Great styling, roomy, flexible cargo features (folding seats, split rear door), good value, lots of cup holders, AWD (no need to engage hubs).

Road noise (tires and engine), seats uncomfortable on long trips, odd placement for window controls, needs a bit more horsepower.

All in all the CR-V has been what I have expected out of it. It is an extremely flexible vehicle. Mine does duty as a commuter car, weekend hauler and people mover. It does all of these well. I probably didn't need to get the EX, but being a former Audi owner I had to get AWD. I would say the lack of horsepower (they need to put in the 4 cylinder that is in the Accord) and road noise are the two biggest weaknesses. The seats need some work too. My back gets sore after more than an hour in the seat, so a long trip needs to have a lot of breaks to stretch. They could also tilt the steering wheel a little more toward the driver, the angle feels odd, but you can get used to it. Handling is about what I have expected. It drives more like a Civic than a truck. I chose the CR-V over the RAV4 and Forrester for several reasons. It had more room than the 99 RAV4 and better looks. The Forrester looks too much like a station wagon. The fit and finsh was better than these two also, typical Honda quality throughout.

All in all I would highly recommend the CR-V if you are looking for a mini-Ute. It is the best of the pack.

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Room, room, room

POWER! What power? Ok, my wife bought it, she's ever so happy with it. Since we live in Dubai, of course a 4wd comes in handy. Although it is not meant for dune bashing, the salesman told us it's ok to drive it on the beach. So far, I got stuck in the sand twice! It just hasn't got enough power for offroad. The 1st time, my neighbour had to pull me with his PAjero. It's ok on the beach if you don't go too far and too deep, otherwise, good luck!

Overall Ok I guess, quite a nice car to drive, perfect for ladies in town, LOADs of room, even the dogs love it! Not really meant for offroad. The picnic table is just fantastic! MAybe that's why we bought it!

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Roominess, quality, ride, and cargo space are very good. The engine is very reliable I have yet to have any problems with it. Smooth 5 speed manual transmission. Good gas mileage. Great vision all around. Head room.

The power from this vehicle isn't the best. The four cylinder has poor acceleration and when carrying four adults it has to work hard.

Other than the poor acceleration, this vehicle is very good. I have had it since May 2000 and haven't had any problems whatsoever with it. I have also owned a 1990 Honda Civic Si, so I know the reliability of a Honda. I also own a 1996 Toyota 4Runner V6 and other than the power difference, it is very comparable. The storage, head, and leg room in this vehicle compared to the Toyota Rav4 and the Chevy Tracker is great. I stuffed a love seat sofa in the back of this thing (with the back seats down) and could even close the rear door and glass!!! Could use a V6 but it's a small sport utility built for economy, which is what it gives with good gas mileage. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone with a small family or an everyday commuter.

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96 Toyota 4-Runner

Lots of head room, comfortable, lots of leg room even in the back seats. You can find cup holders everywhere!

Could use more horsepower, bigger engine (6 cylinders)

I would recommend the Honda CRV to anyone interested in an SUV with the looks and the comfort. But I would not recommend it if you are buying an SUV for performance. It's a good SUV for a family of 4, because it fits that many people comfortably. I like the white CRV the best, it looks really sharp.

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I'd say its the best looking SUV out there, cept for the Mercedes, but cost wise definately the best.

1)Car like smoothness and handling.
2)Comfortable seats and spacious interiors.
3)good on gas :) mine is giving avg of 24miles/gl

1)Noisy at high speeds
2)Passenger armrest missing
3)Position of cruise control and power windows is awkward.

It is a good CAR with look and feel of a SUV

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RAV4 is too small, though looks r good but it lacks power.
Outback sport has dull interiors and cheap finishing.

Great value for the money. Very comfortable. Always seems to be 'big enough'. Likes forest roads but haven't pushed it on anything tougher. Rides awesome on the highway, smooooooooooth. Reliable as any Honda. Great gas mileage, 23-25 mpg. Happy that the tailgate window opens.

Power. My 1997 is has a few less horsey's than the CR-V's that came out a year later. Stereo package is weak, so buy one outside of Honda. Can be loud, but I'll put up with noise to get up a hill.

Great value for the money. Always loved Honda and still do. Just wish they would come out with a bigger, V-6 SUV. Great mileage is nice with the high gas prices. Wish I could upgrade to have a few more horsepower, though.

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RAV-4, ick. Too small. Interior is like a car. 4-wheel drive all the time? Why the heck would you do that?

Comfortable, economical, attractive styling, quality fit and finish, superb craftsmanship. Great Honda reliability, and holds its value.

I dunno, none that really is worth mentioning

Nitpickers make me sick! What do I care if the stupid drink holders don't fit every size cup in the world? Or that the transmission supposedly hunts too much (it doesn't! You just don't know how to drive.) This car to me is a smash hit! I love it. It's just what I expected from those Honda engineers. I bought the automatic with the expectations of it being a little doggy, as some have said. Not so! I went on a road trip the week I bought it to Salt Lake City, Utah. Uphill grades last for miles and miles, at 6% and then some. That CR-V just hunkered down and took them in stride, and at 80 mph, too! Fuel economy ran from 24 around town (L.A. type traffic) to 28 on the highway. This car is so roomy, too!

Does the electric window control location bother me? Nope. Apparently I am one of the few that realizes and appreciates that putting it on the dash leaves the driver's door panel less bulky and intrusive thereby giving my left leg plenty of room! I just rest my left hand on my left knee and operate the controls effortlessly. I mean- come on, how many times are you gonna yo-yo the windows up and down while you are driving.

Serious off-roaders need not apply, and that's why I bought it. I had no illusions about climbing mount Everest with this little honey. I just wanted a ride with style!

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Compared to RAV4, Ford Escape, Nissan, etc.

The CR-V is very affordable compared with the other small SUVs available at the time I purchased this vehicle (mainly compared to the RAV4, which seems to be the CR-V's only major competition at the time). It's roomy with numerous innovations such as a picnic table/cooler, a center fold-out table b/w the driver and the passenger, SIX cupholders, and an electrical outlet in the cargo area. With it's 4WD capabilities and ABS, the CR-V has no trouble tackling rainy weather. It handles nicely and is easy to drive.

With the exception of a slightly bigger engine and the introduction of the new Sport Model, the CR-V has remained almost unchanged since it's debut. It might once reign as king of the small SUVs, but now, with just about every car company making one of these things, each with better innovations, the CR-V feels out-dated. Even with the bigger 146hp engine, the car still weighs some 3,500lbs and it's still an inline-4. This car could use some serious power boost. The driver really feels this car's lack of power when the car is full of passengers. With a full car-load of adults,the driver has to floor the pedal to keep at 70mph. Entering the freeway from an on-ramp is challenging due to the car's poor mid-range torque, but dangerous when carrying a full car load. The aftermarket performance parts for this car is also ridiculously limited. Maybe Honda should have a supercharger as an option much like with the Toyota 4Runner.

Overall, this being my first car, the CR-V is a fairly decent. Even with my complaints for it's lack of power, I enjoy driving it. It's easy to park and handles like a oversized sedan. Compared to the other Small SUVs on the market, I still feel the CR-V has the better exterior styling.
So if you can cope with this car's lack of power, a constant need to floor the gas pedal, and resist the temptations of the newer innovations from the other SUVs, then maybe the CR-V is made for you.

****IF you can fork up around 3Gs, Jackson Racing does make a supercharger for the CR-V which should all the power problems

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I like just about everything about this car (suv) but I am coming off of owning a 1991 toyota tercel! I needed more space and this is it! The head room is unbelievable! Abe Lincoln could drive this car with his top hat on and not have a problem. It handles well on icy, wet, or gravel roads. The rear seats fold down very easily. I like the flip up cup holder. Love the cargo room! Much easier to put my son in his car seat in this auto than it was to put him in my Tercel. Love all the storage compartments in the rear. Map lights in front and the light in the cargo area VERY handy! Oh, did I mention, SPACE, SPACE, SPACE!!!

Could use some more horsepower. Locking mechanism awkward. I got most of the options that came with this auto, but my advice is to forget about the sunshade for the cargo area. It doesn't fold up or roll up to get out of the way and is difficult to put in and take out. Unlike other people, I don't find the window power controls strange, but I guess you just have to get used to them. Took me about a day, but I have never had power windows in a car before.

I would absolutely recommend this to anybody who likes lots of head room and cargo space. It drives great and gets you to where you want to go. I would not recommend this to anybody who needs the uber-luxury items like heated seats and mirrors (whatever, why anybody would need these is beyond me unless you have money to burn).

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Test drove other suvs, toyota rav4, suziki vitara (who are they joking with the tiny amount of cargo room in those autos? with the seats up that is. I guess if you don't haul around a 2 year old or other backseat passengers I guess you would be ok)

Fantastic in the snow for a small vehicle. Great on gas and plenty of room for my Labs and duck hunting gear.

I could say horsepower but how much do you actually need?

I would recommend any Honda or Toyota product strongly. I have heard some bad comments but my Father, who never takes care of his vehicles unless I do it, has tortured his Corolla and never ever had a problem. Before he had a Japanese vehicle he said he would never own one but with age comes wisdom.

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I have had major problems with all of my North American vehicles. I was very happy the day I saw my three transnmissions 96 North American p-u go. I have a 90 Civic as well and it owes me nothing. It has been in three accidents and still refuses to quit.