2006 Honda CR-V Review
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By Tom Lankard

Overview

The Honda CR-V is roomy, convenient and easy to drive. You can put lots of stuff in it and the back seats are quite comfortable. It rides smoothly, more so than most SUVs. It's surprisingly maneuverable in tight quarters and handles well on winding roads yet it's stable at freeway speeds, even in stiff crosswinds.

The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4 were the first of the cute-utes, small vehicles based on cars that delivered the cargo versatility of a sport utility, an upright seating position, and all-wheel drive.

The CR-V shares its basic structure with the Honda Civic, giving it the ride quality and handling of a car. Besides being less expensive, the CR-V is smaller and more maneuverable than a full-sized SUV. Most important, it doesn't look like a minivan.

The CR-V isn't much good off-road, but it's available with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the latter giving it good winter weather capability.

This second-generation CR-V was launched as a 2002 model and the styling was revised for 2005. For 2006, the CR-V carries over with virtually no changes except for two new paint colors.

Model Lineup

The 2006 Honda CR-V comes with a four-cylinder engine and a choice of front-wheel drive (2WD) and all-wheel drive (4WD) Three trim levels are available, LX, EX, SE.

The LX 2WD ($20,395) and LX 4WD ($21,595) comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning with micron filtration, AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo, cruise control, an adjustable steering column, power mirrors, power windows, front and rear power outlets and a removable folding picnic table. LX also comes standard with integrated keyless entry and 16-inch steel wheels. Aluminum alloy wheels are available as a dealer-installed accessory.

The EX comes only with 4WD, but offers a choice of five-speed manual ($22,850) or five-speed automatic ($23,750). EX trim adds a premium stereo with CD changer, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, rear privacy glass, aluminum wheels, a power moonroof, outside temperature gauge.

The SE ($25,450) comes standard with four-wheel drive and the five-speed automatic. The SE interior is upgraded with heated leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Exterior additions include body-colored door mirrors, bumpers, side molding, door handles and spare wheel cover.

Safety features that come standard on all CR-Vs include frontal and side-impact air bags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control (an electronic stability control system).