C2 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, June 9, 1999 By Malcolm Gunn SPECIAL T O TH E BEAVER Honda's all-purpose CR- V has scored a direct bull's eye since enter ing the shoulder-to-shoulder SUV category two years ago. Sure, it may not score big styling points compared to some of the other cuties in Honda's stable. But it's not exactly an ugly duckling either. Regardless of appearance, there's been a flood of buyers who have snapped up these multi-purpose machines. Along with Honda's much-deserved reputation for building a quality piece, the CR-V is aggressively priced and loaded with features that leave many of its competi tors in the dust. The only real fault of the CR-V is the fact it has less power than such vehicles as the Ford Explorer, Chevy Blazer and Jeep Cherokee, which out- muscle the CR-V and its 126 horsepower emanating from the 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder powerplant. Even the newer-by- a-year Subaru Forester gets it on with a more powerful 165 horsepower 2.5-litre boxer engine. For 1999 Honda hopes to avenge its past horsepower sins by injecting 20 more ponies into the CR-V. How did they do it? Mainly through an increase in AUTOMOTIVE the engine's compression ratio, along with revisions to both the intake and exhaust systems. Now with more power on tap, the CR-V should easily outdis tance its chief rival, the 127- horsepower Toyota RAV4, as well as stay competitive with the new Suzuki Grand Vitara that sports a sightly larger 155- horse V6. Keep in mind that you 1999 Honda CR-V ★ Four-door sport utility vehicle available in LX or EX trim. ★ 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder producing 146 horsepower. ★ Five-speed manual, or optional four-speed automatic transmission. ★ Significant horsepower gain makes this SUV a real contender in 1999. ★ Wide assortment of standard equipment. ★ Lots of ground clearance for off-road excursions. ★ Traditional Honda attention to detail. ★ Visually, a conservative, yet tastefully designed product. ★ Base price: $25,800 can also select either the recent ly-minted five-speed manual, or the optional four-speed auto matic transmission to go with the brawnier motor. The CR-V's drive system operates the front wheels only under normal conditions, split ting the power between the front and rear wheels only under slip pery road conditions. Thankfully left undisturbed are all those special touches that make the CR-V an attractive choice to begin with. The base LX model comes with standard air conditioning, AM/FM/cas- sette sound system, cruise con trol, power windows, mirrors and door locks, air filtration sys tem, rear window wiper/washer, removable folding rear picnic table (it also doubles as a cargo cover) and 50/50 split folding rear seats. Ordering the more sumptuous EX version adds 15- inch alloy wheels, tinted priva cy glass behind the front doors, a roof rack, keyless remote entry and a CD changer. Other new touches for 1999 include illuminated power win dow switches, adjustable pas senger armrests, rear cupholders built into the door panels, new seat fabrics and a tougher spare- tire cover. From a safety standpoint, all CR-Vs get dual airbags, with ABS standard on the EX model. The CR-V, with its newly acquired power transfusion finally answers the one nagging criticism levelled at this other wise well-equipped, well-pro duced sport utility. Power may not be every thing, but when you're trying to stay on top in the SUV league, it pays to offer the paying public little reason to shop anywhere else. See the car that drove Jimmy Vasser around the bend. 1 2 © H a vo lin e * * _ dHh Hanes r U J i H L M Gillette f i r o r o n c ©TARGET m + * * * * '* Catch a Honda designed for fierce competition up close and in person. i Wednesday, June 9 & Thursday, June 10 In the 1998 season, Jimmy Vasser took wins at Nazareth, Milwaukee and California. In 1996, he won the CART Driver's Championship. Now see a replica of his 1999 car powered by Honda, up close and personal. And while you're here, take a look at some of the new Hondas, too. You just may find they have a lot more in common with Jimmy's car than you thought. OAKVILLE O N D A 191W YECROFT ROAD OAKVILLE (905) 844-9831 w w w . o a k v i l l e h o n d a . c o m © BUILT WITHOUT COMPROMISE What are you feeding your car? Whether or not you change your own oil, make sure you know what your car's being fed. Use a brand name product that carries the current SJ rat ing and the A m e r i c a n P e t r o l e u m Institute (API) seal of approval which sets the standards for motor oil in North America. Select the viscosity grade recom m ended in your owner's manual. Most manufacturers suggest 5W-30 or 10W-30 which are ver satile for winter and summer driving. Choose a formula that best suits your driving needs. For example, if you drive a high p e r f o r m a n c e car, tow a boat or trailer or commute to work, consider using a synthet ic blend rather than a conven tional oil. For superior protec tion and opti mum perfor mance, use a full synthetic oil. "While con ventional oils provide ade quate perfor mance," said F r a n L o c k w o o d , , Ph.D., vice- president of Technology for the Valvoline Company and a Director of the A m e r i c a n Institute of C h e m i c a l E n g i n e e r s , "synthetics can increase horse power and fuel economy by reducing fric tion and wear at engine start up." http://www.oakvillehonda.com