2008 Honda CR-V - Quality Review

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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."