Are modern cars really better? Revisiting the 2nd-gen Honda CR-V
Arvind · Jan 8, 2024 06:28 PM
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At the launch of the 2024 Honda CR-V, there sat a vehicle display that featured a 2nd-generation (RD4/5) CR-V alongside the brand spanking new flagship 6th-generation model. An immaculate factory display unit that commemorates the first-ever Honda model to be locally-assembled (CKD) in Malaysia.
Naturally, as we enthusiasts do, the WapCar team poured over its ageless design and the many design details of this time capsule from years gone by.
The RD4/5 CR-V was first introduced in 2001. CKD production began here in 2002 at the fledgling Honda Malaysia plant in Pegoh, Melaka. The model stayed in production until 2006 when it was replaced with the 3rd-gen (RE) CR-V, at which point the CR-V made its shift towards being more of a premium ‘urban’ SUV.
Based on the 7th-generation (ES) Honda Civic platform, the RD4/5 CR-V was offered exclusively with a K20 2.0-litre i-VTEC naturally aspirated four-cylinder which produced 156 PS and 190 Nm. The engine was mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, channelling power to all four wheels through a part-time AWD system.
One of the key highlights of the second-generation CR-V was its increased interior space and marked improvements in ride and handling – courtesy of its reactive-link double wishbone rear suspension.
Now it’s easy to cross off the RD 4/5 CR-V as any other old car.
In truth, yes, any new SUV is safer, produces more power (for the same displacement) and consumes less fuel at the pumps.
However, if you look closer, you discover the finer details of the RD 4/5 CR-V - it's simple, it's mechanical, it's functional - a striking antithesis of present-day complexity, which may even make it better than the all-new CR-V. We think so, here’s our top 5 reasons why.
5. A comfortable cabin that’s also airy
Once you step inside the RD4/5 CR-V, the first thing you realise is how roomy the cossetting the cabin is. With plush, comfy seats and a tall roofline, the cabin is airy, and there’s a superb amount of headroom and legroom.
Outside visibility is great - with large windows, thin A- and B-pillars, and a low shoulder line - it's easy for kids to look out of, thus reducing the chance of car sickness for passengers, especially children.
Most modern SUVs will wax lyrical about offering stellar handling without sacrificing driving comfort – more often than not, many miss the mark.
Now whilst the RD 4/5 CR-V never promised sporty handling, it puts comfort above all else. Those chunky tyres (just 15-inch wheels) and the aforementioned double-wishbone rear suspension give it excellent ride comfort while still providing enough ground clearance to tackle some light off-roading.
3. A dependable powertrain
The Honda K20 engine is lauded both for its performance and rock-solid reliability, so there’s little wonder why so many RD 4/5 CR-Vs are still driven to this day. Though 156 PS and 190 Nm may not sound like much, it’s almost guaranteed to keep going well into six-figure mileage with decent maintenance.
The RD 4/5 CR-V uses a dependable hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch to send power to the rear axle when traction is needed
Plus, there are no complex sensors and expensive control modules that render a car useless if it goes wrong. Just a good ‘ol four-pot engine, stout 4-speed automatic and robust electronics to give you traction and a smooth drive.
2. Rear too close to a wall… no problem
The rear hatch extends no further than the spare wheel cover for easy access
Parking close to a wall behind your car is a common occurrence in shopping malls and condominiums. This normally means you won't be able to open the rear boot hatch, which typically means having to move your car forward or park it with its nose sticking out in a parking bay.
This is not a problem for an RD 4/5 CR-V, simply open its glass hatch by manually accessing the lock at the front. This allows you to open just the glass portion of the rear hatch to drop your groceries or get your bags in a tight parking space. Again a brilliant feature that is sadly not found on most modern SUVs.
1. The cool gear shifter and handbrake design
Saving the best for last, it's the RD 4/5 CR-V's shifter and handbrake design. Now whilst the CR-V’s column-mounted shifter is not uncommon - especially in American cars - its dashboard-mounted handbrake is.
Moving the handbrake and gear shifter to the dashboard completely frees up the central area between the front seats, which in the case of the RD 4/5 CR-V allows for a foldable table with cupholders, or when folded down, enough access to even walk-through to the rear seats! How many modern cars allow you to do that?
Conclusion
We could go on about other aspects of the RD 4/5 CR-V - its uncomplicated analogue gauges, the fact that Honda moved the 2-Din audio unit above the central AC vents to create a sizeable cubby hole for stuff or its excellent build quality.
Whilst yes, there is no Honda Sensing ADAS system, no touchscreens or Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the old-guard CR-V still has a few tricks up its sleeve and does quite a few things better than the new kid-on-the-block. Thus, sometimes we wonder, are modern cars truly better than their older counterparts?
Arvind can't remember a time when he didn't wheel around a HotWheels car. This love evolved into an interest in Tamiya and RC cars and finally the real deal 1:1 scale stuff. Passion finally lead to formal training in Mechanical Engineering. Instead of the bigger picture, he obsesses with the final drive ratio and spring rates of cars and spends the weekends wondering why a Perodua Myvi is so fast.
