2009 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD Review

Life is full of surprises, but some particular things are completely devoid of them. Most compact SUVs are built to satisfy the basic needs of a small family, like getting to and from the day-care, go out on weekend trips and go shopping, and head up to the grandparents for some kid spoiling.

You can’t really go wrong by choosing a CR-V, a competent, no-surprises vehicle. But it has two shortcomings.

The Honda CR-V could very well be the perfect example. It doesn’t promise exciting road manners, extreme fuel economy and blistering performance. Rather, it fulfills the needs of the widest range of Moms and Dads and does so in utter plainness.

Big on the inside
The CR-V has one of the most spacious cockpits in the small SUV segment. Although not as roomy as the class-leading Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute twins, the Honda is second only to the Toyota RAV4 in regards to maximum cargo space. In addition, a clever ridge moulded in the inner walls allows installing a panel for two-section loading.

The front seats get armrests and are quite comfortable for long trips, while the rear seatbacks recline and fold down in the 60/40 split. Our EX-L tester also gets leather upholstery, which is nice, but we prefer the fabric of the lesser trim levels.

The dashboard is comprised of quality, typically Honda plastics, and the switchgear layout is straightforward, although Bluetooth connectivity is cruelly missing. But its overall look won’t win any design awards, nor does it really need to. There are many storage points spread around the cabin and visibility is great all around.

Sensible powertrain
Unlike most of its competitors that offer high-power V6 engines, the CR-V is only available with a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder that develops 166 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a 5-speed automatic. Zero to 100 km/h is achieved in 9.8 seconds; that’s not very fast, but drag strip racing isn’t the vehicle’s mission.

The CR-V has one of the most spacious cockpits in the small SUV segment.