2002 Honda CR-V; Honda's cute-ute grows up.(Brief Article)(Evaluation)

One could say the CR-V perfected the mini-sport/ute formula, besting models from Toyota, Chevrolet, Kia and even Jeep in terms of its all-around family-friendly design. It may not be the best off-road, nor is it the sportiest-looking trucklet on the road. But it's been hard to argue with Honda's formula for giving most buyers most of what they want.

The little Honda has seen some stiff competition emerge since it bowed in 1997, though, namely from redesigns of the Chevy Tracker and Toyota RAV4, and most notably, the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute.

The Escape has consistently outsold the CR-V since September 2000, only one full month after the Ford's debut, but Honda has moved over one million units worldwide since 1997, and Honda wants nothing more than to maintain its sales pace.

When current owners were asked what they didn't like about their mini-utes, Honda says they wanted more power, cabin and cargo room. The 2002 CR-V gets all of those things, starting with an all-new 2.4-liter inline four, using Honda's i-VTEC variable valve timing system, taking the place of the previous 146-hp 2.0-liter. The 2.4 turns out 160 peak horsepower at 6000 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm, making it the first American-spec Honda four with more torque than horsepower. The result is immediately felt on the road, where the CR-V no longer struggles to climb hills or merge into freeway traffic. That said, we wouldn't mind a little more oomph.

Any sign of a V6 remains conspicuously absent from the CR-V lineup, with Honda officials toeing the corporate line about the four-cylinder's ``sufficient'' power for the vehicle's 3201-pound base weight. Shades of that Acura NSX that's gone a decade with-out a V8, eh? Most Escape owners choose the 200-hp V6, so Ford seems to be on target with what Honda would regard as more-than-sufficient power.

The CR-V's four-banger sees the first Honda application of its patented i-VTEC variable valve timing and lift control system (the same system made its North American debut on the Acura RSX), which helps the engine to strike a balance between low-rpm torque and high-revving power delivery, while optimizing fuel economy and minimizing emissions. The 2.4-liter's rear exhaust port layout also helps to lower emissions by allowing for quicker catalytic converter light-off times. The '02 CR-V meets 2004 low-emission vehicle standards, producing 87.5 percent less oxides of nitrogen than the current model, while still achieving a combined EPA average of 23.8 mpg.

The 2.4 comes mated to one of two new transmissions, either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual, in either front- or real-time four-wheel-drive models (the manual is only available on the four-wheel-drive LX or EX). The manual delivers decent shift feel and lets you get to the power better, but the automatic, with new Grade Logic Control ...