Honda CR-V
South Africa has a love affair with the four wheel drive. The kind of love that exists between men after the entire bottle of Klippies is gone. The "I love you man" said in the slurred speech of catatonic and almost absolute inebriation. Raised suspension, tough looks and a stance that says "look at me skeef and I'll donner you." With the exception of aftermarket prepared expedition vehicles, off to real Africa, we don't actually go off road really. That extra driven axle and complicated four wheel drive system is more for show. Because we could need it one day. And also because they are all basically used as station wagons, but nobody wants to be seen dead driving one.
Consequentially we have a whole market segment of so called soft roaders. Four wheel drives that are built to cope with the rigors of a steep driveway and the occasional high kerb. Perception leaders in this segment are the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CRV. Adored for their reputations for hassle free ownership and reliability. The Honda in particular is the Macho car for those who want nary a trace of testosterone. With hardly a butch viewpoint from any angle, this is as un-intimidating as the sector can possibly get.
Soft looks, soft suspension and even a soft drivetrain. Smash your accelerator foot into the soft carpet and a bit of exhaust noise is emitted as the car accelerates a bit faster. This is no disguised boy racer. This is predictable family car. Try to hussle it at a high pace and expect to be unrewarded. Expect more buzz and noise than pace and urgency. The drivetrain is best described as slow witted and predictable, an unfussy family wagon designed to take your two kids and labrador away for the weekend. At a reasonable rate.
What makes it special is its very lack of extremeness. It fits in. It isn't gauche and pretentious. It has no ego cachet. It has a brand and model reputation for being competent, reliable and predictable. This it does. With climate control, a seemingly infinite variety of clever stowage options, such as double level cargo area. Excellent sound system, with one drawback, if you have a large iPod, enjoy the lengthy delay in finding the track you want by twiddling the dial record by record. One or two interior design conversation points make it special like the more aerospace than car handbrake lever, a flip down panoramic interior rear view mirror doubling as a sunglass stow away for keeping an eye on said kids and labrador.
This is what it is: the family wagon for the era where the wagon is unacceptable.
