2008 Honda CR-V - crossover packaging at its best

By Jim Meachen, Special to Motorway

Article Launched: 05/03/2008 05:46:43 PM PDT

Sometimes a special feature that might have been overlooked by a automotive reviewer, even after two turns in a vehicle, comes to the forefront the third time around. A small item suddenly becomes important.

That's what happened with the Honda CR-V, the very popular small crossover vehicle redesigned for the 2007 model year, when we drove the 2008 several months ago.

What we hadn't paid much attention to in the first two go-rounds, once in the summer of 2006 and again in the spring of 2007, was the sturdy cargo shelf that can be mounted behind the third-row seats. The CR-V is not the only vehicle that comes with this storage aid, but it was the 2008 CR-V's hinged shelf that was our star of the show for one afternoon.

We remember some Honda PR person noting nearly two years ago that you could, for instance, carry flats of flowers on the top and store your groceries underneath. What the Honda guy probably had never thought about were gifts. Birthday, wedding, Christmas - you get the idea.

In our house when you transport wrapped gifts they cannot be stacked like boxes. When they're ready for delivery they are adorned with bows and ribbons and a multitude of other decorations. Heaven forbid that one box be placed on top of another. It just isn't done.

So while your vehicle storage space is limited to the width and length of the cargo hold relegating even a big sport utility to second-class size, Honda's cargo shelf, which will safely hold up to 20 pounds, allows the storage of twice as much stuff in the rear third of the vehicle.

Is a cargo shelf going to sell us a CR-V? No, we demand a bit more than a little additional useable utility in our vehicles. And that's the beauty of the CR-V. It not only offers these neat little features, but a near-perfect package of overall refinement, styling, quality fit and finish, gas mileage and comfort.

Sales in 2007 point up the CR-V's winning personality. Nearly 220,000 copies were sold, about 50,000 more than the previous yearly high in 2006. It was by far the biggest sales year since the vehicle's inception in 1997. We could say Honda has hit a bases-loaded home run with its newest CR-V.

This sales success comes despite what we consider borderline acceptable performance from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V completes a 0-to-60 run in 9.5 seconds, certainly acceptable, but it's in merging and passing where you wish for more get up and go.

A few years ago the Honda's performance would have been mid-pack, but competitors have been steadily upping the horsepower ante pushing the CR-V towards the back of the pack.

The trade off is excellent gas mileage - obviously very important to buyers based on nearly a quarter million sales - of 20 mpg city and 27 highway with front-wheel drive and 20/26 with all-wheel.

Another criticism leveled at the CR-V is its lack of a third-row seat. We get weary of the third-row seat criticism that seems to be leveled at every SUV and crossover regardless of size. Hey, guys, some vehicles are just too small to accommodate three rows. Get over it.

If you want a Honda and you want three rows, buy a Pilot. Likewise, if you want rock-climbing off-road ability go across the street to the Nissan store and purchase an Xterra.

The CR-V is not an off-road vehicle. What it supplies is bad-weather peace of mind in a package that has earned one of the highest safety ratings including a perfect five stars for front and side crash protection from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Honda should be applauded for making all major safety features standard in all trim levels including antilock brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side-curtain airbags.

The best things about the CR-V over the years are its ease of use, its incredible drivability, its huge greenhouse that offers class-leading visibility, its quality materials and its impeccable fit and finish.

Nothing has changed except the CR-V has gained in refinement. Close your eyes and could this be an Acura? It's as quiet at 60 miles per hour as luxury cars used to be just a few years ago.

The interior is attractive and gauges and switchgear are generally intuitive. There are several handy storage spaces and cubbies.

The CR-V also supplies a large interior with spacious second-row seats that not only recline, but can be moved a few inches fore or aft for long-distance comfort. And that comfort does not come at the cost of a small cargo bay. Luggage capacity is an ample 35.7 cubic feet, and with the rear seatbacks folded increases to 73 cubic feet.

By comparison, the new Toyota RAV4 - now three inches longer than the Honda - has nearly identical passenger room both front and back and the same cargo capacity as the CR-V. Both vehicles have more rear legroom and cargo capacity than the freshened 2008 Ford Escape.

Honda products generally are not cheap, but the CR-V can be purchased for an affordable price with a fair amount of equipment, or it can be loaded up with many of the high cost goodies found on luxury SUVs including DVD navigation and backup camera.

The CR-V comes in three trim levels - LX, EX and EX-L - starting at $21,335 including destination charge for a front-drive model. All-wheel drive can be added for about $1,200 in all trim levels. A good selection of standard equipment comes in the base vehicle including power windows and locks, cruise control, audio system with CD player and MP3 jack, 17-inch steel wheels and air conditioning.

Move to the top trim level EX-L and the wonderful Honda/Acura navigation system with backup camera is available.

Other goodies on our top line all-wheel drive EX-L test car included leather seating, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel audio controls, a power sunroof and 17-inch alloy wheels. Our test car with destination charges totaled $29,035.

The CR-V is an exceptional compact people and cargo hauler with excellent gas mileage; granted, we wish for a bit more horsepower.

Perhaps we can persuade Honda to deliver the 2009 version complete with some extra power and the very convenient package shelf with some extra weight capacity. In any case it's first class.

DATA BOX 2008 Honda CR-V

Essentials

Base price, $21,335; as driven, $29,035

Engine: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder

Horsepower: 166 @ 5,800 rpm

Torque: 161 foot-pounds @ 4,200 rpm

Transmission: 5-speed automatic

Drive: all-wheel drive

Seating: 2/3

Wheelbase: 103.1 inches

Length: 177.9 inches

Curb weight: 3,549 pounds