Honda of Westport

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Driving Impressions

Driving the Honda CR-V is pleasant. The CR-V's four-cylinder engine delivers competitive power, especially now that it's been fortified with higher compression, larger intake valves, lower-friction piston rings, and fuel injectors that deliver a finer spray. These and other refinements have boosted peak horsepower from last year's 166 at 5800 rpm to 180 at 6800. Peak torque remains virtually unchanged: the same 161 pounds-feet at a marginally higher 4400 rpm. But fuel economy is actually improved, if only slightly.

Sure, more power is available from V6 engines in other compact SUVs, such as that in the rocket-like Toyota RAV4, as well as from the turbocharged Mazda CX-7, but Honda CR-V performance is more than adequate. The V6s pay a price in fuel economy, but not as much as you might think: Against the 2WD CR-V's EPA-estimated 21/28 mpg, the V6-powered 2WD RAV4 manages 19/27.

Honda's five-speed automatic transmission is a good match for the CR-V four-cylinder engine. It's not best in class but well above average in smoothness of shifts, in controlling hunting for the right gear when climbing grades, and in holding a lower gear when helpful on downgrades.

Honda's Real Time 4WD is a car-style all-wheel-drive system, not a true off-highway truck-type four-wheel drive, as it incorporates no lockable transfer case or ultra-low, off-road gearing. We found it works seamlessly, invisibly allocating power to the tires slipping the least, although always favoring the front wheels by default. The optional Real Time 4WD is a great asset for driving in foul weather, snow and ice.

The Vehicle Stability Assist also helps drivers maintain control in emergency maneuvers or in bad weather. VSA, which comes standard, 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, the standard CR-V is prepared well for rain.

The CR-V handles well, with relatively little body lean in cornering. There's also relatively little 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. We found the steering a bit over-assisted for our taste. It seems like it could be backed off a notch or two, closer to that of the RAV4, which might improve directional stability and lessen the need for minor corrections in corners and long sweepers. The power assist makes steering into tight parking spots, however.

We found noise levels minimal. The EX-L version did the best job of insulating occupants from outside irritants. Sounds from under the hood, although low key, left no doubt the engine is a fairly big four-cylinder. Moderate wind whistle leaked into the cabin from the outside mirrors and around the A-pillars. Tire noise correlated with pavement type and conditions.

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