2008 Honda CR-V review
December 14, 2007 by Matt Brogan
Reputation accounts for a great deal in the minds of the consumer, but in these fickle times of mass production and smooth marketing, reputation does not necessarily ensure the succeeding model is as good as the one it replaces. After all some manufacturers have a habit of resting on their laurels. So just how does the new CR-V stack up to the gauntlet of this reviewer’s cynicism?
The third generation CR-V adheres closely to the recipe that has so successfully secured Honda’s authoritative hold over the market share of this hotly contended category. It’s well built, has tight tolerances and uses quality materials and production methods to ensure you’re getting value from every last cent of your purchase.
I crawled over this car, determined to find something awry with the now Thai built vehicle. But after a week of looking, driving, poking and prodding my search went unfulfilled.
Now I know, it’s not perfect, after all it’s built for a price. But when you consider the overall value therein and the quality of the package as a whole when compared to that of its competitors, it’s pretty hard to beat. I’d even go as far as to say it sets the benchmark for which all other contenders should be measured.
For my review I was fortunate enough to have the top of the line CR-V Luxury model. Boasting a veritable plethora of standard features, Luxury sits atop the line up with the Sport and Base models respectively at its feet.
After working in the Sahara in Libya I am a died-in-the-wool Landcruiser fan. The only 4wd of it’s size range to return constantly good behaviour in all types of desert.
I’m now looking at a mid-size but nobody is talking about the ‘real’ raison detre for a 4wd – how does it perform offroad? I live in WA and sand is a major part of going offroad here – especially when surfing north of Perth.
Any thoughts on how it rates offroad?
I love the new design and don’t think it’s ugly at all. I can’t wait to get mine in Jan.
I can’t answer David’s request re off roadability; but having sold my Landcruiser Sahara 100 series this month and bought a CRV Luxury I can give him some thoughts about comparing both vehicles.
Little surpasses the smooothness of the Toyota V8 and gearbox, but the not yet run in CRV performs seamlessly in the city and appears to be pretty swift, though not startling.
It feels light and airy and space wise it has loads of room, in fact better than the cruiser for second row passangers. Plenty of capacity in the load compartment too, though not matching the albeit huge cruiser.
Ergonomics are excellant everything comes to hand and has a quality feel. Seats are great, very supportive and with a wide range of adjustment.
For a city dweller, like me, the big advantage is parking, agility and fuel consumption. Honda quality is also second to none, including the luxury Sahara; panel and plastics fit are very high quality.
Cruisers,even 200 series have many good features, but it is now yesterday’s vehicle for city drivers anyway and the CRV feels like it will be at home on the beach and not too far off the road.
To BoggedAgain. Please don’t make stuff up. Roads in Australia have a natural camber to allow the water to run off. If you are driving to the left, then your car will follow the camber and drift left. It has nothing to do with “drift” being built into the car.
Thanks for the thoughts. Have ended up with a Suzuky Grand Vitara turbo diesel – great reviews on & off road & 7l/100k’s – pick it up in a couple of weeks.
have one almost a year now, but the suspension is not as good as expected.
lol at Curt “I just got one and the front is ugly”!!! Good one Curt!
I would rather buy a decent looking car/4WD instead of this ugly one, even if its got less features/quality or buy the previous model which looked allright…
That gave me a laugh, Maneesh. I wonder if he realises the sides are crook, too.
And, as for those who bought the previous model Camry…have ANY of them woken up, yet?