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Manual and automatic transmissions are available with the electronically-managed automatic transmission being an all-new design. This features a lock-up torque converter and Grade Logic Control, the latter being reducing the gear ‘hunting’ on slopes. Using Honda’s Active Lock Up II system, the lock-up clutch has a linear solenoid “active lock-up” system that improves the overall efficiency of the system and, as a result, fuel economy.

As before (and similar to the Ford Escape), the 4WD capability comes from a Honda ‘Real-Time’ system which primarily operates in front-wheel drive with power being progressively transmitted to the rear wheels if slippage of the front wheels is detected. Honda feels such a system is better as it overcomes the drawbacks of a full-time 4WD system (as found in the Toyota RAV4 and Land Rover Freelander) such as higher fuel consumption, higher noise and vibration levels, higher weight and also difficulty in adapting the system to ABS.

In some markets, Honda will also offer a two-wheel drive version which has been found to be no less popular. The 2WD version costs less and offers the virtually the same attributes except power to the rear wheels.

NEW SUSPENSION LAYOUT
A Toe Control Link MacPherson strut front suspension and a reactive link double wishbone rear suspension are used. This combination of components allows more interior space and gives both linearity in handling and stability at high speeds that is equivalent or even superior to the previous generation’s double-wishbone arrangement. The action offered by the reactive link enhances stability under cornering and braking. Under harder braking, the reactive link forces the suspension into an appropriate toe-in characteristic.

The brake system has discs on all wheels with ABS as standard. The system is a 4-sensor, 3-channel system with a speed sensor located at each wheel. There is a separate channel for each front wheel and the rear wheels share a common third channel. This is a “select-low” system, meaning the system controls both rear-wheel slave cylinders together when it senses the onset of wheel lockup in either wheel.

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