Should You Take the 2004 Honda CR-V Off Road?
While the 2004 Honda CR-V can handle some off-road trails, it’s not intended for difficult off-roading.
Written by Sophie Boka
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Although it can handle gravel roads and easy trails, you should not take the 2004
Honda CR-V
off road in difficult conditions.Trudging up mountains. Sloshing through rivers. Parading through snow. Going off road gives some drivers a rush that they just can’t get on pavement. But not every vehicle is built for off-roading. And if you go out in the wrong one, you’re bound for disappointment.
Here to break down the 2004 Honda CR-V off-road rating is
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Can the 2004 Honda CR-V go off road?
In short: yes—the 2004 Honda CR-V can go off road in certain circumstances.
True to the CR-V name, the 2004 model is an incredibly reliable and sturdy vehicle. However, if you compare it to a true off-roading vehicle, the CR-V pales in comparison.
The 2004 CR-V’s MSRP started out at $19,000. Today, Edmunds quotes a price range of $2,545–$4,246 to pick up one used. So you’re looking at quite the deal!
But will that number get you enough off-roading bang for your buck? Let’s walk through the specs to find out.
Ground clearance
The first spec to check out when shopping for an off-roading vehicle is ground clearance. The 2004 Honda CR-V has a ground clearance of 8.1 inches.
Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest part of your vehicle’s chassis and the ground. Why does this matter? Think about it.
When you’re off-roading, you encounter rugged terrain. So the bigger the space, the more ground you can clear.
Let’s put the CR-V’s ground clearance into context. For off-roading, we usually like to see a vehicle’s ground clearance fall between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. The
Ford Bronco
, for instance, sits 11.6 inches off the ground.The CR-V’s 8.1-inch ground clearance isn’t quite there, but it’s not bad either. You can handle some roads. You just need to be mindful.
Torque
Speed and acceleration are impressive, sure—but when you’re off-roading, those specs play second fiddle to
torque
. Why? Torque influences which obstacles you can handle on the road.Inspired by the Civic, Honda’s second generation saw a powertrain upgrade. Its 2.4-liter inline-four-cylinder engine came with a max torque of 162 @ 3,600 RPM.
Let’s check that against the
Ford Bronco’s
torque: 415 @ 3,100 RPM. Again, the CR-V’s not bad. But relative to a vehicle built for off-roading, the CR-V just won’t offer you the same power to get up and over steep terrain at slow speeds.Tires
The 2004 CR-V comes in two trims: the LX and the EX. The LX comes in 2WD or 4WD, while the EX only comes in 4WD. Each vehicle is equipped with the same set of tires: P205/70 R15 95S.
These tires are all-season, which is okay for off-roading. But they’re relatively narrow. Since the ‘04 is an older model, it will likely already have or need new tires, which is a great opportunity to choose something better.
Upgrading to sturdier tires should be your first move. Also, consider larger tires for a bit more ground clearance.
Drivetrain
The ‘04 CR-V LX trim comes standard with front-wheel drive, revealing that the model wasn’t truly intended for off-roading. Usually, off-roading vehicles are designed for more control.
That said, opting for the 4WD upgrade will give you extra oomph when driving through rough conditions. It’ll also enhance your safety when on easier streets. So it’s a worthwhile feature across the board.
Angles
Drivers who off-road see the driving experience from a different angle—literally. If you want to take your vehicle off road, you’ve got to consider its angles.
To review, you’ve got two of them: your approach angle and your departure angle. Your approach angle indicates the maximum angle you can scale without interference. And your departure angle indicates the maximum angle you can descend without interference.
The 2004 Honda CR-V can approach a max of 29 degrees. Its max departure angle is 24 degrees. These angles, again, are just okay. For off-roading, you’re aiming more toward 40 or 50 degrees.
Off-road rating: In a Pinch, you’ll be Rough and Ready
So, we’ve walked through the specs. What’s our overall rating? Let’s take a look at
Jerry’s
DIRT rating system to settle up: Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversThis was a tough one, but we ended up giving the 2004 Honda CR-V an I/R rating. The CR-V is a sturdy, reliable vehicle. And it can be outfitted to take on rougher roads. But without adjustments, its specs are barely passable and probably best relied on only in a pinch.
The best off-road alternatives to the 2004 Honda CR-V
The CR-V is a fan favorite for a reason. It’s reliable, durable, and spacious. But if you’re interested in shopping around some more, we’ve collected a few recs:
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best hatchback alternative | 2003 Pontiac Vibe | $1,425–$2,367 | The 2003 Pontiac is a cult favorite for post-purchase fixes. With the right adjustments, this hatchback can take on some fun terrain. |
Best luxury alternative | 2004 Lincoln Town Car | $2,738–$4,373 | For a fraction of a Town Car’s price, you can defy off-roading expectations in this luxury American vehicle with a powerful V8 engine. |
Best updated alternative | 2009 Saturn VUE | $2,922–$4,259 | Flash forward a few years, and for a small price increase, you can opt for a vehicle with modern design and safety features. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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