2008 Honda CR-V

DescriptionThe CR-V remains the leader of the pack in the compact SUV segment, drivers will find in the CR-V a solid, reliable vehicle with a good mix of style, comfort, economy, and value. At a Glance Following a well-received redesign in 2007, the Honda CR-V changes little for 2008. Honda made a few updates to the CR-V's high-end trim, the EX-L, adding dual-zone climate control, an upgraded sound system, and an eight-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support to the standard equipment list. But the entry-level LX and mid-level EX trims carry over from the previous year largely unchanged. Overall, the '08 CR-V retains the sleek styling, flexible interior, and other award-winning features that made it the best-selling SUV in the U.S. last year. All CR-Vs are compact SUVs with seating for five in two rows. Drivers can choose from either front-wheel- or four-wheel-drive versions. The 4WD system provides additional stability and traction on slippery roads, but drivers seeking a true off-road vehicle should look elsewhere. (The CR-V's ground clearance, for instance, was lowered about an inch as part of its 2007 redesign.) Around town, however, the CR-V excels, according to numerous drivers and reviewers. U.S. News and World Report ranked the 2008 Honda CR-V number 1 out of a field of 27 affordable compact SUVs, attesting to its high-end design, quality, and performance. In addition, the previous year's version of the CR-V received many awards, including Motor Week's "Driver's Choice" for Best Small Utility and IntelliChoice's "Motorist Choice Award" for a Mid-Size Crossover SUV. All of the attributes that resulted in those awards reside in the '08 version as well. Read More