Consumers typically are drawn to products marketed as "new and improved." If human nature repeats itself, the line should start forming at dealers by month's end for the 2007 Honda CR-V.

Consumers typically are drawn to products marketed as "new and improved." If human nature repeats itself, the line should start forming at dealers by month's end for the 2007 Honda CR-V.

Consumers typically are drawn to products marketed as "new and improved." If human nature repeats itself, the line should start forming at dealers by month's end for the 2007 Honda CR-V.

This summer, Honda Motor Co. put its best foot forward, launching the 2007 CR-V in the rugged Canadian surroundings of British Columbia, with a 180-mile press drive across the Sea to Sky Highway near Vancouver. For this vehicle, it was a walk in the park.

The third-generation 2007 CR-V has been revamped with fresh styling, better utility and a refined interior that bridges Honda's popular crossover vehicle from compact sport utility to a midsize sedan-like feel not found in its predecessors.

"CR-V styling is now younger with sweeping front design that leads a tapered roofline to a cleaner rear hatch," Honda exterior stylist Shoji Fujimaki said. "It's a contemporary look for CR-V."

Noticeably absent is CR-V's spare tire, previously mounted outside on a side-swing rear door. It is now contained within the vehicle's framework, which allows the rear hatch to lift for more convenient loading. The hatch is hinged deep into the rear roofline for lighter weight and higher lift.

CR-V also opens to greater cargo possibilities with a new height-adjustable dual-deck shelf in the rear hold that blends flexible use with convenience.

Passengers are treated to more interior space with a redesigned cabin that provides greater leg and hip room for five occupants.

Parents of small children will appreciate the handiness of a sliding center-section in the second row that moves forward for closer placement of a baby seat to the driver and front passenger. A convex rearview "conversation mirror" -- located in a drop-down overhead compartment -- also helps keep a parent's eye on young passengers.

The driver's seat includes a height adjuster, and both front seats get increased slide range, fore and aft. Coupling that with CR-V's lower ride height makes ease of cabin entry or exit simpler.

CR-V's gauge cluster is backlit with blue ambient lights while the dashboard features a double-tier glove box. The cabin is a relaxed space with improved sound insulation for a quiet ride.

Ride quality is very car-like, courtesy of CR-V's 17-inch tires and a new suspension that improves rigidity by nearly 10 percent. A lower center of gravity and wider track provides enhanced stability and handling.

Honda's new CR-V comes with a 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed automatic only transmission that propels a front-wheel drivetrain. Available real-time four-wheel drive throws 70 percent of the torque to the rear wheels under low traction conditions.

The 2007 Honda CR-V goes on sale Sept. 28, at a base price estimated to start around $21,000.