. Other differentiators, aside from minor styling differences, include the Acura’s Super-Handling AWD system, five-speed Sequential SportShift transmission, and an available Technology Package with a 410-watt Acura/ELS audio system, real-time traffic reporting, Bluetooth cell-phone connectivity, and navigation system.

Dodge Nitro

Ten years after Honda first got to the small SUV party with the original CR-V, Dodge finally fields one of its own in 2007: the Nitro. Based on the Jeep Liberty platform, the Nitro is likely a better off-roader than the new CR-V, but because of its heavier duty underpinnings, is probably clunkier to drive around town. Plus, with its added weight, fuel economy suffers. There’s no denying, however, the draw of its cut-rate Range Rover Sport styling, or the utility that its boxy cargo area offers.

Ford Edge

Ford’s new Edge crossover is a five-passenger SUV like the 2007 Honda CR-V, but comes equipped with a much more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine putting out 250 horsepower. Otherwise, the Edge’s mission is similar to the new CR-V’s: provide the driving experience of a car with the utility of a truck and the foul-weather capability of all-wheel drive. If you want better fuel economy, try the Ford Escape Hybrid, a decent little crossover SUV in its own right.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Honda needs to keep its eye on Hyundai. Among the 2007 CR-V’s new competitors this year, the completely redesigned Santa Fe poses perhaps the biggest threat. Handsomely styled, equipped with a standard 180-horsepower six-cylinder engine, available with a third-row seat, and backed up by a standard 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a compelling alternative to a known quantity like the CR-V.

Jeep Compass

In top trim, the new Jeep Compass stacks up neatly to the 2007 Honda CR-V…on paper. Each is making about 170 horsepower, which gets sent to the front or all four wheels. Like the new CR-V, the Compass is pretty low to the ground, aiming for better on-road handling than off-road performance. But the Compass has polarizing styling, and is likely to compare poorly against the Honda in terms of fit-and-finish. Kudos to Jeep for taking a risk, but we think this company best known for building trail-busting SUVs has lost its way with the Compass.

Jeep Patriot

Like the Jeep Compass, the Patriot is based on the Dodge Caliber platform, sharing engines, transmissions, suspensions, and other key parts. As such, the Patriot is not built for off-roading, regardless of its Cherokee look-alike sheetmetal. We give the rugged little Patriot a better chance of success, but dynamically, it likely won’t match up to the new 2007 Honda CR-V.

Mazda CX-7

This little SUV has success written all over it. With a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 244 horsepower, the Mazda CX7 matches the power output of the Acura RDX but will overlap higher trim levels of the 2007 Honda CR-V on price. We’ve driven this fun new crossover SUV, and it’s nimble, comfortable, and good looking. Enthusiasts are likely to prefer this Mazda, which comes with a better warranty than the CR-V, over the Honda.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi’s having a rough time. This new Outlander SUV, equipped with a standard 220-horsepower V6 engine and available with three rows of seats, looks to be a stylish and competitive alternative to the status quo in the small sport-ute arena. And with an outstanding powertrain warranty, it’s a compelling choice. But unless Mitsubishi ponies up some big cash to advertise this new model, it’s gonna get lost in a sea of great new choices for 2007.