The third generation Honda CR-V was launched in 2006 for the 2007 model year. It went on sale in the U.S. during late September 2006. Unlike preceding models, it features a rear liftgate rather than a side-opening rear door and no longer has the spare tire mounted on the rear door. The new CR-V is lower, wider and shorter than the previous models; the length decrease is attributed mostly to the fact that the spare wheel no longer adds length to the back of the vehicle. A lowering of the centre of gravity is another benefit of the spare wheel being located underneath the rear cargo area. The centre rear seat pass-through was also introduced as a new feature on the third generation.