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2011 Honda CR-V

45 messages,  Last post on Oct 17, 2011 at 10:32 AM

You are in the Honda CR-V Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda CR-V, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 5 of 6

#34 of 45 Passenger obscures driver's right blind spot - what do you do? by idic5

Sep 29, 2011 (11:52 am)

I am considering buying a 2011 CR-v, and in my test drive I had three people in the back seat, and I was quite surprised when I glanced over my right shoulder that I could not see my blind spot - the area in front of what the rear view mirror could see - since my passenger was there (also, that new pillar in the gen 3 re-design has already obscured this visibility as it is).
 
So ,
 
current owners of gen 3 V's, what do you do when you make a right lane change? Can you still do a shoulder check ? Do u rely on the rigth mirror? Is that adequate to catch things in this blind area?
 
I have come from mini vans in the past and was always used to very good visibility in all directions and so was surprised in this test drive. The last time I had test driven a cr-v was to replace my previa, and it was the gen-2 version and I felt there was outstanding visibility all the way around in that version - equal to or exceeding the previa. I decided to keep the old previa going , but now it has finally bit the dust and so am in the market again, and am looking at the cr-v again.
 
Why did Honda reduce its great visibility from side to side with those big old' pillars and small side windows from what they had in previous generations, which afforded very good sight lines all around not unlike a mini van?
 
But beyond this question, do you gen 3 cr-v owners find this apparent of lack of right side visibility acceptable? Again, how do you negotiate right lane changes , especially when there is a passenger in the left position of the rear seat?

#35 of 45 Re: Passenger obscures driver's right blind spot - what do you do? [idic5] by isellhondas

Oct 01, 2011 (6:25 pm)

Replying to: idic5 (Sep 29, 2011 11:52 am)
We have both a 2003 and a 2011 CRV and I'm not bothered by this. In Driver's Training they beat it into us to always look over our shoulder and not rely on mirrors and I guess I still remember that.
 
CRV's have the best rollover protection of any cars in it's class and unfortunatly having wider pillars helps this happen.
 
But, what doesn't bother one person can be a big deal to others.

#36 of 45 2011 CR-V 4WD by autobus

Oct 13, 2011 (9:07 am)

I was almost convinced on buying a 2011 Honda CR-V (4WD) after test driving it and comparing it to Forester (seats too small), Rav4 AWD 6cyl (too noisy), Tiguan, Sportage, and Rogue. Then I saw this video demonstrating the Honda's 4WD system to other AWD systems Demo
 
Can anyone comment on their experience with a CR-V's 4WD system in the snow/ice?
 
Thanks.

#37 of 45 Re: 2011 CR-V 4WD [autobus] by lzc

Oct 15, 2011 (7:17 am)

Replying to: autobus (Oct 13, 2011 9:07 am)
Interesting video. Whether the test conditions recreate real world conditions is unknown, although they look reasonable to me. Not in doubt, however, is that the Subaru has a superior 4WD system compared its more popular competitors.
 
No one should buy a CR-V expecting performance up to serious off-road use or arctic winter driving conditions. Like others in its class, its a practical utility vehicle with a 4WD system intended for light duty use. It improves winter driving traction.
 
For normal every-day driving, I think the CR-V is the better choice. But if one expects to rely on winter driving capability, then I'd choose something else.

#38 of 45 Re: 2011 CR-V 4WD [autobus] by isellhondas

Oct 15, 2011 (11:57 am)

Replying to: autobus (Oct 13, 2011 9:07 am)
We currently own two CRV's. Both are 4WD. One is a 2003 and the other a 2011. We also had a 2000.
 
All have done fine in the snow without winter tires. For serious snow driving there may be better choices but our CRV's have always done the job.
 
Our son bought a new 2009 Subaru Impreza. He really felt confident and good to go until it snowed the first time. He got stuck on a hill unable to move and a RWD Miata went around him!!
 
The Miata belonged to a co-worker who gave credit to the Blizzak tires he had installed on all four wheels.
 
The next week, the Impreza got a set of Blizzaks too and a MAJOR, HUGE improvement was noted!
 
If I was forced to commute, I would throw a set of those on our 2003 CRV.

#39 of 45 Re: 2011 CR-V 4WD [isellhondas] by autobus

Oct 16, 2011 (8:14 am)

Replying to: isellhondas (Oct 15, 2011 11:57 am)
No doubt that good snows will help. I'm just wondering how effective the Honda CR-V "4WD" is. I'm considering a 2011 model and also considering a 2011 Subaru Outback. Thanks

#40 of 45 Re: 2011 CR-V 4WD [autobus] by isellhondas

Oct 16, 2011 (9:41 am)

Replying to: autobus (Oct 16, 2011 8:14 am)
As I said, ours have served us well.
 
A couple of years ago, it snowed so hard on my way to work I was ready to turn around but I kept going and it did just fine even going up a pretty steep hill without winter tires.
 
Could a different car do better? Perhaps, but I was pleased by the way ours have performed.

#41 of 45 Re: 2011 CR-V 4WD [autobus] by rikrikardo

Oct 16, 2011 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: autobus (Oct 16, 2011 8:14 am)
Subarus have been snow-belt cars since they were first introduced in the 1970's. That was their initial niche.
 
All things the same (engine, transmission, tires) my bet would be that either the Subaru Forester or Outback would beat my wife's 2008 CR-V EX-L AWD in heavy snow (6 inches or more). That said, she's never gotten stuck in the winter on the country roads around St. Louis, MO, she really likes the CR-V's utility in carrying plants, and the dealership is only 5 miles away (vice 20 for the Subaru dealership). So it really comes down to what vehicle works best for you in day-to-day use, dealership distance, and the number of blizzards you drive through in a typical year.

#42 of 45 Re: Passenger obscures driver's right blind spot - what do you do? [idic5] by hecko007

Oct 16, 2011 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: idic5 (Sep 29, 2011 11:52 am)
I think several of the newer cars, including the CrossTour and CRV, look more sporty, but the manufacturers are doing the consumers a huge disservice by putting out these cars with compromised rear visability due to the sloping hood, small rear windows, and wide rear columns.
 
Just don't buy 'em! Or purchase an earlier model with larger windows.

#43 of 45 Re: Passenger obscures driver's right blind spot - what do you do? [hecko007] by isellhondas

Oct 17, 2011 (6:34 am)

Replying to: hecko007 (Oct 16, 2011 2:48 pm)
This is called rollover protection.
 
You can't have both. Thin pillars and excellent rollover protection.

Messages Page 5 of 6

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