Honda Does It Again

Author's Rating:

Pros: Reliability, handling, interior design and layout

Cons: Gas tank capacity, road noise

The Bottom Line: 
If you need a vehicle with a lot of utility, but don't want the high cost of running a V-6 or V-8 engine, this is the vehicle for you.

Author's Review
This is my fourth Honda, and I have to say I like this one the best. We were looking for a second car, and we decided to get a small SUV so that we have two cars with different capabilities. It came down to the CR-V and the RAV4.

Two factors led me to chose the CR-V. First, when I checked the Consumer Reports eight-year repair histories, the CR-V stood out even amongst other Hondas! Secondly, the CR-V received outstanding ratings in its most recent crash tests. My wife and I are about to start a family, so safety is a high priority for us.

We've had our CR-V for almost a month now, and we love it. The controls are well laid out and well thought out. For example, the buttons for the stereo system and the cruise control are right on the steering wheel. The dials for the heater and air conditioner are easy to reach and easy to read. I had no trouble adjusting to the controls of this car, unlike most of the cars I've rented over the past year.

The back door has a gas piston to make it easier to open. The rear seats are easy to fold down, and they fold down flat. There are also many hooks around the cargo area to hang plastic grocery bags, as well as D-rings all around the floor of the cargo area so you can tie down items. They also have a nice little shelf between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, which folds down to create more space. An additional 12-volt power outlet is in the cargo area. Finally, I can't forget to mention the famous folding table that comes standard with every CR-V.

As far as driving, we've already had a major snowstorm over here, and it passed with flying colors. We have a lot of steep hills in our area, and I've had no problem climbing them, even when they were covered with snow and ice. Under normal driving conditions, the car has good pickup and handles well. I wasn't sure how well I would be able to adjust to driving an SUV, but it hasn't been a problem at all.

My only complaint about this car is that the gas mileage hasn't been quite as good as I expected. Not that this car is a gas guzzler, it's just that it's not as fuel efficient as the sedans I have been driving. However, I live just outside New York City, and I commute in heavy traffic every morning.

In addition, there are more blind spots on this car than I am used to. I rely on my side view mirrors more than I did when I drove a regular sedan. The car also generates a lot of road noise, which has been a problem with every Honda I've ever had.

None of these complaints have diminished my love of this car. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a high-utility vehicle that isn't a gas guzzler. It's no surprise that this model sells out almost as soon as it arrives at the dealership!