Honda SRV 1st generation salon. Review of the Honda CR-V RD1. Available configurations and prices

The 1st generation Honda SRV was released in 1995, for the Japanese, European and American markets, it was the first Honda crossover developed in-house. With its appearance, the CR-V revolutionized the class of urban crossovers.

In the article you will learn details about the first generation Honda SRV, development history, technical specifications, purchasing recommendations, tips maintenance, technical regulations. service from the Japanese division of Honda (Honda Japan), tuning, photo and video test drive.

In the first half of the 90s, the Honda Research Institute decided to develop a universal car for the city and rough terrain; this project became the 1st generation Honda SRV.

Honda SRV 1st generation

The engineers were faced with the task of making universal car in every sense of the word, it must be suitable for the city, be well equipped, economical, comfortable, and at the same time be easy to drive over rough terrain. The designers coped with the task perfectly.

Honda SRV is not the first urban SUV; the pioneer was the Toyota RAV 4, and they say that Honda engineers took into account Toyota’s shortcomings. Some say that the CR-V was developed earlier, but in any case, the SUV from Honda made a revolution and became the standard model in the class for many years to come.

First of all, the SRV has become a bestseller due to its versatility; it’s great to drive in the city, and parking without noticing curbs thanks to its high ground clearance is priceless.

The appearance of the 1st generation Honda SRV resembles a beautiful station wagon, but there are many details from an SUV. What catches your eye is the spare wheel bolted to the trunk door and plastic linings on the convex parts of the side doors, which will protect against branches and scratches.


Exterior Honda CR-V 1, it turned out nice, the car still looks relevant. But why people fell in love with the Honda SUV is because of the interior, or rather, for its functionality and convenience.

The 2nd row of seats folds inwards and outwards, the second option is perfect for spending the night. There is no partition between the first and second rows and you can move freely between the rows.

The abundance of glove compartments is amazing, they are everywhere, even in the back door, there is a folding table between the driver and passenger, and a pull-out drawer under the front passenger seat. The trunk does not lag behind the interior; it has a folding table.

Technical part

The engine for the 1st generation Honda SRV was installed without any alternative B20B, it is a reliable unit with a power of 130 horsepower and 192 Hm of torque. The B20B is structurally similar to the legendary B16b engine, only the B20B never received VTEC valve timing.

After the restyling of the 1st generation Honda SRV in 1998, the engine added 20 horsepower and in some countries began to carry the B20Z index. I repeat, the unit is reliable and will last a long time if properly maintained. We will tell you about proper maintenance later in this article.

Since the beginning of the car's release, the transmission, similar to the engine, has been of the same type, this is a classic automatic transmission; after restyling, a manual transmission was added.

Plug-in all-wheel drive Real Time 4WD

The first generation Honda CR-V was produced with all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is plug-in, which means that by default the Honda is front-wheel drive, but if the front wheels cannot cope with the road surface and begin to slip, then the rear wheels are connected to them in a split second.

Many competitors have plug-in all-wheel drive, this is basically a viscous coupling, its main advantage is its low cost and simplicity of design, and its disadvantage is the delayed engagement of the rear wheels in an emergency.

Honda decided to go its own way and released a drive implemented thanks to the DPS system with two pumps, one responsible for the front wheels, the other for the rear. This system, unlike its competitors, is based on pure “mechanics”; it does not need electronic units management and programs.

This ensures instant response and connection. rear wheels, thereby improving cross-country ability and reducing fuel consumption. Yes, such a drive should not be compared with permanent drive like real SUVs with transfer case transmission The Honda SRV 1 will not amaze you with any super-tasks on off-road, but you can drive it into nature without any problems, country road and feel confident in winter.

The suspension itself is independent, like Honda Civic EG, by the way, the 1st generation Honda SRV completely borrowed the platform from the Civic in the EG body. Multi-link suspension rear and double-wishbone front provide the city crossover with Civic-like handling. The chassis turned out to be reliable; there were cases when the service life specified by the manufacturer was exceeded many times!

To summarize, we can safely say that the Honda SRV 1st generation and 20 years later is a reliable, comfortable and functional car for an active driver.

Technical characteristics of Honda SRV 1st generation

Date of production: 1995-2001 (restaling occurred in 1998)
Country of origin: Japan
Body: crossover
Body brand: RD1
Number of doors: 5
Number of seats: 5
Length: 4470 millimeters
Width: 1750 millimeters
Height: 1705 millimeters
Wheelbase: 2620 millimeters
Ground clearance: 210 millimeters
Tire size: 205/70R15 95S
Drive: front and 4WD
Front chassis: two arms
Rear chassis: multi-link
Transmission: automatic and manual transmission
Front brakes: ventilated discs
Rear brakes: drum
Fuel consumption: 8.1 liters per 100 km/h combined cycle
Volume fuel tank: 58 liters
Weight: 1390 kilograms

Engine 2.0 liter B20B until 1998
Index: B20B
Volume: cm3
Power: 130 horsepower 5500 rpm
Torque: 192 Hm 4200 rpm
Fuel consumption per 100 km: 8.1 liters
Number of cylinders: 4
Compression ratio: 9

Engine 2.0 liter B20B after restyling in 1998 (in some catalogs it is called B20Z)
Index: B20B
Volume: 2000 cm3
Power: 145 horsepower 6300 rpm
Torque: 188 Hm 4500 rpm
Fuel consumption per 100 km: 8.6 liters
Number of cylinders: 4
Compression ratio: 9

Prices

Prices for the 1st generation Honda SRV start at 200,000 rubles, but a copy in good condition costs from 300,000 rubles.

Tuning Honda CR-V 1st generation

Courtly tuning studio Mugen has released a complete set of modifications for the Honda SRV 1:

The history of the Honda CR-V (Honda SRV, or CRV) is a story about the birth of a new standard of cars, which occurred thanks to the design experiments of Honda.

In the mid-90s of the twentieth century, in the bowels of the Honda Research Institute, new project, is a compact car with the ability to travel over rough terrain, and a high level of equipment for its class, both technically and in terms of comfort. The result of serious developments was the first generation Honda CR-V.

Appearing on the Japanese market at the end of 1995, this car once and for all changed the attitude towards the SUV segment. Starting with the Honda CR-V, a history of cars with station wagon practicality and improved off-road performance begins. The abbreviation CR-V itself means “Comfortable Recreational Vehicle” - “Car for a comfortable holiday”, its concept is already reflected in the name. What made the CR-V successful? Many companies have already tried to create something similar, but only Honda managed to create a truly masterpiece.

First of all, excellent new engine B20B. Being a “relative” of the legendary B16A (B16B), this wonderful, balanced two-shaft engine never received VTEC, but even without it it produced 130 hp sufficient for this car, especially since a small restyling carried out in 1998 added more to it 20 hp

Thirdly, all-wheel drive. Initially, only an all-wheel drive version was produced, powered by the DPS system. Later, front-wheel drive versions appeared, but the bulk were produced with all-wheel drive.

Fourthly, the suspension design. Initially, there were concerns that the heavier body, based on the Honda Civic EG, would lead to rapid wear of the suspension. But all the spiteful critics missed the mark. It’s hard to come up with a more reliable suspension model than a multi-link scheme at the rear and two levers at the front, but in Honda’s version this scheme turned out to be almost perfect. The design of the suspension was so successful that often no additional maintenance was required during the entire warranty period (100,000 km). Many nodes were nursed for two times!

Fifthly, the salon. The interior comfort of the CR-V in the first body is still considered a model for its class.

Sixthly, controllability and cross-country ability. The Honda CR-V had excellent cross-country ability for its class. Of course, it makes no sense to compare it with real SUVs, but this is not required - this car was required to be able to get to a picnic site away from the road. Sedans, hatchbacks, standard station wagons, which usually got stuck on the road, or “collected” all the bumps on the bottom, could not compete with the new Honda models with its 200 mm ground clearance! At the same time, on the highway the CR-V handled like a regular front-wheel drive station wagon.

Based on the sum of all the advantages, the Honda CR-V was in the lead by a huge margin over its competitors. The whole world became the sales markets for the new model - Japan, the USA, even conservative Europe could not resist this masterpiece from Honda. By the way, the configurations of cars in different markets were almost identical.

The Honda CR-V, presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, became one of the first representatives of the “crossover” class, although at that time this name was not yet used. In October of the same year, the new product appeared in Japanese car dealerships, and in 1997 its sales began in America, Europe and Russia. Due to increased demand in 2000, the production of " Honda CR-V"for the European market was organized at a plant in the UK.

When creating the crossover, components and assemblies of the fifth generation model were used. The only engine is a two-liter with a capacity of 129–130 hp. pp., it was paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The Honda CR-V had two versions: with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, but only all-wheel drive vehicles were supplied to Russia.

In 1999, the model was slightly restyled (only the shape of the bumpers changed), and the engine power increased to 140 hp. With. (performed for the Japanese market - up to 150 horsepower). The production of the first generation Honda CR-V ended in 2001.

2nd generation, 2001–2006

The second generation Honda CR-V, which debuted in 2001, has increased in size and become heavier, and the suspension designs have changed. In addition to the previous 2.0 engine (150 hp), the car received a new 2.4-liter engine with a power of 160 hp. s., such machines were equipped only automatic transmissions transmissions and were sold in Japan and America. A turbodiesel version of the crossover was prepared especially for the European market in 2005, equipped with a 2.2-liter power unit developing 140 hp. With.

In Russia, the “second” Honda CR-V was available only with a two-liter engine, all-wheel drive and a manual or automatic transmission.

3rd generation, 2006–2011

In 2006, the next generation of the model debuted. The car became a little shorter and lower, lost the “spare wheel” on the rear door, and its choice of options expanded.

In Russia, the “basic” Honda CR-V was offered with a two-liter engine producing 150 hp. With. paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. Cars equipped with a 2.4-liter engine (166 hp) were equipped only with automatic transmissions. They supplied us all-wheel drive crossovers, produced at a plant in the UK.

In Europe, cars were sold with a two-liter gasoline engine or a 2.2 i-CTDi turbodiesel with a capacity of 140 horsepower. In the American market, the Honda CR-V had only one version - with a 2.4-liter engine. The drive could be front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

As a result of restyling in 2010, the front design of the car barely changed, and European cars a new i-DTEC diesel engine of the same volume has appeared, developing 150 hp. With. In total, approximately 2.5 million cars were produced until 2012.

Honda CR-V engine table

Station wagon with cross-country ability– the original idea of ​​engineers for the Honda CR-V model. Due to unknown circumstances, the design underwent changes and in 1995 the Honda SRV RD 1 debuted in the crossover class. At that time, the brand made a real splash. No one has previously been able to offer this to a potential client: spacious interior, high ground clearance, a combination of power with fuel consumption and ease of maintenance. The closest competitor was the Toyota RAV-4. But it was also significantly inferior in a number of indicators, which will be discussed below.

Specifications

Structure, platform/frame

Honda SRV 1996 is partially built on the platform from Honda Integra. Percentage: 25% to 75%. Engineers initially planned to develop a completely new base for the crossover. The catastrophic lack of time and the market’s dictation of its conditions have left their mark.

Engine

The success of the Honda CR V RD 1 model largely depended on power unit. The first and only 2.0-liter engine in the classic in-line design until 1999: four cylinders, a drive belt, two camshafts and 130HP under the hood. Catalog index B20B.

There were no complaints during operation. Surprisingly high-quality and well-coordinated motor the first time. But not without an error - a defect in the crankshaft pulley mounting bolt. After the first timing belt replacement, it broke when tightened. There is a version that the reason is exceeding the maximum effort. Whether this is so is not known for certain.

Externally, the power unit is similar to the engine from the Honda Integra V - 1.8 liters, with an increased cylinder diameter. At 5400 rpm the torque is 180 Nm. Overall, not bad for an “off-road station wagon.”

checkpoint

The Honda CR V 1996 gearbox is presented in a classic version: a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. In general, there are no complaints about the work, that’s just annual maintenance It’s not cheap, from 25,000 rubles. And given the age of the model, even more costs.

But here too the problem was solved by installing contract transmissions. It cost 10,000 rubles less. Cheap and cheerful.

Suspension

Suspension type: independent double wishbone at the front and MacPherson strut at the rear. This made it possible to literally absorb small and medium-sized bumps on the road without recoil, vibration, or knocking. steering wheel, car interior.

Body supporting with reinforced wishbones. Brake system disc type in front, drum type in back. Ground clearance 20.5 cm.

Exterior

The first generation Honda SRV is characterized by stylistic solutions in the form of fender linings and the manufacture of front and rear bumpers from polymer materials. For European and CIS countries, the model was supplied with a front chrome radiator grille, and for the US market it was exclusively made of black plastic, matching the color of the bumper.

Dimensions: 4510 x 1780 x 1770 mm. Wheelbase: 2620mm, and the restyled version is five centimeters longer.

Interior

Spaciousness and accessibility – these are the properties for which the model is loved by consumers from Japan and the USA. The horizontal driver's seat cushion, the automatic transmission paddles attached to the steering wheel, the perfectly folding rear row of seats, everything is so well thought out that there are no complaints at all.

But the main highlight was hidden in the floor of the luggage compartment - a portable picnic table. Looking ahead, this “zest” was preserved until the fifth model.

Restyling

In 1999, the Honda CRV concern introduced a new product - a modernized version of the stock SRV 1 engine. This did not happen on the engineers’ own initiative, but under pressure from the model’s owners. The reason is that for a car weighing one and a half tons, the standard power unit is not enough for active use. New designation 2.0 L B20Z 150HP L4.

The modification received an increased compression ratio, the amount of lift of the exhaust valves, new uniform exhaust manifold. This contributed to an increase in the vehicle’s efficiency: consumption was reduced by 17%. City cycle 10 l/100 km, mixed 8.4 l.

Available configurations and prices

The Japanese auto industry has one characteristic common feature– gradation of product markets. We are talking about the following geographical regions:

• “Own Country” - Honda CRV 1996 engine with power ratings of 147 hp;
• Europe and CIS – 130 hp;
• USA - 128 hp

The restyled version differs from the first generation in the presence of an ABS safe braking system and pre-installed 15-inch wheels. Drive type: permanent front or optional all-wheel drive (Real-Time AWD).

On secondary market for a model with pre-installed mechanics they will ask from 380,000 rubles, and for an automatic it is 25,000 rubles cheaper.

Main competitors

There is only one competitor in the “weight” category, and it comes from Japan – Toyota RAV-4. At that time, there were no models in Europe that could withstand the Honda CR V.

Features of the model that distinguish it from competitors

Since the closest competitor was the Toyota RAV-4, there is nothing to compare, since the advantage of the Honda SRV is obvious: a high-quality engine, moderate fuel consumption, a modernized double-wishbone suspension at the front, unlike the classic McPherson strut of Toyota.

Cons, problems

• During technical inspections and repairs, be extremely careful and careful. Regular ABS sensors fragile, with slight mechanical impact they crack at the base;
• CR V RD1 models manufactured between 1997 and 1999 are “famous” for premature wear of the driveshaft crosspiece, which is carefully pressed into the metal shaft body. At that time, not all service centers had equipment for high-quality pressing of crosspieces. It got to the point that the owners dismantled the rear driveshaft and successfully drove the front one.

Pros, advantages

1. Moderate efficiency in fuel consumption;
2. Compact dimensions, like for a crossover car;
3. Maintaining the leading position of the top three since 1995;
4. Modernization of the car as a whole and its individual mechanisms.

Conclusion

It's a pity that production of the 1997 Honda CR V ceased in 2001. But, despite this, the “struggle” for it still continues on the secondary market. Buying a first-generation CR V takes a lot of time, but it's worth it.

Video: Main Road Honda CR-V I

Video: #The most honest owner review. Honda CR-V RD1 1999

The Honda CR-V is considered a fairly reliable car, especially if it very rarely goes off-road. Its design uses many components from other famous models brands such as Honda Civic and Honda Accord, which guarantees high stability in technical terms. Those who plan to drive the SUV frequently on or off challenging roads will be disappointed. The rear axle is connected via a hydraulic pump, which comes into operation with a long delay and transmits only a small part of the torque. It's rare that the rear axle can provide real assistance off-road. Another drawback is reliability. The coupling and pump are easy to overheat, and with frequent use they soon fail.

However, overall the system all-wheel drive The 1st generation Honda SRV is quite stable. However, problems after many years of use are almost inevitable. Most often there is a backlash on cardan shaft, in the front axle shafts, oil leaks may occur from rear axle. The “bridge” may hum if no one has ever changed the oil in it before.

Loads fail relatively quickly and manual box transmission The transmission begins to knock out or a grinding noise appears. Hard use ultimately ends in wear of bearings and synchronizers. Against this background, the automatic versions look better. Although automatic transmissions are quite outdated and slow, provided they regularly change the oil, they are much more durable than manual transmissions. It is noteworthy that the gear selector in the Honda CR-V with an automatic transmission is located on the steering column, like in American cars.

The geometric cross-country ability of the Honda SR-V allows a lot, but the main thing is not to overdo it. The suspension is strong and does not like unevenness. It feels best when used on roads with smooth hard surfaces. Original components have the greatest durability, but they are quite expensive, so owners are increasingly using cheap analogues, which wear out quite quickly. This is where the opinion arises about the crossover suspension as not the best element. Fortunately, it is usually small parts that need replacing, such as silent blocks and connectors.

Problems with the chassis often arise due to overload, which is facilitated by the spacious body. After several years of such use, the condition begins to deteriorate. rear suspension. Springs and shock absorbers will need to be replaced.

Vibrations radiating into the steering wheel are a typical problem that many Honda owners of that time encountered, and not just the CR-V. The disease arose for many reasons, the detection, confirmation and elimination of which is not only difficult, but also expensive.

The first generation Honda CR-V gasoline engines have earned a good reputation, especially the B20 series. They are very reliable and durable. The longevity of the engine depends entirely on the condition of the cooling system and valve clearance. Fan failure or radiator defects quickly affect the condition of the engine. Cheap thermostat analogues are short-lived. Unfortunately, many people forget about adjusting the valve clearance. In advanced cases, repair of the block head may be necessary. Ancillary equipment malfunctions and electronic malfunctions are rare.

Most Honda SR-Vs are well equipped, but electrical equipment often fails. These are mostly minor glitches. Most often, power windows suffer, and even then mainly due to the mechanical part.

The salon is assembled from materials good quality and looks good even on cars with over 300,000 km. The CR-V's self-supporting body is rigid and well protected from corrosion. Corrosion appears in places hidden from view. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to carefully check the condition of the load-bearing suspension elements, look under the seals and inspect the lower edges of the doors. Due to the spare wheel mounted on the tailgate, it has to be adjusted periodically.

Operating costs

Although the Honda CR-V can be purchased for relatively little money, operating costs are estimated to be above average for the class. Due to their age, many cars are already quite worn out. Unfortunately, even with little gasoline engine average consumption fuel will be at least 10 l/100 km. From the point of view of the ratio of power to fuel consumption, the restyled modification with an engine of 147 hp is much more profitable, versus the 128 hp version. 2-liter engines are practically the same structurally. The changes affected only the intake and exhaust system. The automatic version is the most voracious, but it is more comfortable to drive.

The most big advantage Honda SR-V - availability of spare parts. The market is very rich and there is no shortage of specialized stores and services. Original spare parts roads. Analogues are cheaper, but it is better to purchase better quality substitutes.

Conclusion

When looking for a Honda CR-V, it is better to purchase a younger example with more powerful engine. Car prices depend more on condition than age. If possible, it is necessary to check whether the crossover has not been involved in serious accidents - restoring the geometry is very problematic. It is better to avoid specimens that have often gone off-road. This will be indirectly indicated by numerous deformations, dirt and abrasions on the bottom, sills and elements of the exhaust system. It is imperative to check the condition of the connection coupling rear axle and differential. A hum in the rear axle area while driving indicates problems with the differential or multi-plate clutch. During the test drive, you should accelerate to at least 120 km/h to ensure that there are no vibrations. If they exist, then you must understand that eliminating them will be difficult or even impossible. Let us recall that in the case of the first generation CR-V, vibrations are not always caused by unbalanced wheels or uneven worn tires. Be careful.