2009 Honda CR-V
- 2008 Honda CR-V
- Used Honda CR-V
Based on analysis of 73 CR-V reviews and test drives.
Honda CR-V - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Honda CR-V ranks 1 out of 23 Affordable Compact SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 73 published reviews and test drives of the Honda CR-V, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Honda CR-V, a longtime award winner, is appreciated for providing a safe driving experience with ample storage space -- now packaged in a sleeker design.
Redesigned in 2007, the Honda CR-V remains unchanged for 2009. "This is an excellent vehicle and a great value -- possibly the best compact SUV on the market today," says About.com. The 2007 CR-V was named Motor Week's "Driver's Choice" for Best Small Utility and received IntelliChoice's "Motorist Choice Award" for Mid-Size Crossover SUV. The CR-V is often compared to the similar Toyota RAV4. The Toyota's advantages are its optional third-row seat and more powerful V6 engine -- both rare features within their class.
Surprisingly, the CR-V's middle-of-the-pack gas mileage doesn't seem to have slowed sales, even when gas prices hit record highs in the summer of 2008. In fact, Honda's smallest SUV was one of the top ten best-selling vehicles of 2008. Be sure to check for current Honda Deals that may be available on a new CR-V.
The 2009 Honda CR-V comes in several trims -- the base LX, mid-level EX and luxurious EX-L -- in either front- or all-wheel drive.
- "Look past the conservative exterior styling and you'll find the best-designed small SUV in this price range when it comes to interior aesthetics and day-to-day practicality. Build and materials quality leads the class." -- Edmunds
- "It's not the most powerful compact SUV, but CR-V excels for its 'just right' blend of comfort, refinement, and cargo versatility." -- Consumer Guide
- "The CR-V placed second behind the excellent RAV4 in our most recent comparison test of cute utes-which included a whopping nine vehicles-in a virtual dead heat that saw only the Nissan Rogue anywhere close to the two leaders." -- Car and Driver
- "This little sport/utility vehicle-crossover thing won't do much for your enthusiast creds, but as agreeable, practical all-purpose transportation, it's hard to beat." -- AutoWeek
- "The 2009 Honda CR-V EX-L's small size and Civic-like handling make it a great choice for city dwellers who occasionally need to haul things--or people. While the cabin tech is impressive, a few more features, such as Bluetooth or iPod connectivity, would make it a home run." -- CNET
CR-V Performance - 8.4 (Very Good)
The 2009 Honda CR-V provides a competent and comfortable ride, but test drivers are disappointed in the four-cylinder engine's power. "Although no one is going to call the CR-V fun to drive, it does handle predictably and is nicely responsive, with accurate steering and a serene ride," says Car and Driver. "The CR-V is the ultimate suburban runabout." continue
CR-V Exterior - 7.6 (Good)
The Honda CR-V has never been groundbreaking in the style department. Some reviewers aren't so fond of the SUV's front end. Motor Trend calls the CR-V's styling "turbulent," adding, "And that underbite grin -- doesn't Honda have dental benefits?" continue
CR-V Interior - 8.4 (Very Good)
Praise is high for the 2009 Honda CR-V's interior feel and features -- even despite the fact that it doesn't offer an optional third-row seat like its main competitor, the Toyota RAV4. "Perhaps the best attribute of the CR-V is its attractive yet practical cabin design." says Edmunds. "Honda's designers sweated every detail." The CR-V even comes with a unique feature that allows the driver to easily watch the kids in the back seat. continue
CR-V Safety - 9.9 (Excellent)
The 2009 Honda CR-V does extremely well in federal government crash tests. Additionally, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety names it a "Top Safety Pick" for its "Good" scores in frontal and side impact crash tests and its standard electronic stability control. The Detroit News finds the SUV's safety equipment "mighty impressive on a vehicle in this price class." continue
CR-V Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2009 Honda CR-V reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2009 Honda CR-V comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. continue
