2008 Honda CR-V vs. Its Competition

2008 Honda CR-V 2WD 5dr EX Side Exterior View
Martin Padgett Martin Padgett Editorial Director

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.

2008 Honda CR-V 2WD 5dr EX Side Exterior View2008 Honda CR-V
Browse Used Listings		2009 Subaru Forester2009 Subaru Forester
Browse Used Listings		2008 Hyundai Tucson2008 Hyundai Tucson
Browse Used Listings		2008 Kia Sportage 2WD 4-door I4 Auto LX Side Exterior View2008 Kia Sportage
Browse Used Listings		2008 Toyota RAV4 2008 Toyota RAV4
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
7.8
The 2008 Honda CR-V doesn't have hip style or performance on tap, but it has the security, utility, and frugality that many sensible moms want.
8.0
It’s significantly improved this year, but the 2009 Subaru Forester remains a unique all-wheel-drive crossover with less power and fewer features, but better carlike handling, than its competition.
7.0
The 2008 Hyundai Tucson no longer stands out in its class for performance or safety, but it’s still a great value.
6.8
If you can live without top-level refinement and the absolutely latest technology, 2008 Kia Sportage is a fine little SUV, and considering its price, a genuine value.
7.6
The 2008 Toyota RAV4 brings a little more space than most compact SUVs without a mid-size price.
MSRP From    
$20,700$19,995$17,235$16,050$21,500
Gas Mileage    
20 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy19 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy19 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy
Engine    
Gas I4Gas Flat 4-CylGas I4Gas I4Gas I4
EPA Class    
2WD Sport Utility4WD Sport Utility2WD Sport Utility2WD Sport Utility Vehicle2WD Sport Utility Vehicle
Style Name    
2WD 5-Door LX4-Door Manual XFWD 4-Door I4 Manual GLS *Ltd Avail*2WD 4-Door I4 Manual LXFWD 4-Door 4-cyl 4-Speed AT (GS)
Drivetrain    
Front Wheel DriveAll Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive2 Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity    
55555
Passenger Doors    
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style    
5 Door4 Door4 Door Sport Utility4 Door4 Door
Transmission    
AutomaticManual w/ODManual w/ODManualAutomatic w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2009 Subaru Forester2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2008 Hyundai Tucson2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2008 Kia Sportage2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2008 Toyota RAV4