2009 Honda CR-V

Review

The Honda CR-V is a best-selling, award-winning vehicle that manages to easily win over almost anyone who drives it. The 2009 Honda CR-V earned the distinction of being named the best affordable compact SUV on the market by U.S. News and World Report. The CR-V beat out 24 other vehicles for top honors. Given the CR-V's fuel economy, responsive handling, safety, and capaciousness, it's no surprise that the 2009 model has dazzled critics and consumers alike. Read our 2009 Honda CR-V review to find out what makes this unassuming SUV such a breath of fresh air.

The Facts

Honda added a few new exterior colors for the new model year, but otherwise the 2009 Honda CR-V is identical to its predecessor. All trim levels of the CR-V come standard with a 2.4-L four-cylinder engine. A summary of the CR-V's vital stats follows.

• MSRP: $21,245 - $27,745
• Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway
• Horsepower: 166 horsepower
• Safety: Five out five stars on all NHTSA crash tests
• Warranty: 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty

The Good

The list of the CR-V's positive attributes is a long one. In fact, several auto reviewers have called the CR-V the best compact SUV on the market today. Despite its somewhat diminutive appearance, the 2009 Honda CR-V has a commodious interior. The vehicle's cargo capacity is a whopping 73 cubic feet, which is virtually unheard of for a vehicle of its size. The CR-V also has an unimpeachable safety record which results in more affordable auto insurance. The vehicle received five out of five stars on all federal crash tests and is one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's "Top Safety Picks." In addition to its impressive fuel economy, the vehicle is also reliable to a fault, receiving a score of ten out of ten on predicted reliability from J.D. Power.

The Bad

You really have to dig to find anything bad to say about the 2009 Honda CR-V, but the vehicle does have a few small imperfections. Criticisms of the CR-V usually center on its underpowered engine and automatic transmission. The CR-V only offers a four-cylinder engine for all trim levels, which leads to lackluster acceleration, particularly during highway driving. To be specific, the 2009 CR-V's 0-60 time is estimated at a sluggish ten seconds. A V-6 option isn't offered, nor is a manual transmission. Critics have also faulted the CR-V for failing to offer an optional third-row seat like Toyota's RAV4.