Are you looking for a good crossover SUV in a limited budget?
Then a used 1st-gen Honda CR-V might the best option for you!
Not only does this car offers you with the best specifications, performance, and comfort all into one crossover SUV. Furthermore, the best thing about this car is that it is one of the best options available in a limited budget, mostly due to its outstanding reliability and specs, especially when considering the price.
Buying a car requires attention to details and collecting tons of information related to price, specifications, and much more. To help you with that, we've created this post covering all the details you should be aware of if you’re considering buying a 1st-gen Honda CR-V.
CR-V Basics
Honda has had a track record of producing some of the best sedans and SUVs for quite some time now. One such crossover SUV is the Honda CR-V which came into production in 1996 and went on until 2001. The first generation of CR-V turned out to be a big success as it offered the customers the comfort level of a sedan and the performance of an SUV.
Even though the production of the first-generation CR-V has stopped quite some time ago, many of these vehicles are still available and in excellent condition.
Honda CR-V Specs
This small SUV became a huge success because it's reliable, and it also offers some solid features for a car of this era. So good in fact, that these features still make it an interesting option today if you are looking for a cheap car to buy.
Engine
This car comes with a 2.0-liter gasoline DOHC 16-Valve B20B engine. This powerful engine makes this car one of the best options if you want a crossover SUV. The electronic injection fuel system, which was kinda innovative at the time, allows this car to offer optimum engine operation. This also makes it a fuel economical car with better performance than most. The Honda CR-V first generation offers a brilliant performance as it can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 m/h) in just 12.5 seconds with a top speed of 166km/h (103 m/h).
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Find a repair manual for your Honda CR-V here!
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Transmission
With the first generation of Honda CR-V, Honda gave the option of front-wheel drive and all-wheel-drive in this car. As mentioned before, this car is a crossover SUV, which means that it provides all the comfort of a sedan with the performances of an SUV. The all-wheel-drive option made this crossover SUV a reliable option for the customers. This model comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Later models also offer a 5-speed automatic or manual transmission.
Brakes
1st-gen Honda CR-V offers the customers with front ventilated disc brakes and rear disc brakes. We cannot compare the braking system of this car with the later models of the Honda CR-V, but we can say that it offers a good braking system nonetheless. Efficient and cost-effective to maintain, it does the job it's supposed to do.
Fuel Economy
As discussed before, this car has an electronic injection fuel system which makes this car a fuel-economical option. The 1st-gen Honda CR-V burns around 13.2 L/100Km (17.8 mpg) within the city limits, 8.5 L/100Km (27.7 mpg) on the highway, for a 10.2 L/100Km (23.1 mpg) average.
Interior
The interior of Honda CR-V 96-01 makes the user fall in love with this car all over again. It offers a huge passenger and cargo room. 5 adults can easily fit into this car comfortably. A 29.6 cu. ft. (seat up) or 67.2 cu. ft. (seat down). The cargo room provides you with more than enough storage space to fit everything you need, even for a long trip. With tons of other features like a driver's seat with manual height adjustment, power windows with auto-down driver's window, power door locks, cruise control, this car is probably your best option if you're on a tight budget.
Yearly Updates in 1st-Gen Honda CR-V
- Honda CR-V 1998: In the year 1998, the following features were added:
a. All-wheel-drive option
b. 5-speed manual and auto transmission - Honda CR-V 1999: In the year 1999, the following features we added:
a. 20 horsepower engine gain
b. New illuminated power window switches
c. Rear-door cupholders - Honda CR-V 2000: In the year 2000, the following features were added:
a. New exterior color - Honda CR-V 2001: In the year 2001, the following features were added:
a. Rear child-seat tethers
Honda CR-V 96-01 Pricing
The price of the 1st-gen Honda CR-V varies from $3,000 to $4,000 depending on the model, year, mileage, and overall condition of the car. You might have to pay even more than $4,000 if the car is in mint condition.
You can find still find 96-01 Honda CR-V used for sale in good condition, but it will require some work and a bit of patience. Finding one in excellent condition is also possible but it will take even more patience. We also recommend you take a test drive before buying a used car. In this way, you’ll be able to know whether it’s the right vehicle for you or not.
Moreover, as this is an older model of Honda CR-V, make sure to have it inspected by a professional mechanic before buying it. A certified tech can suggest if it's worth it or if you could find a better one.
Last Words
If you are looking for a good and reliable SUV on a budget, the 1st-gen Honda CR-V is surely one of the best options for you. This car offers some of the best specifications, performance, and comfort in its class. And thanks to Honda's well-know reliability, you know there's still a lot of mileage available under the hood. Also, not to neglect is the fact that you can easily find one for under $5,000.