The Honda CR-V arrived in North America in 1997 and has been a dictating factor for what a family crossover should be. Sure, it didn’t invent the segment, but it perfected it in a way that few competitors could ever do and transformed the compact SUV market from a niche of elevated hatchbacks into the dominant automotive force of the 21st century. The CR-V’s arrival coincided with buyers realizing that traditional sedans lacked utility, and that body-on-frame SUVs were too cumbersome and thirsty. Honda, ever the problem solver, gave the market its solution: an SUV with car-like handling, massive interior volume, and the mechanical integrity its vehicles were known for.
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