2008 Honda CRV

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Summary

Compared with the previous-generation CR-V, there's slightly more room in the front seat and (in most dimensions) slightly less room in the rear. Buyers choose from three models: the basic LX, mid-range EX, or leather-upholstered EX-L, which can be fitted with an optional navigation system that incorporates a rearview video camera for safe and easy backing. All have four doors and seat five.

Full Review 2008

The EX-L now comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver's seat, and the same premium audio system that last year came only with the navigation system.

Real Time all-wheel drive is offered on all three models. The 2008 fuel economy figures from the U.S. government's EPA rate the front-wheel-drive CR-V at 20/27 miles per gallon City/Highway, and the all-wheel-drive version at 20/26 mpg.

Trims and Styling 2008 CRV

All Honda CR-V models come with a 166-hp four-cylinder engine and a a five-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, four-wheel drive is available for all models ($1200).

The CR-V LX ($20,700) comes with fabric upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control, powered outside mirrors that fold, power windows, power central locking, driver's-seat height adjustment, 60/40-split rear seatbacks that recline and fold, tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA stereo, trip computer/information center, a collapsible tray between the front seats, and 17-inch steel wheels with P225/65R17 tires 

The EX ($22,950) adds a tilt-and-slide power moonroof; intermittent rear window wiper/washer; steering wheel-mounted audio controls for a six-speaker stereo with an in-dash, six-CD changer; dual-deck cargo shelf; lights-and-horn security system; rear privacy glass; and an outside ambient temperature gauge.

The EX-L ($25,500) features leather-trimmed seats, armrests, shifter, and steering wheel; heated front seats; XM satellite radio with a 90-day trial subscription; and a front center console with storage for 24 CDs (replacing the collapsible tray). New for 2008 are dual-zone automatic climate control; eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support; and the same 270-watt, seven-speaker (including subwoofer) premium stereo that used to come only with the navigation system.

Safety features that come standard include the required three-point seatbelts at all five seating positions; child safety seat anchors (LATCH); front airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags (to minimize upper body injuries in side impacts); roof-mounted, front and rear seat side air curtains (to minimize head injuries in side impacts and rollovers); and front-seat active head restraints (to minimize neck injuries in rear impacts).

For crash avoidance there are antilock brakes (which let the driver steer during panic stops); electronic brake-force distribution (which optimizes braking power front-to-rear during emergency stops); brake assist (which senses impending emergency brake application and boosts pedal pressure); Vehicle Stability Assist (Honda's electronic stability control system that attempts to minimize skidding in turns); and tire pressure monitors (which warn of dangerous drops in tire pressure).

Head on, the Honda CR-V's low, jutting jaw-like front bumper suggests a rugged skid plate while pulling the vehicle's visual mass downwards, reducing its perceived height. Large, sharply angled headlight housings crowd the upper grille and bleed down into the lower air intake. The side aspect shows most clearly the latest CR-V's departure from the boxy, mini-SUV look. The rear view presents more of the classic SUV look, with a trapezoidal backlight bookended by the trademark CR-V high taillights and atop a fairly tall and relatively broad, high-relief tailgate panel. A repeat of the front end's skid plate look masks the rear bumper's mass and draws the eye to tires pushed out to the edges of the CR-V's side panels. 

Interior Styling and Features

The front seats of the latest model have slightly taller and marginally wider backs than their '06 counterparts, but are still short on thigh support. The rear seat is more moderately contoured, the better to allow it to fold and pivot forward against the backs of the front seats. The seat bottom breaks down 60/40, with the shorter piece on the left side; the seat backs, however, divide 40/20/40, into three sections, meaning you can fold the right or left side, the center section or any combination of the three. In the LX and EX, the space between the front seats that might otherwise host a console and floor-mounted shift lever is dedicated to a unique, multi-use tray that when not needed folds down against the side of the passenger seat, opening a walk-through access to the rear seat. The EX-L gets a more traditional, fixed center console, with cup holders and storage space for up to 24 CD's; although some of this storage space is lost on EX-L's with navigation, where the console must house the CD changer as well. Large, rotary knobs control the functions that vary by degrees.

First Drive 2008

The Honda CR-V's four-cylinder engine delivers competitive power. The V6s pay a price in fuel economy, but not as much as you might think: Against the 3430-pound, 2WD CR-V EX-L's EPA-estimated 20/27 mpg, a 3549-pound, V6-powered 2WD RAV4 manages 20/25. Four-wheel-drive versions of the CR-V and RAV4 V6 promise exactly the same 26 mpg Highway. 

The CR-V's five-speed automatic transmission is a good match for the engine. Honda's Real Time 4WD is actually a car-style all-wheel-drive system, not a true off-highway-truck four-wheel drive, as it incorporates no lockable transfer case or ultra-low, off-road gearing. The Vehicle Stability Assist includes traction control. Coupled with four-wheel disc brakes (vented in front and solid in the rear), ABS, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, VSA helps drivers maintain control in emergency maneuvers or in bad weather.

The CR-V handles well, with relatively little body lean in cornering. There's also relatively low head toss over rough and uneven pavement, helping to keep your passengers comfortable. Traversing aged railroad crossings at mildly elevated speeds produced no threatening sounds or gyrations. Noise levels were minimal. Tire noise correlated with pavement type and conditions.

2008 Conclusions Honda CRV

The Honda CR-V is probably the best vehicle in this class. "All-new in 2007, the CR-V remains a handy wee SUV with good driving manners and excellent build quality. It's less quirky than before, but the CR-V has remained true to its cheap-ute mission and hasn't gone up in weight and price as much as its old nemesis, the Toyota RAV4." says  Car and Driver It's interior is packaged the best, with seats that fold down to provide a completely flat cargo area. Normally we don't go out on a limb, but we have to say, you will love this SUV. If you need an all purpose vehicle with great mileage and a really nice interior, test drive one today!