It's easy to see why this versatile little hauler has taken the segment by storm. First off, there's its sporty styling and choice of LX or EX trims and two- or all-wheel drive. Next is a list of standards that includes air conditioning with a microfiltration system, power windows/locks/mirrors, cruise control, adjustable steering column, even an on-board picnic table. Finally, with a starting price under $19,000, the 2WD CR-V offers an exceptional cost-to-benefit ratio-a fact that plays out even better in person than it does on paper.
Need more convincing? Then we'll quickly add that the CR-V is just about the perfect vehicle for value-minded transitioning from a car to a sport/utility. Blessed with easy entry/exit and an elevated seating position, it's a breeze to maneuver in traffic, a snap to park, quite adept at light off-road duty in AWD configuration, and still provides great room for four adults on long runs and five for short stints. Inveterate toting types will appreciate that the CR-V's 29.6 cubic feet of rear cargo area can be expanded to 67.2 cubic feet merely by folding the split-rear bench seat; a lift-up rear window/swing-out gate further simplifies loading.
The only slightly suspicious element in the CR-V's pedigree has been the rather modest level of motivation found underhood. Honda addressed this weakness for '99, using a bump in compression ratio plus revamped intake and exhaust manifolds to raise output on its free-revving 2.0-liter DOHC four from 126 to 146 horsepower. While a commensurate boost in torque would have been even more welcome, that 16-percent increase in pony count helped drop the CR-V's 0-60-mph time from 9.4 seconds to 8.6 ticks on our five-speed EX AWD tester, and noticeably improved its general demeanor in hill-and-dale motoring mode. Despite those gains, it maintains exemplary 22 city/25 highway mpg EPA numbers.
Needless to say, we still wish Honda would drop a V-6 into this little scamp. A sport-tuned version with better performance would really be appealing. But there's no denying the latest round of upgrades makes an extremely desirable vehicle even more attractive.
-Bob Nagy
Thumbs Up
Great overall packaging
Excellent value
Improved power for '99
Thumbs Down
So-so sound system
No sunroof available
Still could use more low-end torque
Isuzu Vehicross Ironman Edition
Most Unique Styling
Few vehicles we've driven have elicited as many double takes as does the new Isuzu VehiCross. In fact, even fewer vehicles motivate people to follow us into parking lots to ask questions-this one did both.
Inspired by the widely heralded '97 Tokyo Motor Show concept vehicle of the same name, the VehiCross was adored by high-ranking Isuzu executives and the press alike, and soon went into limited production for the Japanese market. Isuzu's innovative and abbreviated concept-to-production process allowed it to be one of the freshest and most innovative designs ever to be introduced, especially in such a short time.
Based on a two-door Trooper platform, its unique body panels are the result of industry-first ceramic stamping dies that allow faster development and a less expensive alternative to traditional cast-iron dies. These dies, however, also wear out faster and will ultimately determine the VehiCross's life span. When it's determined they're out of spec, that's it-run over. We're curious about the quality potential of the last run, however. The unpainted lower body panels are made of chip- and scratch-resistant recyclable polypropylene that give it unquestionable durability in the brush. Beneath the unconventional skin lives more unique hardware.
A 3.5-liter/215-horsepower DOHC 24-valve V-6, complete with variable intake system, one-coil-per-cylinder ignition, and aggressive 19-degree valve angles, makes the VehiCross one peppy sport/ute. Its trick inlet plumbing allows both low-rpm torque for off-road hill climbing, as well as high-end horsepower for highway quickness.