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SUVs Honda CR-V Honda CR-V Real World MPG
777 messages, Last post on Nov 03, 2009 at 2:32 PM
You are in the Honda CR-V Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
Your Community Leader is varmint.
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I'm 53, my wife a few years younger, and we're both getting beaten-up from normal, in-city driving in our brand-new 2006 AWD Auto CRV. We have 1200 miles on the car, having driven it mostly in-town and some on the interstate. We've also made one 300 mile trip and I first noticed the discomfort at about the 250 mile point. My neck felt like I'd wrapped a blanket around it - it was so tight and sore. Since then, I can't drive it without feeling pain. Not sure if my wife's hurting yet directly from the car, but she is in increased pain... The CRV was my first choice and after probably 20 different cars we settled on it because of the firm seat for my wife. It was only after we'd driven it on the road for the extended period that the pain became obvious. What's the collective wisdom? Anyone else found that driving a CRV is jolting and uncomfortable? Is there anything that we can do to lessen the pain? Is there anything that Honda can do? In regard to the other cars we test-drove, the RAV-4 was even more rough, but a 2006 Forester was smooth as silk! Also, an Accord was pretty stiff in suspension. Are all Hondas stiff and rough riding? Is the CRV stiff because it's on a truck frame and the Forester smooth because it's on a car frame? Our brand new, 1200 mile CRV may have to go if we can't make some changes. We may go back to the 2006 Forester, if we can find one, though I still like the Honda better... |
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Replying to: joebert52 (Aug 27, 2006 5:56 pm) |
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Replying to: joebert52 (Aug 27, 2006 5:56 pm) I compare it to driving a pickup truck. You're higher and the car body reactions to the road terrain translate (or magnify) into body movements. That said, my typically poor back and neck condition doesn't seem to suffer when driving the CR-V. Last summer, I drove cross-country, averaging 700 miles a day. No unusual pains or degree of pain. My experience is that I get some neck and back soreness sitting down in the typical low sedan (a Civic, for example) and then climbing back out. Not so with the CR-V. Wish I had the magic solution for you...perhaps time and seat / seat back adjustments may make you more comfortable. And you may acclimate to the higher and rockier ride. Good luck! |
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Replying to: steve_ (Aug 27, 2006 8:58 am) 
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Replying to: joebert52 (Aug 27, 2006 5:56 pm) The CR-V is built on the Civic Chassis. As stated by another poster, the seating position is reasonably high when compared to a sedan. The higher seating position and taller suspension will result in more MOVEMENT to the occupants. I have a '03 Pilot and my wife traded her Maxima for an '03 CR-V when she realized how much better her back felt after riding in a more upright position in the Pilot vs the more lay down position in the Maxima. Another plus is the ease of getting in and out of the CR-V vs a lower sedan. The CR-V is more fun to scoot around town than the larger and more cumbersome Pilot. The Pilot seats feel more comfy and roomy, and the ride is smoother. Therefore we take it when we go on road trips. After nearly 3 years of owning the Auto 4WD CR-V we took it on a 200 mile trip. I was not looking particularly forward to the rougher ride and "HARD" seats for that period of time. Long story short...After just a few minutes on the road, I kind of forgot that we were in the CR-V. When we arrived at the destination and again at home, we both felt as well as though we had been in the Pilot. FWIW: I'm under doctors care for problems with both my neck and lower spine. (Too many hours and crashes on cross country motorcycle races when younger.) I learned several years ago the benefits of sitting more upright. Many people have the seat back tilted too far back for the "chair" type seating, such as in the CR-V. That will cause strain in the neck and shoulders. I am 65 and my wife is 60. Kip |
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Replying to: joebert52 (Aug 27, 2006 5:56 pm) Couple thoughts for you: Are you having trouble entering and exiting your CR-V because it is higher than the car you might be used to? My missus has a tender back and will occasionally attibute a tweak to climbing aboard, but has no problem once we're underway. The CR-V has no A-pillar grab handle, but does have a handle above the door and the leading edge of the door can be used for a boost. How's your driving position? You should sit upright. You should be able to reach the firewall with your left foot flat on it. You should be high enough to easily see over the steering wheel. You should be far enough from the wheel that your elbows are slightly bent with hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock position. Driver and passenger can get additional lumbar support for cheap with rolled up bath towels. My guess, based on your description of your driving pattern and that driver and passenger have complaints, is that the problem may be related to getting in and out of a vehicle with a fairly high stance. The CR-V is nimble, and my missus sometimes objects that I whip it around. Could that contribute? Do you have running boards? I notice they make people step over them which could stress tender joints. Hope you find help for your problem. If you continue to have problem go try a Saab 9-5 on for size. In addition to my CR-V, my missus and I also own 9-5s. IMHO,their seats are ergonomic heaven, perhaps even therapeutic with the warmers turned up to roast. Prices on two or three year old models coming in off lease are very good. Good luck. |
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Replying to: joebert52 (Aug 27, 2006 5:56 pm) The CRV was my first choice and after probably 20 different cars we settled on it because of the firm seat for my wife. It was only after we'd driven it on the road for the extended period that the pain became obvious. What's the collective wisdom? Anyone else found that driving a CRV is jolting and uncomfortable? Is there anything that we can do to lessen the pain? Is there anything that Honda can do? In regard to the other cars we test-drove, the RAV-4 was even more rough, but a 2006 Forester was smooth as silk! Also, an Accord was pretty stiff in suspension. Are all Hondas stiff and rough riding? Is the CRV stiff because it's on a truck frame and the Forester smooth because it's on a car frame? Our brand new, 1200 mile CRV may have to go if we can't make some changes. We may go back to the 2006 Forester, if we can find one, though I still like the Honda better... Some people like SPORT HANDLING and some like boat like rides. That is why there are BMW's and Hondas (sport handling) and Buicks (boat like ride) You can try letting more air out of the tires, or checking the tire pressure. CR-V's come off the boat with tires inflated to almost 40 psi to prevent flat spotting, and the dealer is supposed to adjust the pressure to whatever the OWNER's MANUAL says. Short of that, there is nothing you can do. Sport handling is all about the keeping the tires in constant contact with the pavement, not boat like cushy ride. CR-V is car based as well, not truck based. Look under it, there is no frame, it is just a Civic on steroids.
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| A little more on topic, gas is down to $2.51, and that was at the "expensive" gas station by us. Nice! | |
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Replying to: blueiedgod (Sep 07, 2006 10:17 am) I take your point, but aren't some of the big trucks now going unibody? However, I don't think it is "Civic on steriods". Honda started with a Civic platform, but ended up with something very different. My wife has a 2002 Civic. It has a much longer turning radius, for example. |
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Replying to: KarenS (May 25, 2005 5:41 am) Just bought this car brand new, I haven't finished a tank yet, almost to half and only 117 miles on it. If this is what I can expect to get I'm going to be sick. I know I need to try a few tank fulls, but I haven't talked to anyone around here who has a CRV that is getting more than 18 mpg in the city. That's about all the driving I do. I can't believe they can advertise 18-26, and all the reviews in consumer guides give this car a great rating and supposedly one of the best mpg for small SUV's. This is my first SUV, it's fun to drive but I can't afford 16-18mpg for a whole year, that's almost half what I was getting with my last car 29mpg/city 96 saturn with 120k. I was figuring to lose maybe 5 or 6 mpg but this is ridiculous. If this car can't get 20mpg I won't keep it more than a year. Can anyone give me any hope? |
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