USED Honda CR-V 4x4 (02 - 06)

My car

This is my third CRV, and they have been the most reliable cars I have ever owned.

I drive an average of 30,000 miles per year, and because of the CRV's raised driving position it has all been completely stress free.

My first CRV was a manual petrol model, which I only had for 1 year (30,000 miles) before trading it in for an Auto petrol model, which my wife absolutely loved to drive also.

After a further 60,000 miles I traded the Auto model in for the current diesel model, and I'm just over the 42,000 mile mark, with no regrets whatsoever!

The diesel took some getting used to (about 2 weeks) but was worth the wait. On a drive to Scotland last summer I stuck to 61 MPH (on the cruise control) and averaged just over 56 MPG!!

I have driven it extensively around the British Isles, and throughout France, and have never found it wanting.

My only wish is that Honda would bring out an Auto diesel model, and the grapevine seems to indicate that Honda is working on it.

My car

My particular model has a ridiculously high rev problem at low speeds. Makes it a difficult car to drive around town as the revs will not drop when changing gear with the clutch engaged. has been back to the dealers with this problem too many times to recount. Same old reason given is that it is inherent in this particular model - rubbish!!

My car

I bought a CR-V in Oct 2005. As I have a disability I have to drive an automatic and I opted for a 2.0 Petrol Executive Auto.

I have been very pleased with the build quality, the practicality of the vehicle is superb and the reliability and confidence the car inspires is without question. My car has only ever been back for routine servicing.

Now the BUT...

I have found the lack of pulling power from the 2.0 engine on inclines to be very poor. When traveling I find myself constantly having to press the button on the gearstick to keep in a lower gear to keep up with other vehicle even though we are only at around 70mph.

I have also been very disappointed with the fuel consumption. on a long run I have to travel very steadily to achieve over 30mpg (27 - 28 being more the norm) and if I am using the car round town it achieves only around 19mpg.

I think the car would be better with either a more powerful engine or maybe an auto box with more than 4 forward gears. It seems as 5 or 6 gears are more the norm these days.

I have been tempted to think maybe my car was faulty but I have a friend who has the identical car. His is the same and he has been told by the dealer not to expect any better.

Overall I would say a great designed well built car but buy the diesel. If like me it has to be auto, then buy something else.

I believe Honda has fitted electrically operated power steering to the new model in an effort to improve the MPG. They are obviously aware of

My car

UI have owned the for 2 yearsfrom new. It's an extremely capable and totally reliable vehicle for a family of five.

It's been thoroughly tested on family camping trips abroad. We have teenage daughters who find the rear accommodation spacious and comfortable. The rear seats are excellent with a wide range of adjustment.

It's good to drive, with a compliant ride that handles speed humps with ease. The engine is noisy at idle but becomes silky smooth once on the go. It has bags of torque and can overtake swiftly without fuss at high motorway speeds.

We struggle to get over 35mpg during mixed driving. So is it worth paying the extra for the diesel? I think it probably is, because the engine is such a strong performer.

The interior is a bit plasticky and the hi-fi unit looks very dated. There is no separate interior clock - you have to use the stereo display!

We occasionally notice a creak from the front suspension and there is a persistent interior rattle from the roof area. An unusual trait is that you can feel a slight bulkhead vibration coming from the windscreen wipers through the clutch pedal? A bit odd that, not exactly fine Honda engineering.

The front Goodrich tyres were replaced after only 18,000 miles. The vehicle is very sensitive to out-of-balance wheels. One front wheel was slightly out by 5g, but this was enough to cause a distinct vibration.

Overall, the CR-V makes an excellent family workhorse that is easy to live with.