More 2007 Honda CR-V shots
A new pair of pics showing the next generation Honda CR-V has surfaced, and these clearly show every curve and crease of the cute ute's new body.
The reaction to the new design both in the comments of our previous post and in the forums has for the most part been negative, although some have already begun to warm up to it. Criticism has been heaped upon the design of the new CR-V's front end, which features a rather large underbite beneath a three bar lower grille. The rear of the CR-V has drawn the ire of many as well, not so much for the tailgate, which now opens vertically, or trademark tall taillights, but for the sloping of the side glass that doesn't match the contour of the vehicle's profile.
Clearly the CR-V has increased in size just like its main competitor, the Toyota RAV-4. We're guessing the awkward profile provides enough room in the back for some type of third-row seating. Despite the growth spurt, the new CR-V will reportedly not get the turbocharged engine from the Acura RDX, but instead make do with a 2.4L four-cylinder producing 170 hp.
[Source: Honda SUV.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Seb 10:56AM (6/30/2006)
That front end is hideous.
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MJL 10:59AM (6/30/2006)
What, the R-class hasn't gotten us used to sloping rear windows that have nothing to do with the shape of the vehicle?
As for the taillights, they're pure Saab 9-3 SportCombi.
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Hung2 11:06AM (6/30/2006)
Is Honda taking design lessons from Toyota! What happened? Side profile says "Chrysler Pacifica" - back continues to say "Blo-Vo". Then there's that front. What happened? Did they run out of money AND imagination or just hand it over to the summer intern to design. This is very disappointing.
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Rob Lowe 11:07AM (6/30/2006)
I've seen them in person in Vancouver BC and though the front does take some getting used to there is nothing awkward about their look at all. They're really quite impressive and the interiors are about the best I've ever seen on a Honda.
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J~H 11:08AM (6/30/2006)
I don't think that being able to cram 2 more passengers into the way backs of small SUV's is worth the price of these fugly C-Pillars.
Not everything needs a 3rd row. Most people who will buy this will never carry 6 passengers. Most people who buy anything will never carry 6 passengers.
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Anthony Albertus 11:17AM (6/30/2006)
Things in perspective, compared to other sport utes of any size, while it's not my cup of tea, it's vastly better looking to me than the Toureg, Cayenne, X3, RDX (with those shameless AUDI knockoff rear lights), ML.. Honda kinda hit the nail on the head. More kudos for not copying the trend for upswept rear windows like the RAV4.. which is a trend that won't last. That said, whomever referenced the Ssangyong Rodius deserves a gold star.
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Presto 11:27AM (6/30/2006)
That's a nice RAV-MURAN-OLVO
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junior 11:28AM (6/30/2006)
Yuck! It looks like someone has already backed into the front end! I can only hope that the bean counters seriously modified the designers' original intent! It's still fugly, no matter how nice the interior may be. Aztek, anyone?
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scooter 11:40AM (6/30/2006)
The front end looks like an old man who has removed his dentures. This is the first(and last, I hope) Honda with BITTER BEER FACE!
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Chris 11:42AM (6/30/2006)
What the hell happend to Honda's truck and SUV styling? This THING is hideous with its disfunctional front end and its Volvo ripoff back end. The new Pilot is another ugly MOFO along with that hideous truck/suv Ridgeline. Honda was, in my opinon, one of the better looking brands on the road but I don't know anymore.
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JayRC81 11:48AM (6/30/2006)
Did a quick photo-chop of what this thing OUGHT to look like.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y182/jayRC81/crv_fix.jpg
That is, if Honda wasn't trying to prove that people will buy whatever design abomination with 7 seats they can crap out.
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jose 11:52AM (6/30/2006)
i dont think its bad, it could be worse (hint: astek, u just need to get used to it. I actually like it, its pretty handsome.
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JL 12:01PM (6/30/2006)
Hi everyone, if you are thinking about getting a small size SUV, forget the Rav4, forget about this ugly, under power CR-V, get the new Mitsubishi Outlander instead. But you have to wait until next March though.
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Mike G 12:05PM (6/30/2006)
No one expects Hondas to look good. Unfortunately this SUV lends validity to that prejudice. It's as bad looking as the new Civic is good looking.
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Ben 12:09PM (6/30/2006)
wtf ... the front end looks like crap ..
And what's up with car companies turning compact SUVs into full size SUVs.
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DJA 12:17PM (6/30/2006)
They'll still sell them as fast as they can make them - at close to MSRP. It's an odd look, but all the "cute-utes" have been odd. I still like it better than the awkward RAV and the interior has to be better. Women will love that pouty look...
It'll be another big seller for Honda.
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Fabulo 12:18PM (6/30/2006)
The front end show a bit of an underbite. Nice.
Not crazy about the cute ute thing anyway. They should have shaped it less than an SUV and more like a futuristic bubble mobile (Murano style or something)
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tugboat 12:40PM (6/30/2006)
I agree, the rear window does not fit with the rest of the car, and the grille, well, it's just hideous. Did they just swap out the 2003-2007 Accord headlights? The new Si has grown on me, and so has the new Civic 3/5door... But this one will never grow on me. I guess they just want more people to pony up for the RDX.
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Joe Condon 12:41PM (6/30/2006)
I loved the original CR-V, the second was okay, but this is just terrible. JayRC81's little mock-up improves the design by a huge amount, but that front end is just awful. And why, suddenly, does every cute-ute compact SUV/MAV have a third row?? Still, I'd buy a Honda over a Toyota any day.
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Bill 12:44PM (6/30/2006)
Typical. Why must a new design always be bigger and heavier than the preceding generation? I actually admired that Toyota showed restraint with the 2nd Gen Rav4, but then they turned on the bloat for the 3rd Gen.
The nice thing about small utes when they first came out is that they let you pack in a lot of stuff and offered AWD without too much of a mileage penalty. What's the reason to buy one now?
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