Back in December 2001 I drove the newly introduced second-generation CR-V. I liked it a great deal, and posted a very positive review here. Since then I have driven and reviewed many other compact SUVs, at times comparing them unfavorably to the CR-V.

After driving the newest of these, the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, I began to wonder if my memory of the CR-V remained accurate. Not only had four years elapsed, but the compact SUV segment had come into its own in this period. My reference point now is much different than it was four years ago. Put simply, I had lower expectations of a compact SUV then. To learn whether the CR-V was still the one to beat, I took a 2005 EX for a test drive.

Styling

Even in 2001 I did not care for the second-generation CR-V's styling. The first-generation vehicle had a more polished design, with smoother transitions at the corners. While the current styling does lend the CR-V a more rugged appearance, a Ford Escape looks much more rugged still. Neither pretty nor tough-looking, the current CR-V simply looks uninspired.

By the way, your eyes do deceive you. I can't explain it, but the CR-V looks considerably smaller than it is. Take a tape measure to it, and you'll find it is significantly longer than most competitors. The new Koreans are nearly a foot shorter. Only the Chevrolet Equinox--which also looks smaller than it is--is significantly larger.

Four years ago I likened the CR-V's interior to those in pre-Lexus Mercedes. Not at all luxurious, but with a reassuring solidity and functionality. The interior in the Ford Escape felt cheap in comparison.

I wasn't nearly as impressed with the CR-V's interior this time around. Not that it looked or felt cheap. Just boring. Competitors have been making major advances in interior design the last few years, and the CR-V has been left behind. It probably didn't help that the 2005's interior was beige. The 2001's was black, which tends to make non-lux interiors look and feel more solid and upscale. Color aside, the Kia Sportage's interior has a more upscale and contemporary ambiance. When the CR-V is next redesigned, I suspect for 2007, I have no doubt it will receive a vastly upgraded interior.

Accommodations

Four years ago I was impressed by the amount of room inside the CR-V, and especially by the generous legroom and good thigh support in the rear seat. These strengths continue. With a completely flat floor, moderately firm cushion, and reclinable backrest the CR-V's rear seat might even remain best-in-class. But I'm less impressed this time around because most competitors have adopted similar packaging for their own compact SUVs. In general, compact SUVs are roomier than the "compact" designation suggests.

Front seat comfort is also very good. The driving position is high, with expansive windows providing excellent visibility in all directions. And yet the driving position has grown a bit dated. The driver's relationship to the steering wheel feels more buslike than in newer competitors. To some this might lend the CR-V more of an SUV flavor, but I prefer the more car-like driving position in the Korean twins and Chevrolet Equinox.

Courtesy of the CR-V's length, cargo room remains unexpectedly good for a "compact." The rear seats fold flat in two steps. Be aware that an externally-mounted spare also contributes to the CR-V's cargo volume. Best be careful when backing this Honda up, lest you make contact and thrust said spare through the tailgate.

On the Road

As before, powertrain performance struck me as adequate, nothing more, nothing less. In tests the 160-horsepower 2.4-liter four accelerates at least as quickly as many V6-powered competitors. However, these tests are typically conducted with the five-speed manual very few people buy. Also, this engine requires revs to move the CR-V quickly. Its midrange can't match that of a V6. So in normal driving (i.e. shifts south of 4,000 RPM) it doesn't feel as strong as the V6-powered competition despite the advantage of a fifth ratio in the slushbox. It will be interesting to see whether Honda makes a V6 available in the third-generation model. The company's efficiency-obsessed culture favors fours, but I have no doubt that many consumers would prefer a six.

The CR-V's all-wheel-drive system is designed to provide extra traction on slick roads, not for dry road handling or off-road excursions. Normally all power is routed to the front wheels. But when these slip, some power is automatically transferred to the rear wheels.

I was most let down by the CR-V's chassis. Neither its handling nor its ride quality are as good as I remember. Neither is bad, especially not for an SUV, but the Kia Sportage in particular is better. In comparison, the Honda's handling feels a bit tippy and its ride a bit busy and noisy. The necessarily high center of gravity is much more evident in the Honda. It simply feels like a cheaper, cruder vehicle, even though it's more expensive. The steering remains among the best in this class, with good weighting and accuracy, but this cannot compensate for the chassis' less than class-leading composure. All in all, there's not much driving excitement to be found here. As with the interior, I expect a much better suspension in the third-generation CR-V.

Honda CR-V Price Comparisons and Pricing

For quick, up-to-date pricing, and especially user-specified price comparisons, check out the website I created: www.truedelta.com. Why yet another vehicle pricing website? Well, I personally lacked the patience to keep using the others. They were too slow and required too much effort, especially when trying to compare prices. So I taught myself some programming and created a site where there is no need to dig through option packages, prerequisites, and the like one by one -- the TrueDelta algorithm figures these out for you in one swift pass.

For example, comparing loaded versions of the CR-V and Kia Sportage (with a V6), the latter lists for $2,500 less and adjusting for features widens the gap to $3,900. Interestingly, the gap is a few hundred tighter comparing minimally equipped base models, where the Kia has two fewer cylinders.

Last Words

It had been over four years since I last drove the CR-V, so perhaps I was bound to be somewhat disappointed. Last time around there weren't many competitors, and so the CR-V's solid build quality, roominess, and refinement impressed. Four years latter, many competitors have caught up with and even passed the Honda. As a result, the CR-V no longer feels as solid, roadworthy, and refined as it did. It's still a good vehicle, especially for those who ascribe a lot of value to the Honda brand. But if you want a compact Honda SUV that is also best-in-class, you'd better wait for the third-generation CR-V, which I'd expect to see as a 2007 model in the summer or fall of 2006.

For now, my favorite compact SUVs are the Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester. The former is more functional, the latter more solid and fun to drive.

A Note on 2005 Honda CR-V Reliability

I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I've started collecting my own data. Results, once they are available, will be posted to my site, www.truedelta.com, with updates every three months.

Unlike other sources, TrueDelta will clearly identify what difference it will make if you buy a CR-V rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" and "days in the shop" stats (among others). You will be able to specify the number of years, annual miles, and types of repairs to include in Honda CR-V reliability comparisons.

Before I can report results, I need data on all cars--not just the CR-V--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive free access to the site's reliability information. Non-participants will have to pay an access fee.

For the details, and to sign up, visit www.truedelta.com.

A link to this website and alphabetized links to my other vehicle reviews can be found on my profile page.

Some of my reviews of related vehicles:
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V (2002)
Honda Element
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sorento
Kia Sportage
Mitsubishi Outlander
Saturn VUE
Subaru Forester

Amount Paid (US$): 22000
Model Year: 2005
Model and Options: EX AWD automatic