2008 Honda CR-V Review

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Hard plastics abound
ConsumerGuide

the cabin is well-insulated
Edmunds

welcome extra hip room for everyone
TheAutoChannel

The 2008 Honda CR-V offers a reasonably roomy cabin for four adults, but its chief attraction is exceptional build quality.

Many sources approve of the Honda CR-V's roominess. The Auto Channel reports that "the third-generation structure is a little wider...that translates to welcome extra hip room for everyone." ConsumerGuide says, "Space for legs and knees is plentiful even with the front seats far aft, [and] headroom is ample." Motor Trend observes, “as with all Hondas, there's plenty of front legroom available.” Though there’s no third-row seat, Car and Driver notes, the CR-V has a large, useful cargo area when the reclining second-row seats are folded. Edmunds notes how “the 60/40-split rear seat has reclining seatbacks and adjusts fore and aft” and “the wide-opening rear doors and lightweight rear liftgate make it simple to load infants and their strollers.” Cars.com, meanwhile, complains that flipping the seats is not as elegant a solution as they expected: “There are two straps to pull, and neither felt that sturdy.”

Cars.com says the CR-V has grown up, in terms of cargo-carrying capacity: “The CR-V measures 35.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats intact and 72.9 cubic feet with them folded flat; that's up from 33.5 cubic feet and 72 cubic feet, respectively, in the outgoing model.”

ConsumerGuide notes "hard plastics abound in the cabin, but none look cheap. The interior is assembled with care." Motor Trend calls the CR-V’s interior treatment high art: “The interior is also a case study of the level of artistry that can be achieved with lowly hard plastics.” Cars.com reports, “A trio of center-mounted A/C knobs felt a bit cheap when turning, but they were the lone setback in an overall splendid dash.”

When it came to quietness, most sources have positive comments. Edmunds reports "the cabin is well-insulated from the road noise that plagued past CR-Vs," while ConsumerGuide notes minor noise: "Engine noise intrudes during acceleration. Tire noise is noticeable on most road surfaces but doesn't annoy. Some wind rush is noticeable around exterior mirrors."

Conclusion

If a comfortable ride is more important to you than looks or power, you should like the 2008 Honda CR-V.


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.

Read More About the 2008 Honda CR-V:

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See the Honda CR-V in Other Years:

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

Comments (1 total)

  1. IN LOVE WITH MY CR-V

    By Kadi | Posted: Sep 9th 2008, 02:52:30 AM

    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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