1999 Honda CR-V Review
1999 Honda CR-V Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
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Pros
- Honda quality, spacious interior.
Cons
- While horsepower is up, torque isn't. How about dropping an Accord V6 into this bad boy?
What’s new
The CR-V gains 20 horsepower, bringing the total output to 146. Automatic transmission models have a revised column shifter with an overdrive switch. The power window buttons are illuminated, the spare tire cover has been upgraded and the front passenger seat is equipped with an armrest.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Honda CR-V LX 4dr SUV and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$205/mo for CR-V LX
CR-V LX
vs
$201/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
For years Honda has been selling a sport-utility vehicle that many consider a fraud. Forget that the Honda Passport is based on the rugged and capable Isuzu Rodeo. To Honda aficionados, it is not a real Honda. (Consider how the Porsche 914 fares in the eyes of diehard Porsche fanatics.) Thus, to many people, the CR-V is the first Honda sport-utility vehicle.
Built on the Civic platform, the CR-V successfully integrates familiar Honda components into a fresh new design. Honda's famous four-wheel double-wishbone suspension makes an appearance on the CR-V (the first-ever application of four-wheel double-wishbone technology on a sport-ute), as does the familiar four-speed automatic transmission, which now comes with an overdrive on/off switch. The 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine makes 146 horsepower and 133 foot-pounds of torque, up 20 horsepower from last year, thanks to intake and exhaust tuning along with an increased compression ratio.
The CR-V's Real Time four-wheel-drive system is a derivative of the unit that Honda initially offered on their Civic wagon. All 4WD models come with a five-speed manual transmission, while the four-speed automatic is optional. A front-wheel-drive model is offered, but it comes only with the automatic transmission. The result of using all of these car components is not surprising: the CR-V looks and feels like a car.
The CR-V's interior is instantly recognizable to anyone who has spent time in Honda's passenger cars. Functionality takes precedence over style in the CR-V's cabin, and the result is easy-to-read gauges, well-placed controls, and high-quality, if somewhat uninspired, interior materials. Fit and finish is equal to the highly acclaimed Accord. Cargo capacity is an impressive 67.2 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded. The CR-V offers comfortable chairs for its occupants, each of which has excellent visibility and the ability to recline when the trip grows long. For the first time this year, the front passenger also benefits from a left-side armrest, an item that was missing on previous models. Rear passengers will also enjoy cupholders, which are now mounted in the door panels.
Available in either LX or EX trim levels, the CR-V is surprisingly well-equipped even at the base LX trim level. Air conditioning with a filtration system is standard, as are power windows, power door locks, rear window wiper and defogger, AM/FM stereo with cassette, cruise control and a folding picnic table that doubles as a cargo area cover. Antilock brakes are available only on the EX model, which also comes with a CD player and alloy wheels.
The CR-V is not meant to replace hard-core recreational vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler or Toyota 4Runner. Instead, it is meant for the person who wants the functionality of a sport utility without having to pay an exorbitant sticker price and huge gas bills. The CR-V will get people to work and back in all but the worst weather, and to their favorite picnic area, assuming it's not on the Rubicon Trail. Best of all, this is a sport-utility vehicle that Honda lovers can finally call their own.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Honda CR-V.
5 star(74%)
4 star(22%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
91 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
206,000 and going strong!!!!
brewmyown, 05/09/2013
1999 Honda CR-V LX 4dr SUV
I have a 1999 CR-V EX with 206,000 miles and and its still going strong. As others have said, adjust the valves every 20K - 30K (or sooner since its so simple to do in less than an hour without much knowledge at all), change your fluids as scheduled (Transmission, motor oil, rear diff oil, etc.) and it will last a long, long time. Even the cloth interors on these cars lasts forever … without showing wear. The vehicle is amazingly roomy inside.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Great small Suv
small3, 04/22/2012
1999 Honda CR-V EX 4dr SUV AWD
I have had my 1999 Honda Suv for 6 years with no problems! It now has 343000 on the clock but still goes like a dream. The AWD for me is great. I have launched my boat in some really awkward places at Jozini dam but the car never let me down.
We had a holiday at Pont D' Outo this year and the car had no problems with the sand we didn't get stuck once!!! And those sand roads are bad.
5 out of 5 stars
Best Car Ever
dustygirl, 07/02/2013
1999 Honda CR-V LX 4dr SUV
Updating:. Now has 217,000 miles on it. Had to have some new rear bushings put on. Transmission still great. No problems. Oh...had to put a new catalytic converter on. Cheap and easy to do.
*** Original review:
Wish they still made them like this.
I am the original owner of my '99 honda crv and now have 191,000 miles on it.
No major problems...Just put a new radiator on it about … two years ago, the old one just had a pin-hole leak.
The original battery lasted 9 years and was still okay, but I decided I'd just be safe rather than sorry and replaced it.
Only issue I ever had with it was a bad clunking/thunking when going over even small uneven spots...it was a $12 fix and just needed a new bushing where the sway bar end link went in.
We change the oil on time, and change the transmission fluid earlier than what it calls for.
I've checked valve clearance and they've always been fine.
4.25 out of 5 stars
10 years and 130K miles still strong (with caveats)
ruckerz, 08/31/2011
1999 Honda CR-V LX 4dr SUV
Bought this car new and still purrs like a puppy ten years later.
Things to keep an eye out on
[1] Automatic transmissions, don't forget to change that oil regularly.
[2] I had to replace the radiator at around 90,000 miles. It developed a crack in the cheap plastic casing in the front right below the fill port.
[3] Lube that rear differential regularly.
You'll definitely need to … change it if you notice that tight turns at low (5 mph) speeds causes a humming from the rear.
[4] ADJUST VALVE CLEARANCES early and regularly! The cylinder heads on the first generation CRV's are soft aluminum and the valve seats can recede into the head cooking your valves and a very costly repair
1999 CR-V Highlights
LX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $205/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 29.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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