The Good
The 1997 CR-V offers excellent reliability and a comfortable ride, appealing to practical buyers. Its simple, functional design and spacious interior are also pluses. Emotionally, its Honda reputation provides peace of mind, and its nimble handling makes it enjoyable to drive, offering a sense of freedom and adventure. Fuel efficiency is decent for its class.
The Bad
The 1997 CR-V has some potential weaknesses. The engine, while reliable, can feel underpowered, especially when fully loaded or climbing hills. Rust can be a problem, particularly in areas with road salt. Also, the automatic transmission is known to have occasional issues at higher mileage. Check for leaks and worn suspension components.
1997 Honda CR-V: Quick Overview
- Engine Options: 2.0L Inline-4 cylinder B20B engine
- Horsepower: 126 hp @ 5400 rpm
- Fuel Economy: Approximately 22 mpg city / 28 mpg highway (FWD), slightly lower for AWD models
- 0-60 Times: Around 10-11 seconds
- Towing Capacity: Not recommended for towing by Honda. Very limited if any.
- Trim-Level Features:
The 1997 CR-V was primarily available in one well-equipped trim level. Standard features included: - All-Wheel Drive (Real Time AWD)
- Four-speed automatic transmission (optional 5-speed manual)
- Power windows, power locks, power mirrors
- Air conditioning
- AM/FM stereo with cassette player
- Rear folding picnic table
- Cloth upholstery
- Dual front airbags
- Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
- Rear window wiper/washer
- 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers
- Optional Features:
Options were limited, but could include: - Upgraded stereo system
- Alloy wheels
- Roof rack
- Sunroof (depending on region/availability)
1997 Honda CR-V Specifications
Vehicle Information
| Year | 1997 |
| Make | Honda |
| Model | CR-V |
| Trim | - |
| Style | - |
| Type | Wagon |
| Category | Minivan Medium Truck |
Manufacturing Details
| Made In | Japan |
| Manufacturing City | EAST LIBERTY |
Dimensions
| Doors | 5-Door |
| Curb Weight | - |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | - |
| Overall Height | - |
| Overall Length | - |
| Overall Width | - |
| Wheelbase Length | - |
| Standard Seating | - |
Engine & Performance
| Engine | B20B4 |
| Engine Size | 2L |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Transmission | - |
| Transmission Type | Automatic |
| Transmission Speeds | - |
| Drivetrain | Four-Wheel Drive |
Additional Features
| Anti-Brake System | - |
| Steering Type | - |
Pricing
| Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) | - |
| Invoice Price | - |
| Delivery Charges | - |
Vehicle History Report
Specifications
History
Events
History Check
Check
Check
Check
Check
Listings
Recalls
Check
Analysis
What Problems Does the 1997 Honda CR-V Have?
How long will the 1997 Honda CR-V last?
What Technology & Safety Features are Included?
Safety features included dual front airbags. There were no advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like lane departure warning or automatic emergency braking.
Crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are available. The NHTSA gave the 1997 CR-V 4 stars for driver and passenger frontal crash protection. Side impact ratings were not available for that model year.
The absence of modern tech like Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, or advanced safety systems is a significant difference compared to newer vehicles. The focus was on basic functionality and reliability rather than cutting-edge technology. The rear picnic table was a unique "feature" at the time.
What Colors Options are Available?
Exterior Colors
Interior Colors
1997 Honda CR-V Prices and Market Value
1997 Honda CR-V Cost of Ownership
1997 Honda CR-V Fuel Efficiency
1997 Honda CR-V Insurance
reasonable repair costs.
How Does the 1997 Honda CR-V Compare to Other Wagon?
The Toyota RAV4 offered similar reliability and a slightly sportier driving experience. The Subaru Forester provided superior all-weather capability with its symmetrical AWD system. The Suzuki models were more budget-friendly but less refined.
If reliability is the top priority, the RAV4 is a similar alternative. For better off-road capability, the Subaru Forester is worth considering. For budget-conscious buyers willing to sacrifice some refinement, the Suzuki models could be an option. However, the CR-V strikes a good balance between reliability, practicality, and affordability, making it a solid choice in its class. Keep in mind all these vehicles are quite old now, so condition is paramount.
Ranks #340 SUV
| 1 | 2023 Toyota 4Runner | (5.0β ) |
| 2 | 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid | (5.0β ) |
| 3 | 2023 Lexus GX | (0.0β ) |
| 4 | 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV | (0.0β ) |
| 5 | 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | (5.0β ) |
| 6 | 2024 BMW iX | (0.0β ) |
| 7 | 2023 Ford Bronco Sport | (3.0β ) |
| 8 | 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB | (0.0β ) |
| 9 | 2024 Chevrolet Trax | (5.0β ) |
| 10 | 2023 Audi A4 allroad | (0.0β ) |
| 11 | 2023 Hyundai Kona N | (0.0β ) |
| 12 | 2023 Nissan ARIYA | (5.0β ) |
| 340 | 1997 Honda CR-V | (4.0β ) |
Final Verdict: Is the 1997 Honda CR-V a Good Wagon?
MissMyHarvie on January 21, 2021
So sad - had to sell HarveyΓ°à ¸ΓΕΓΒͺSo reliable and took me everywhere I asked! And yes his name was Harvey - and such an easy keeper , never ask for extras just necessities ! Just sold today - miss him already!
revo5857 on October 9, 2017
Old but got the job done.First car that stayed in my family for over 18 years while being driven every day. Always reliable and cheap to maintain. Drove great even after all of its years, overall a great car.
djacks14 on August 12, 2017
Most reliable thing everDrove the old girl to 330k miles and never had a single issue. She was beat up and pushed to the edge, but with regular maintenance handled it all. Would recommend a new 97 CRV to anyone
Rhonda on April 14, 2017
1997 Honda CR-V-most reliable car anyone's ownedTwenty years old and we haven't had to do anything to it except a drivers side window motor and an radiator. Easily has another 100,000 miles to go!
Gremlinsmasher on January 6, 2015
Reliability light SUV that is hard to matchedI have put over 250,000 miles and this SUV is still keeps going. I don't have any single issue with transmission, powertrain and engine at all. I bought it from Apr 2000 at ~36,000 miles used. The payload is pretty good as I have moved around the country a lot and also during my military PCS. This SUV has a good mileage even as current (over 23 mpg). The only issue is this SUV is not built to tow, so I bought a 2014 2500 RAM pick up truck. However, I am still keeping it for a town ride.
Jockames on May 21, 2013
1997 Honda CR-VWe purchased our 1997 CR-V about a month ago with 118,000 miles on it. We have put 1000 trouble free miles on the car and are quite pleased with it so far. The seats are not the most comfortable for longer trips but they're not intolerable. The car drives and handles nicely and the fuel economy is around 21-24 for combined mileage. The car has a lot of interior room for us and our 3 boys and a bunch of beach or boat stuff.
SKIPPY on November 27, 2012
awesomeawesome in snow, very reliable.looking for a newer one just because my legs are long and I fit better in the second generation CR-V.
el on May 28, 2012
Clifford, the big red CR-VGreat car! Loved to run up the hills. Loved playing in the snow, never lost traction. Never left me on a country road, didn't mind the terrain. Really, an outstanding dog of a car.
cidpusa on December 28, 2011
CRV by CIDPUSAI have had the car since 1997 bought it new and have driven it several times on 1500 mile trips and with time the car has accumulated 180,000 miles. Other then changing the tires, battery, shocks , distributor cap and sparkplugs everything else is original. You have to change the v-belt every 100,000 miles. The car still runs like it was new. The first generation of the CRV is just bullet-proof thanks to God. The engine is 2 liters and gives fuel mileage from 23- 29 MPG.
Franny on April 29, 2011
Short Time OwnerI have only owned my Honda CRV for a short time and so far I'm lovin' it. It's not too high for little old ladies to climb into and has plenty of leg room. When I fold the seats down I can cart around all kinds of "stuff" like I like to and the gas mileage has been aroung 24 mpg. I bought it from the Ford Dealer in Fairfield and it was one of the most pleasant experiences I have had buying a car. They didn't try to spin me and I really appreciated them.
Jovan
Jovan specializes in interpreting vehicle records and making sense of VIN data. With over 10 years of experience in the automotive data industry, his work ensures that every report is clear, accurate, and useful for car buyers.