In a Nutshell: Swiss-Watch build quality and materials, quite versatile, but not as pleasant to drive as AWD Subaru competitors.

I had a chance a few days ago, while shopping with a neighbor for a small SUV, to check out a new CR-V. We looked at the base version, which I felt was the best bargain, though the more expensive EX and EX-L versions are not exactly a waste of money either. I didn't do a full, detailed, review on this vehicle because that was not the intent of the test-drive and inspection... I was more interested in checking it out for defects, vehicle condition and a general test-drive, but I will share my findings on it with you guys. I was strongly impressed with Honda's build quality and materials on this vehicle... it is one of the highest-ranking vehicles in Consumer Reports' reliability data base. However, with the higher center-of gravity, it is definitely not as car-like as the Subaru AWDs... driving it, I missed my Outback's superb combination of AWD, SUV-versatility, and car-like road manners.

So here, in a condensed form, is my take on it:

Model Reviewed: 2008 Honda CR-V LX 4WD

Base price: $21,900.

Major Options: None

Destination: $635

List Price as Reviewed: $22,635

Exterior Color: Nighthawk Black Pearl

Interior: Ivory Cloth

Drivetrain: AWD, Transverse-mounted 2.4L in-line 4, 166 HP @ 5800 RPM, Torque 161 ft-lbs. @ 4200 RPM,
5-Speed automatic, no Sport-Shift function.


PLUSSES:

Honda quality through and through.

LX version a bargain starting at 22K.

4-cylinder engine and automatic has V6 smoothness.

AWD system more complex than Subarus but has comparable durability and reliability.

Superb exterior materials and trim quality.

Superb interior materials and trim quality.

Super-slick-feeling, solid-operating outside mirrors.

Excellent headroom and legroom front and rear.

All gauges, buttons, and controls clear and well-marked.

Nice stereo.

Base steering wheel much more comfortable than more expensive, leather-stitched versions.

Slick paint job, and subdued but nice paint colors.

Underhood engine compartment reasonably well-laid out without unnecessary bulky items or covers.

Solid-closing doors.

Good cargo room with rear seats down.

New flip-up tailgate a major improvement over old, right-hinged rear door.

Comfortable but not particularly supportive seats.

New Honda 5/60 and 3/36 warranties an improvement over previous years.

Extremely tight tolerances in assembly; everything fits perfectly.


MINUSES:

No optional engines or manual transmission offered.

Automatic shift lever does not have a manual shift-gate.

Center of gravity too high for optimum ride/handling combination.

Ride a little choppy for my tastes, with typical SUV porpoising, but is helped by tall-profile, 65-series tires.

Moderate body lean in corners.

Discounts and incentives not widespread.

Dull-looking, stamped-steel wheels on base version.

Split-Rear seats fold down but lack remote latches.

Limited rear visibility from rear side windows and D-Pillar.

Noticeable wind noise at speed.

Awkward, Volvo-wagon-like taillights.

AWD weight/drag bogs the engine down on acceleration.

Slightly spongy brakes.



Condensed Summary:

Exterior:

Sits higher off the ground than regular sedans and has good ground clearance for mud and snow. Very impressive exterior workmanship, materials, paint, and trim quality. Somewhat tall, awkward-looking (IMO) taillights. Stamped-steel wheels look cheap (the only thing on the vehicle that does). Good-quality cladding all around protects lower-body from damage. Sweep in rear-side windows and D-Pillar impedes visibility. Underhood compartment well-laid out and relatively uncluttered.

Interior:

Attractive, black/beige two-tone trim. Workmanship and materials equally as impressive as the outside. Solid-closing doors. Clear, typical Honda/Acura blue-ring gauges. Controls all clearly marked, high-quality materials, and slick operation. Comfortable seats but not particularly supportive. Vinyl steering wheel, without the sharp, poorly-done stitching of the leather ones, is more comfortable to hold. Stereo well-done but not quite in Lexus territory. Good headroom and legroom front and rear.


Cargo Area:

Plenty of room with rear seats down.....OK with them up. Rear seats lack the remote, tail-mounted levers for fold-down some other SUV's have........you have to reach way in to unfold them. Reasonably well-finished, with high-quality carpet. Dummy full-size spare tire inside, under rear floor, instead of under the vehicle like some small SUV's. Top-hinged lift-gate a major improvement over the old right-hinged door, which was a carryover from the Japanese-market versions.

On the Road:

Conventional start-up ignition switch...no button. Smooth, quiet 4-cylinder.....virtually to V6 standards. Smooth, quiet 5-speed automatic transmission has slick-operating, high-quality shift lever but lacks a manual shift-gate common to many of today's automatics. Engine feels somewhat overworked on acceleration with the vehicle weight and drag of automatic/AWD, but power level is adequate for normal, sedate driving. Noticeable wind noise at cruise speeds. Tire/road noise less noticeable than other entry-level Hondas. Rather numb steering feel. High center of gravity gives moderate body lean, rather slow steering response, and a small amount of typical, small-SUV, fore/aft porpoising. Brakes OK but a little spongy. Ride a little choppy for my tastes but is helped a little by high-profile 65-series tires.

The Verdict?

Overall, an excellent competitor to the Toyota Rav4, Subaru Outback/Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford/Escape/Mercury Mariner, Chevrolet Equinox/Pontiac Torrent, Hyundai Tucson, and Suzuki Vitara. Overall build quality and materials surpass anything in its class, though Subarus come close. Highly recommended by me as an inexpensive, versatile, all-weather daily driver, but check out Subaru Forester and Outback first before buying.. you may prefer the Subaru's more car-like road manners.