Honda didn't invent the small crossover SUV, but the Honda CR-V has defined the breed. Initially based loosely on Honda's small-car components, the CR-V was at first a modest attempt to fill a sliver of the market. Now the CR-V is assembled in factories scattered in different countries around the globe. The CR-V isn't fancy, it won't win any beauty contests and it's unlikely many will be tucked away in museums because of their historical significance. But for hundreds of thousands of buyers worldwide every year, the utility, quality and friendly personality of the Honda CR-V make it an almost unavoidable choice.
While it may seem that the Honda CR-V has been around forever, it actually first went on sale in America during 1997. Running on an all-independent, double-wishbone suspension and powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, it was available with either front- or all-wheel drive and with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Built in Japan, the first CR-V was very conservatively styled and very well built. Despite its diminutive size and sparse decoration, the first CR-V was surprisingly comfortable, rode surprisingly well and had a surprising amount of room. In short, the first Honda CR-V was surprising.
Production of North America-bound CR-Vs switched to Great Britain with the introduction of the second-generation Honda CR-V for 2002. Slightly larger than before, and with MacPherson struts taking the place of the double-wishbone suspension up front, the second CR-V was powered by a new 2.4-liter version of Honda's K-Series four-cylinder engine. Still exceptionally comfortable, the slightly larger second CR-V proved even more popular than the first one had been. It wasn't a performance machine, but the second Honda CR-V still managed to be a winner.
A third-generation evolutionary Honda CR-V entered production for the 2007 model year. This time the CR-Vs intended for American consumption would be built at plants in either Ohio or Jalisco, Mexico. Even more optimized for the American market, the third CR-V proved even more popular — at times it has been the best-selling SUV in North America.
