Honda CR-V 2004 Review

It also is that touch more refined down the road, dirt or tar, than before.

For the CR-V is now a little sweeter to drive. The steering is lighter, yet with more feel and a tighter turning circle, while that front end is less likely to object to full throttle starts.

This appears to be the work of a revised four-wheel-drive system, with quicker reaction times in spreading drive to the back wheels, a change to 16-inch wheels and a drive-by-wire throttle. There also are thicker stabiliser bars.

The result is a better-mannered CR-V when pushed around.

The previous model, the second in the CR-V's lineage, could become a little unruly with understeering scrabble when turned in hard with a little power.

This one is nicer about the deal and that's a good thing.

This revised CR-V also has a little more beef to its road presence, highlighted by a bolder bonnet, grille and tail-lights plus those taller wheels.

And, more importantly for those tempted to take the CR-V on to the beach or into the bush, Honda reckons the Real Time 4WD dual-pump system has been improved for quicker reaction times.

The previous system often was tardy. By the time the back wheels got the message that the front pair were slipping the wagon was stuck on the side of a hill, or it had slithered through a wet corner with the back biting as it left the dramas behind.

This time things are happening a little more smartly and that shows, even on the bitumen.

Honda says the changes are most evident on snow-covered roads.

Yet there remains doubt when that system cannot be locked into a 50:50 split, as on rivals. There are times when a locked-up driveline is far more sure of making progress than a system which is fighting back and forward for traction.

But much of the CR-V's market success has little to do with tackling tough tracks.

The Honda is seen as a chic and versatile runaround with a respected badge. More than 1.7 million CR-Vs have been sold since the first arrived in 1995. It is compact, yet offers good space for a family. It is car-like to drive yet offers good visibility for a higher driving spot. And the cabin is workable and neat, although that dash-mounted gear lever for the auto takes a little practice and patience and the semi-disguised handbrake lever takes time to find for the first few days. Both levers are sensible ideas, freeing up floor space, but both are different from the norm.

Around the town and down the highway the Honda is a quiet and comfortable cruiser.

Some 2000rpm in top gives 110km/h but there is a little hunting between fourth and fifth when faced with a hill; best to switch off the overdrive with a button at the end of the gear lever.

Inside also there's an upgraded stereo system and instrument panel.

The CR-V Sport scores a six-stacker CD player with MP3 compatibility plus steering wheel-mounted audio controls. And the CR-V's trip computer now includes outside temperature readings and instantaneous fuel consumption readouts.

The Honda CR-V for 2005 is a well-built, well-appointed wagon of some versatility. Changes make this revised edition a more compliant machine to drive and give a refreshed on-road presence, but rival compact SUVs continue to offer a little more off-road ability.