Premature release: 2007 Honda CR-V debuts a bit early
AutoWeek decided to pull back the curtain early on the 2007 Honda CR-V and publish pictures and details of the new CUV that the automaker had placed on embargo until September 1st. We've seen this happen so many times before, and not just by small blogs and websites who don't know any better, but by big media outlets like AutoWeek, that at this point we find it hard to believe they did it without permission directly from Honda. Automakers are getting more and more savvy about building buzz that it just wouldn't surprise us, that's all. We had a call into Honda this afternoon as well, and we weren't that surprised when no one called back.
Anyway, official shots of the CR-V had already been leaked onto the internet about five days ago, and undisguised spy shots have been floating around for even longer, so the new CR-V's skin is anything but surprising at this point. The gaping void below the front grille and the severely sloping outline of the rear side windows are still polarizing design elements whose acceptance will now be at the mercy of the market.
What we do know now that we didn't before is that the CR-V will have a base price of $21,400 when it goes on sale in October. Option up the CR-V with a satellite navigation system and 270-watt stereo and the sticker will approach $28,000. The sole powerplant remains Honda's 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder, albeit upgraded for 2007 to produce an additional 10 horsepower (now 166 horsepower/161 ft-lbs. of torque), and no manual will be offered this time around, just a five-speed automatic.
Though the CR-V's styling hasn't made the best first impression on us, we will say that Honda could be making a very shrewd move by not following the trend of dropping a powerful V6 into its tiniest of utes. The CR-V's 2.4-liter four will no doubt produce commendable gas mileage and operate at the typical level of Honda four-cylinder refinement. That combination could lead to big sales for the CR-V in these lean and green times.
(Interior shot can be found after the jump)
[Source: AutoWeek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
asim 1:47AM (8/26/2006)
So why did autoweek release them early? How much does it cost them to break the embargo date?
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Nathan Sweeney 1:00PM (8/26/2006)
I like it except for the gaping maw on the front end.
The steering wheel and gauge cluster look vaguely Volkswagen to me, which is definitely not a bad thing!
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Chris 2:11AM (8/26/2006)
Maybe they wanted to give a bit more time for people to hate it. This thing is butt ugly!!
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Marcus 2:25AM (8/26/2006)
looks like the official transport for Baron UNTERBHEIT!
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Harry 2:20AM (8/26/2006)
Really do not blame AutoWeek for this. For everything else they do truly SUCK. I was a subscriber forever but was treated like carp if anything went wrong and boy did it.
On topic, Motor Trand for OCTOBER is out and has a full write up with pics so why bother with the embargo?
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ku 2:27AM (8/26/2006)
they also released info on the mdx...
http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060825/FREE/60825004/1065/TOC01ARCHIVE
i figured that would be way more interesting than something that's already been featured here, but i guess not...
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John 2:28AM (8/26/2006)
I am sure like all Hondas that the engineering is first rate, the shifting is top notch and the vehicle is quite a buy. But like a lot of new Hondas, syling is not on par with the engines Honda builds or anything else Honda does well. This looks like it should be called the Honda Civic wagon.
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BCM 2:39AM (8/26/2006)
Honda fanboys and girls will buy a bunch, and just like the Bangle butt, the ghastly exterior and bizarre interior will be widely imitated by other makers who want to seem "with it."
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DPC car videos 2:36AM (8/26/2006)
Much nicer then the previous model.
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Michael Karesh 2:43AM (8/26/2006)
MDX is a HUGE improvement, inside and out. Displacement bump to 3.7 is also news to me.
On the CR-V, anyone know where to get a full feature list to go with those prices?
http://www.truedelta.com
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Seto 2:49AM (8/26/2006)
plain, boring, bland, etc....
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iQuack 3:10AM (8/26/2006)
The new CR-V is no thing of beauty but the RAV4 is a bust as I see it.
The RAV4's dumb, spare tire hangs off the back and becomes the rear bumper--a bad idea. The CR-V finally eliminated the hanging spare in back. The RAV4's rear, "D" pillar is ugly IMO.
If the CR-V's 4 cylinder engine is powerful enough for the CR-V's weight, it should be OK. My '04 Accord has the 2.4L, 160HP engine and it's plenty quick--smooth, too.
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jakes 6:13AM (8/26/2006)
HORRIBLE!!!! COMPLETELY UGLY AND STUPID. How does Honda will sell an extremely ass-faced thing like this?
People want a decent and "cute" car that satisfates the needs of a family or a person. Besides the powerplant isn't an amazing feature, I was expecting a more powerful and modern engine, but Honda's cappacity only gives 10hp, WOW!!!! it's the best feature I've never seen. Other CUV's like Suzuki Grand Vitara, Nissan X-Trail (sorry, that car doesn´t exists for U.S.), etc. have more power and a better appareance than this ch**. I'm prefer a 2007 Mitsibishi Outlander, it grows in size, power, and quality, and it have a friendly and attractive appareance. So, I never will buy a Honda.
Sorry but if my comment is hard to understand is because I'm not very good to write in English, cause I'm mexican and I talk spanish... La aclaracion fue mas que obvia pero como he visto la forma en que son mejor les pongo algo que entendieran jeje.
Saludos
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sp 8:05AM (8/26/2006)
and thats why Rav4 has a lot more boot space than CRV, and a lot lower loading floor... and it has V6 option, if you want something 3 seconds faster 0-60...
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Devin Lussier 7:54AM (8/26/2006)
They think this thing can compete in the same price range as the new Hyundai Santa Fe? I wish them luck, because they're going to need it. That thing is hideous, and the MDX is even worse.
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Mike 9:13AM (8/26/2006)
Motor Trend has a complete preview of it in the latest issue I received 4 days ago, so Autoweek isn't the only one doing it.
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Petey 8:19AM (8/26/2006)
This thing will sell well to the soccer moms and first time suv/crossover buyers. Its looking more crossover now than ever; whereas its competitors are more SUV looking; which is a good thing.
As for those complaing about its looks; get over it already. This is the next CRV and its here to stay. I would think that Honda knows more about cars than most of you ever will.
As for the V6? CRV will get a V6 when the Civic gets a V6; ie. its not going to happen esp. when its upmarket RDX brother doesnt have one (excellent L4 turbo though). If you want a V6 in a Honda SUV get a Pilot.
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laserwizard 8:53AM (8/26/2006)
That thing is so ugly that my cat keeps trying to cover my computer monitor with air kitty litter - she is moving her feet like she's trying to cover something that really stinks.
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laserwizard 8:54AM (8/26/2006)
Hi, Petey - my cat is covering you, too!
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FrankTheCrank 8:59AM (8/26/2006)
I'm not crazy about the front end, but WOW from just behind the headlight all the way back...it looks like a BMW SUV. Very nice job. The CRV has definetely matured. And at 20K, this car is a bargain. Very nice.
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