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2008 Honda CR-V Review

July 22, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

styling may not please everyone
Car and Driver

sort of weird looking
Edmunds

a more fashion-forward design
Kelley Blue Book

its graceful curved lines...lured me in
Mother Proof

a departure from the boxy original
The Auto Channel

The 2008 Honda CR-V has a polarizing outer style that gives reviewers pause—thankfully, the interior’s a lot less controversial.

Completely redesigned for 2007, the new CR-V features lower (by 1.3 inches) step-in height and is actually shorter overall than the '06 model it replaced, but it has a roomier interior.

The exterior styling of the 2008 Honda CR-V, with its mix of arcs and creases, looks a little odd from some angles, but inside, the CR-V's styling is more universally attractive. Car and Driver says the new 2008 CR-V’s “styling may not please everyone.” That’s putting it mildly, when other reviewers have their say. Motor Trend points out, “It's more jelly-bean-shaped, far more emotional in its details. The headlights are flare-back like an extreme facelift; the pursed-mouth grille is now slightly opened, as if it might snap at you.” Edmunds calls it “sort of weird-looking,” and Cars.com says it “has an underbite,” though “from every other angle the CR-V’s design shines.” Kelley Blue Book agrees, commenting that the "side view is dramatically different than past CR-Vs." Cars.com likes the “subtle creases on the bodyside and around the wheel wells also help the CR-V avoid the slab-sided look of early-generation SUVs."

The CR-V’s interior has an instrument panel that's upright, if a bit trucklike, as well as nice contrasting materials and brightwork. It also draws more favorable comments. Edmunds's opinion is that "the best attribute of the CR-V is its attractive yet practical cabin design." Cars.com reports that “Honda has really found its stride with interiors lately,” and thinks the “dash is perfectly executed,” noting that the CR-V “opts for a more straightforward side-by-side setup with an informative digital display wedged between the speedometer and tachometer.” Motor Trend says “the gauges and controls would make sense to somebody raised by wolves and suddenly plopped behind the wheel.”

Conclusion

The 2008 Honda CR-V's exterior gets mixed reviews, but the inside is aesthetically pleasing.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:styling may not please everyoneCar and Driversort of weird lookingEdmundsa more fashion-forward designKelley Blue Bookits graceful curved lines...lured me inMother Proofa departure from the boxy originalThe Auto Channel The 2008 Honda CR-V has a polarizing outer style that gives reviewers pause—thankfully, the interior’s a lot less controversial. Completely redesigned for 2007, the new CR-V features lower (by 1.3 inches) step-in height and is actually shorter overall than the '06 model it replaced, but it has a roomier interior. The exterior styling of the 2008 Honda CR-V, with its mix of arcs and creases, looks a little odd from some angles, but inside, the CR-V's styling is more universally attractive. Car and Driver says the new 2008 CR-V’s “styling may not please everyone.” That’s putting it mildly, when other reviewers have their say. Motor Trend points out, “It's more jelly-bean-shaped, far more emotional in its details. The headlights are flare-back like an extreme facelift; the pursed-mouth grille is now slightly opened, as if it might snap at you.” Edmunds calls it “sort of weird-looking,” and Cars.com says it “has an underbite,” though “from every other angle the CR-V’s design shines.” Kelley Blue Book agrees, commenting that the "side view is dramatically different than past CR-Vs." Cars.com likes the “subtle creases on the bodyside and around the wheel wells also help the CR-V avoid the slab-sided look of early-generation SUVs." The CR-V’s interior has an instrument panel that's upright, if a bit trucklike, as well as nice contrasting materials and brightwork. It also draws more favorable comments. Edmunds's opinion is that "the best attribute of the CR-V is its attractive yet practical cabin design." Cars.com reports that “Honda has really found its stride with interiors lately,” and thinks the “dash is perfectly executed,” noting that the CR-V “opts for a more straightforward side-by-side setup with an informative digital display wedged between the speedometer and tachometer.” Motor Trend says “the gauges and controls would make sense to somebody raised by wolves and suddenly plopped behind the wheel.” ConclusionThe 2008 Honda CR-V's exterior gets mixed reviews, but the inside is aesthetically pleasing.  2008 HONDA CR-V STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "styling may not please everyone" Edmunds: "sort of weird looking" Kelley Blue Book: "a more fashion-forward design" Mother Proof: "its graceful curved lines...lured me in" The Auto Channel: "a departure from the boxy original" ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Honda CR-V and most of these other compact SUVs offer city-friendly maneuverability and carlike handling; the Subaru Forester stands out for having the firmest ride and sportiest handling in the group, while the RAV4's ride is plusher; it's also the only one in this crowd to offer an available third-row seat. Unlike several competitors to the Honda CR-V, including the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, the RAV4's steering wheel tilts and telescopes. If you want a manual transmission, you'll need to look to the Sportage, Tucson, or Forester. Of all these competitors, only the Subaru Forester meets the CR-V's stellar crash-test results, but the Forester does not come with as much standard safety equipment as the 2008 Honda CR-V.

Next Steps:

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See the Honda CR-V in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Kadi #1, Posted: 9/9/2008

    IN LOVE WITH MY CR-V

    Regardless of what this reviewer may think I get a ton of complements on my 08 cr-v,it rides better than my aunts 07 Rav -4 with better pick up & less wind noise not to mention the seats are just more inviting & comfortable. I chose the cr-v over the rav because the NAVI was not available;e on the rav, but also because of the better gas milage. it was a wonderful choice. THANKS HONDA!

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