Ride Quality on 2007 CRV

[Kevinindel]

Greetings Everyone!
I just found this site and was wondering if any of you have noticed that the ride quality on the new 2007 CRV is not very smooth from above say 55mph?
My wife purchased one of the first (Japan) models and having just finished a couple of long distance rides on nice freeways, I have noticed that it doesn't seem to be a very smooth ride for a new car.
I was wondering if others have experienced this or is this just the way SUVs are, since this is our first. We had a Mini Van and my car is a 1995 Maxima. Both of these have/had a better highway ride.
I'm confused, please advise.
Thanks
Kevin

[bing]

Welcome to the SUV world Kevin. The CR-V has a shorter wheelbase compared to your previous 2 vehicles and so rides differently. It is actually quite smooth for a SUV since it is car-based but it is no where close to a minivan or top-of-the-line Nissan Maxima.

Hope this doesn't affect how you'd be enjoying your new CR-V as it is way better than other SUVs (in the same category) out there.

Cheers,
Bing

[Kevinindel]

Thanks Bing:

It just seems like you can feel every pebble on the road surface. I guess I could say it almost feels like (and this is the first thing I checked) is that the air pressure in the tires were very high. Not very soft ride, but if thats the way its supposed to be, I guess I'll get used to it. :lol:
Does the CRV come delivered with different brand tires? If so, I might have the harder compound type! Does anyone know if this might be the difference in ride quality?

Regards,
Kevin

[tleide]

I have driven my V on a 700mi trip. I did not notice any excessive jolts or bumps. But my previous vehicle was a 3/4 ton pickup. The new Vs do come with different tires mine has Continental contact 4x4 tires. Others on the lot had Dunlop tires. My tires had 31 psi during our trip. I now have 35 psi and I think the ride is still pretty good.
What kind of tires do you have on yours?

[sleeksilver]

Yes, tires make a difference in ride quality.


Minivans are supposed to have a soft ride, same with the older maxima...

[jfdaubach]

Kevin----welcome to the site and congrats on your vehicle purchase. If your experience is anything like mine (13 Hondas between my wife and I over a 32 year period) you've made a wise choice. I've never had a bad Honda though I'm sure anyone can get a lemon. As far as the hwy speed ride quality in your new V, like you, I'd suspect air pressure to be a factor but it sounds like you've ruled that out (not to offend your intelligence but did you check pressures with tires cold?). My V came with Bridgestone Duelers but I took an extended (4hr) test drive in one equipped with the Continentals before buying. Both rode very comfortably at highway speed, can't say I could really tell a difference between them. However, tire composition can certainly be a factor. I switched from the factory Goodyear Integrity set on my '03 Pilot to Michelin Cross Terrains and the difference was like night and day. Sorry I don't have more to offer in the way of explanation or solution but Bing's comments are right on----your V (and any SUV) will ride and handle differently than passenger cars or minivans. My bet is that with time, you'll come to enjoy all the positives about your V enough that you won't be bothered so much by the difference in ride quality. Hope so and good luck.

[Kevinindel]

The tires that came with my 2007 CRV are Bridgestone (Dueler) R/T tires.
I did check the pressure when cold (I was hoping that the pressure was high, but they weren't.
Funny thing is that when we test drove the CRV and decided to purchase that exact car, the dealer switched it for one (he said it was exactly the same car) that they had in the showroom. He did this because it was the end of the month and didn't have time to clean and prep the one we demo'd. The one in the showroom was already to go so we said ok to it. I don't know now if it had different tires on it or not. He did tell us that this CRV was made in Japan, not the US. I don't know if they use different tires or not on the US vs Japan models. Maybe he one we got from the showroom was a US model or visa versa. I don't know how to check since all the plastic coverings was already off the one we bought. He told me the way you can tell the difference between the US and Japan models is the type of protective covering they use. The Japan models have it all over the car, and the US version just has it on the top portions.

[ccacp89103]

There are no CR-Vs that are being built in the US that are ending up in the US.

All US built CR-Vs are being sent to Canada for now.

So your dealer should get his facts straight.

J Vin = Japanese built

5J US built

[bing]

The ride is affected by tires but it shouldn't be too different between the Continentals and Bridgestones since they are similarly sized and threaded (tire size/profile contributes most to affect ride quality).

Another thing is the wheelbase of the vehicles. Long wheelbased vehicles do have better ride and compared to the CR-V, both the Maxima and I'm sure the minivan have longer wheelbases.

What you're getting into is the ride of a SUV. Compared to others out there, the CR-V rides very well. For most of us Honda die-hards, that the way Honda ride too. Put me in a car blindfolded and I could probably tell the difference between a Honda or a Toyota!

Cheers! Happy New Year.
Bing

[Gmac]

The continentals will give you a much much better ride, lower noise levels, better handling as well.

I can tell you that it is noticeable on dry pavement and in the rain and snow as well.