A few mates around, some nice words but otherwise nothing special seems planned for the first born in Honda’s light recreational family.

ACHIEVEMENT of a milestone 30 years’ of Honda’s CR-V nameplate seems set to pass quietly - with no special edition and only a few dealerships marking the occasion.

Sharing credit with the Toyota RAV4 for having kicked off the compact crossover SUV segment - they both came out in Japan 1995, though CR-V reached New Zealand first (we were the introductory export market) - the ‘Comfortable Runabout Vehicle’ has gone on to be one of Honda’s most recognisable and best-selling models.

More than 15 million units have sold worldwide, with six generations produced.

Moreover, the first born of Honda’s recreational vehicle family spurred it into a breeding frenzy - the HR-V and ZR-V would not have existed had not CR-V shown the potential. Likewise, perhaps, Honda’s North America-pure Passport and Pilot that.

How many of those are in New Zealand? Honda NZ in it’s media share puts the count at ‘thousands’; but it’s surely a guesstimate.

Aside from it being a continually strong seller as a NZ-new product, CR-V - moreso in its earlier evolutions - has also been a top choice for those shopping the used import sector.

These days CR-V leads a quiet life, as it is just one of many choices in the sector it created, and that status seems to reflect in how Honda internationally and here is treating the birthday.

There’s no word of a special edition for any market and, here, Honda NZ says just “some” of its dealerships are set to get a party started.

It doesn’t say which they are but says those they do “will host local celebrations, showcasing the CR-V’s rich heritage and evolution, alongside special activities for customers.”

The first-generation CR-V made quite an impact in NZ.

The media launch highlighted how well the car positioned itself as weekend-ready choice for families.

One ingredient attracting plenty of comment was the removable picnic table integrated into the cargo floor, “giving users the freedom to pitch up for lunch any time, any place.” That convenience didn’t last long.

The launch event in NZ involved Honda asking invitees to take the car through an incredibly boggy wasteland adjacent to its headquarters in Wiri, Auckland.

The exercise seemed doomed to failure; the CR-V seemed way too light and dainty to succeed in conditions that would sorely test any of the day’s hardiest off-roaders. But it simply skimmed across the foul-smelling mud.

Today’s CR-V is a much larger vehicle than the original and featuring a lot more technology. It now avails in a seven-seat option, as well as retaining the original’s five seater layout, most versions powered by a petrol hybrid engine.

Honda NZ managing director Carolyn McMahon says the milestone is not just a celebration of the model’s global success, but also a testament to the strong relationship between Honda and New Zealand drivers.

“For 30 years, the CR-V has been a trusted companion for Kiwi families – from school runs to road trips.

“It represents Honda’s commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, and continues to evolve with the needs of our customers.

“We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and the loyal community of CR-V owners who have made it part of their lives.”