Is the 1997 Honda CR-V All-Wheel Drive?

Yes. Honda's U.S. timeline says every 1997 CR-V came with Real Time 4WD, which works like modern all-wheel drive. It drives the front wheels in normal conditions and adds the rear wheels automatically when the front tires slip on snow or mud.

Did the 1997 CR-V Come With a Manual Transmission?

Not in Canada. NRCan's 1997 ratings list only the four-speed automatic for the CR-V. The five-speed manual appears in NRCan's 1998 ratings at 11.7 L/100 km combined, the same figure as that year's automatic.

What Is the Fuel Economy of a 1997 Honda CR-V 4x4?

NRCan rates the 1997 CR-V at 12.6 L/100 km city, 10.5 highway and 11.6 combined on its adjusted 5-cycle basis. The original 1997 label showed 10.1 combined. The adjusted figure is the better guide to real driving, and short trips in cold weather push consumption higher still.

How Much Horsepower Does the 1997 Honda CR-V Have?

Honda's U.S. specifications rate the 1997 CR-V's 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder at 126 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. For 1999, Honda raised output to 146 hp with a higher compression ratio and revised intake and exhaust manifolds. Torque stayed at 133 lb-ft.

Is the 1997 Honda CR-V Good in Snow?

It's good in snow on the right tires. Real Time 4WD helps you get moving from a stop, and the ground clearance handles most unplowed streets. Stopping still depends on the tires. In Transport Canada's 2010 tests on a minibus, switching from all-seasons on the front axle to winter tires on every wheel cut braking distance by up to nine metres.

1997 Honda CR-V AWD Guide: Winter Performance, Fuel Economy and Ownership Costs

AutoScout24

2026-10-21 · 7 min read

1997 Honda CR-V AWD Guide: Winter Performance, Fuel Economy and Ownership Costs

Nearly 30 years on, condition matters far more than the badge.

The 1997 Honda CR-V 4x4 is a car-based compact SUV with Honda's Real Time 4WD, which drives the front wheels until they slip and then sends power to the rear. On winter tires, it's a capable snow commuter. It's thirsty by modern standards, at 11.6 L/100 km combined on NRCan's adjusted rating.

Key Takeaways

NRCan lists one 1997 CR-V for Canada, with a four-speed automatic; the five-speed manual first appears in its 1998 ratings.
NRCan rates the 1997 CR-V at 12.6 L/100 km city and 10.5 highway, or 11.6 combined, on its adjusted 5-cycle basis.
At 20,000 km a year and Statistics Canada's August 2026 average of 173.8 cents a litre, fuel alone costs about $4,030.
Transport Canada lists two recalls for the 1997 CR-V: a worn ignition switch that can stall the engine and a driver airbag inflator that can rupture.
Quebec requires winter tires from Dec. 1 to March 15, and all-wheel drive doesn't change that.
Rust, service records and recall paperwork decide whether a used 1997 Honda CR-V is a bargain or a parts car.

Is the 1997 Honda CR-V a Real 4x4? How Real Time 4WD Works

Short answer: it's all-wheel drive, not a truck-style 4x4. Honda built the first-generation CR-V on car-like unibody construction, and its Real Time 4WD needs no lever or button.

So why does everyone call it a 4x4? Honda did. The system wore four-wheel-drive branding, yet it behaves like a modern crossover's AWD.

Here's how AWD, 4WD and 4x4 differ if you want the full vocabulary.

Front-Wheel Drive Until the Front Tires Slip

According to Honda's CR-V timeline, Real Time 4WD runs in front-wheel drive under normal conditions. Once the front tires start slipping on snow or mud, it automatically sends power to the rear wheels as well.

That saves fuel on dry pavement. The catch? The rear axle helps only after the front tires lose traction. Pull away on ice, and you'll feel it: a brief pause, then a push.

Suspension, Automatic Transmission and Off-Road Limits

Honda's materials describe unibody construction with four-wheel independent suspension, and say the CR-V was the only SUV of its day with four-wheel double wishbone suspension. The handling is car-like. Few small SUVs of the 1990s could say that.

In Canada, NRCan's 1997 listing shows a single powertrain: the 2.0-litre four-cylinder with a four-speed automatic transmission. Honda described the original as adventure-ready, pointing to its ground clearance and Real Time 4WD. There's no low-range gearbox, though. Think snowy side streets and gravel cottage roads, not rock trails.

Treat the 1997 CR-V as an all-weather car with extra clearance, not an off-road rig.

Winter Driving and Fuel Economy in a First-Generation CR-V

Winter is where this SUV earns its keep, and fuel is where it costs you. In deep cold, an engine this old also wants a working block heater, a healthy battery and fresh oil. Cold is hard on old hoses and seals too, so look for leaks after harsh winters.

Winter Tires Matter More Than All-Wheel Drive

All-wheel drive sends engine power to the wheels. Braking doesn't use engine power, so AWD can't help you stop. Tires do. In Transport Canada's 2010 winter tire testing, a 21-passenger minibus tested in snow needed up to nine metres less braking distance with winter tires on every wheel than with all-seasons on the front axle. The department recommends tires with the mountain snowflake symbol on all wheel positions.

In Quebec, it's the law. The SAAQ's winter preparation rules require winter tires on vehicles registered in Quebec from Dec. 1 to March 15 inclusive, with fines of $200 to $300 plus costs.

Our guide to all-season, all-weather and winter tires explains the difference in the rubber.

NRCan Fuel Consumption Ratings vs the Toyota RAV4 4x4

NRCan publishes ratings back to 1995 in its fuel consumption ratings dataset, in two versions: the original label and figures adjusted to today's 5-cycle method. The adjusted ones are closer to real driving.

Model (NRCan listing)	Transmission	City (L/100 km)	Highway (L/100 km)	Combined (L/100 km)
1997 Honda CR-V	Four-speed automatic	12.6	10.5	11.6
1998 Honda CR-V	Five-speed manual	12.7	10.5	11.7
1997 Toyota RAV4 4x4	Four-speed automatic	12.6	10.3	11.5
1997 Toyota RAV4 4x4	Five-speed manual	12.3	10.2	11.4

The Toyota RAV4 4x4 automatic is the closest 1997 rival. At 11.5 L/100 km combined, it uses about one per cent less fuel than the CR-V. For comparison with today's version, see our 2022 Toyota RAV4 review. The original 1997 CR-V label read 10.1 combined, so expect the adjusted figure, or worse on short winter trips.

Find a Winter-Ready Used SUV With All-Wheel Drive

Shopping for a used compact SUV with AWD? Filter listings by drivetrain, model year and kilometres to see what's available near you.

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Ownership Costs and Buying Checks for a Used Honda CR-V AWD

Fuel consumption, fuel cost, running costs and total cost of ownership are four different numbers. On a car this old, only the first two can be calculated. The rest depends on how the previous owners treated it.

Fuel Cost and Maintenance Records

Statistics Canada put the national average for regular gas at 173.8 cents a litre in August 2026. At NRCan's 11.6 L/100 km combined rating, 15,000 km a year works out to about 1,740 L, or roughly $3,020. At 20,000 km, it's about 2,320 L, or $4,030. That's fuel only; insurance and repairs vary by province and driver.

Maintenance decides whether this CR-V lasts. Ask for receipts covering oil changes, coolant, transmission fluid and every other item in Honda's maintenance schedule including any timing belt and rear-differential fluid intervals. A thick folder of service records adds real value.

Recalls, Rust and Vehicle History

Transport Canada's recall database lists two recalls on the 1997 CR-V. Recall 2002-096 (May 24, 2002) replaces ignition switches whose worn contacts could stall the engine. Recall 2020-014 (Jan. 17, 2020) covers a driver airbag inflator that moisture can damage. Ask a Honda dealer to confirm by VIN that both were done.

Rust is the other big one. Road salt works from underneath, so check the wheel arches, rocker panels, rear hatch and floor for corrosion, and ask whether the vehicle had regular rust-proofing. A CARFAX Canada vehicle history report can flag accidents, a lien or a past in another province.

Test Drive and Inspection Before You Pay

Quebec's Office de la protection du consommateur puts it plainly: test drive a used vehicle for long enough, since a trip around the block isn't enough, and have it inspected by a mechanic you trust. See our high-mileage beater checklist and guide to buying a used AWD car. The short version:

Get the VIN and check both recalls with a Honda dealer.
Order a vehicle history report: CARFAX Canada or the SAAQ vehicle record in Quebec.
Put it on a hoist and look for rust on the undercarriage.
Drive it in the city and at highway speeds, well beyond a lap of the block.
Pay a mechanic you trust to inspect it before you hand over money.