Affordable. Great turning radius. Pick up and acceleration adequate. The CD player is great-- radio is weak. The sun roof is great every which way.

In somewhat order: rear seats don't fold down or flat. Poor rear visibility-- must remove the center rear head rest. Lower inside door jambs get coated with wet mud in winter and you must step wide or get pant leg all muddy-- reduced a lot of problem by installing running boards. When raining and you open rear door, water will drip on seat and get papers or people wet.

Traded in a full size SUV for smaller version that could not tow or haul all the things needed. Wanted something simple, economical. Fuel economy somewhat dissappointing-- as high as 27mpg on pure freeway, but generally lucky to get 25 on rural roads. The center consol flip-down thing looks cheap, but comes in handy to set purse or briefcase or even climb into rear.

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Ten+ years Ford Explorer.

- Rock-solid engineering and reliability - Pleasure to own - Sturdy and capable for light off-road travel, while making a fantastic city car - Extremely roomy cargo space, especially with the seats down (I'm always amazed by how much I can squeeze in there ) - Backseats: they recline(!) and there's plenty of foot room - HEPA filter for cabin air - Lots of crafty storage compartments - I like it's straightforward design...it does everything its supposed to do without silly frills

Things I mainly consider insignificant: - no arm rests - having to open the back window first, then the back hatch...also, when curb-side it opens the wrong way (from the driver's side..but I suppose it would make more sense in Japan) - geared low, maybe? sometimes at freeway cruising speeds, I find myself trying to upshift only to find I'm already in 5th.

When I decided to purchase a used, small SUV for my family, I did some research and narrowed it down to between the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, because of reliability. I test drove both types of car, and both my wife and I just felt like the CR-V was a better fit: roomier, more comfortable, and there were only a limited few to choose from used...the CR-V seemed like the best of the lot. I purchased the '98 in '01 with 42,000 miles on it. Now, it has just over 100,000 miles on it. In all honesty, I haven't done a good job of keeping up on maintenance. Until recently, it had gone about 25,000 miles without an oil change or other regular servicing, both cv boots were shot (and it clicked loud turning either direction or even accelerating straight). At this point, the car wasn't all that fun to drive, and I was expecting to get stranded at some point. Never happened. Just recently, I spent about $1,500 on maintenance and repairs: - replaced both front 1/2 axles - replaced all 4 tires - performed ALL manufacturer suggested maintenance services all the way up to 100,000 miles To my amazement this abused CR-V with over 100,000 miles on it, runs, feels and sounds brand new. It's amazing! I don't think too many cars out there could have handled and recovered from the maintenance neglect like this Honda. If you're thinking of buying used, I can honestly recommend the CR-V.

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First Honda, first SUV. I've also owned a Cadillac Seville, a Mazda Prelude, a Toyota Corolla, a Chevy Camaro, a Chevy Impala, and an Olds Delta '88.

Its AWD in the snow. Nothing is better. Its low end torque in low gear for pulling cars out of ditches. Just a brut of a machine and will handle all you throw at it. Never having to take it to the dealer to get fixed. Will go anywhere you ask it to. The cars value keeps as well.

Radio and 4 speakers it needs at least 6. Wish I had leather seats.

Bought the CRV brand spanken new in 1999. Now have 176,000 miles. From Pa and have traveled to-from Florida several times as well Va. All I have ever needed to do was change the oil. Best car in the snow as well. Also own a Lexus RX300 (2000) and the CRV kicks its but in the snow. Have also pulled cars and other SUV's out of ditches with ease. Driving is a little loud but who cares, you are not buying this car for luxury are you? Great room inside the car for all your needs, from racing the kids around to moving boxes to your shore house. I highly recommend this SUV if want a reliable, handy,, safe SUV to drive.

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RX300 Fully Loaded (minus navigation) if you don't know where your going don't drive on the road.

Well, after 9 months and 16000 miles on my wifes CR-V I have a change of heart about it. My wife still loves the vehicle, but i have been very disappointed with it. I have had it into the dealer 6 times in 9 months. Here are the major problems... 1) Clunking in the front end....changed the 1/2 shafts. took multiple visits. 2)Oil leaking from the valve cover all over the motor. fixed first time 3)2 TSB's. 4) Driver side door rattling at the window area....took 4 or five times to finally fix. adjusted door, now more difficult to shut then the other doors, rattling gone though. Although it has not left my wife stranded, I feel the problems and the amount of times to get them fixed is ridiculous. I called Honda and they opened up a case file on my vehicle. I am stuck in a very unfortunate predicament, I feel this vehicle will kill me financially when the warranty ends, but I am unable to sell it..who would buy a vehicle that has been in the shop 6 times in 9 months. My wife went from a Civic to an Accord, and finally to this CR-V which is about the most disappointing vehicle I have ever had. I am glad you guys are enjoying yours, I guess I got the lemon of the bunch.

Real time AWD, Amazing amount of room for for exterior size, turning radius, Quality, bullit proof dependability, goes anywhere in any weather with confidence, styling is like the new piolet on the SE - nice looking, brakes and suspension have been great, fun to drive and it still looks and smells like new!

Could use heated leather seats, road noise supression is not the greatest, stereo could have been a little better, front seat travel could be greater but I am rather large, not a problem for my wife.

We bought this car new late in 2000. It has done everything we could ask of any car. It has never been back to the dealer for any repair! My wife has driven it for almost 50k miles. I can't say enough good things about it! It's not perfect but it's close. I am selling now for a new Element because it meets my needs even better.

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explorer,jimmyand many wagons

Roomy and spacious Honda sells great SUV's Orange dash lights are cool at night Lots of room with or without back seats locked down

Slow gas mileage not the greatest wind noise makes you turn up the radio hard seats

This has been a great SUV. It is wonderful on the freeway- I took it back and forth from MN to IN 12 times in 2 years! Full size tire was great when I popped one. Loved it. Great SUV for women!@

Handling in snow! Interior room. Road clearance. Sound system. Visibility. Reliability. Fun to drive! ABS. Cute little rig. Cruise control easy to use. My teenagers actually like the adustable, theatre-style back seats (hmmm, that didn't come out right, did it?) Best value for the money.

Alloy wheels too open. Get packed with ice and snow, which then snaps on take off on cold days. Rims also fill with ice and throw wheels off balance, causing shimmy at high speed. Roof rack is a joke--it's expensive and not adjustable--need to buy third-party. Honda accessories are outrageously priced. Gear ratios a bit funky: first gear only needed to get the thing rolling to a walking pace; second-to-third shift a bit wonky--has the clutch a mind of its own or what?

Have had this vehicle for a couple of months, got the 5-speed manual transmission. First SUV. (Owned a 1989 Volvo 240 wagon for 15 years prior--great car, but underpowered). Tested the CRV in a couple of blizzards, 18 inches of snow. Amazing handling. Was one of the very few cars at the mall on those days. Very roomy inside, in spite of small overall size. Liked the low weight, good gas economy--better than my Volvo. Based on reviews on this site, I asked my dealer to install 5 all-season Michelin tires. I'm thinking of getting four steel rims with snow tires for even more dependability (and to solve a couple of little problems caused by the alloy rims in winter--see below.) Wife LOVES the car; we now fight for the chance to drive the kids across town...

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First SUV, won't be the last. Tested Toyota Highlander: was very tempted but bit too expensive. Tested Mazda Tribute: erk! Tested 2004 Volvo AWD: looks good, very cushy, but expensive, not very reliable, and felt boxed in.

ride, space, fit and finish, doesn't suck gas like big SUV, heated mirrors are nice in freezing weather.

tires are kind of loud on highway but with kids crying or stereo booming you don't notice.

Had this about 1 month. It was time to trade in my 1990 Civic 2 dr with 220K in it so I could lug my 2 kids around. Also have a 99 Civic so I have had good experience with Honda products. Was skeptical of the 160HP but the CRV drives so much nicer than the Santa Fe and the Escape which all have v-6 but feel unrefined. Like the room (can fit 2 child seats in back seat and still have room for an adult as well), seating position, smooth ride. Agree with other posters that the shift lever gets in the way of the radio volume knob, but if that's your biggest complaint then it really isn't one!! Handles well in snow, ABS is good to have too. Drives well on the highway but can be blown by cross wind. No big deal - just have to pay more attention. Just hope that transmission problems being reported with some Accords, Odysseys, and Acura TL's don't appear in the CRV.

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Rav 4, Santa Fe, Escape. 99 Honda Civic SE 90 Honda Civic DX

Honda engine, VTec rev, build to last. Interior is nice. Plenty of space in the back.

Could use a little power. Could upgrade to V-6 at 200hp, around 3.0L. But still at 160hp is okay for speeding on freeway.

I bought this compact SUV after reading it for a few years now. I have driven Nissan, Toyota, Acura, Mit., and others, but... for the price, highly reliable car (assembled in Japan), high resale value, CR-V is the best in the class. It is very roomy with plenty of nice interior. My CR-V come with customized exhaust tip, fog lights, Westin Side Bars, nice seat covers, cusomized chrome & aluminum pedal pads, alpine speakers and poineer cd/mp3 car deck and others. I am satisified with Honda product due to owning Acura/Honda car for over 5 years and never had problem with the emission system or engine. I highly recommended this SUV for the best safe car in the sub-compact class.

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Acura CL

Lots of fun around town. Spirited driving manners, decent acceleration and braking, tight turning radius, gives you a lot for your money. Real Time all wheel drive functions adeqautely and gas mileage is reasonable, much better than our Outback. Honda reliability (?) and resale value.

Basic and noisy interior, somewhat 'low rent,' seats are hard and narrow, boring exterior colors and interior fabrics (Is that a Seaman's sofa pattern?) Stock tires are junk, all accessories are dealer installed. 6 disc changer in dash is weak.

After shopping the rest of the vehicles in its class (RAV, Forester, Saturn, etc.), we decided upon this one. Our other vehicle is a Subaru Outback Limited, so I'll compare it to that. In terms of overall acceleration, and responsiveness, it's no comparison. The Honda will run rings around the Subaru-that V-TEC motor has a split personality that I remember well from Civic Si's and Acuras in the past. It's lively at lower revs for around town use, but really begins to breathe from about 4000 rpm up to redline, great for when you need to put your foot in it for acceleration on highway on ramps, passing, etc. The steering is light, and the feedback through the wheel is spot on. The ride is firm, but not abusive, and it rolls slightly in corners, just enough understeer to give some message as to where the slip angles are. The Outback is far smoother though, in terms of ride. The Honda is noisy inside (Those OEM Bridgestones can't wear out fast enough, and will be replaced with something better.), where the Subaru is whisper quiet. The turning radius is superb, and aside from poor visibility out the rear window (Toss that middle backseat headrest.), it's just right for the cut and thrust of traffic and around town use. It's a bit affected by crosswind, but not unmanageable for a taller vehicle. The interior is typically Honda-spartan, but functional, and the controls are sensibly layed out for easy reach. Where the Subaru coddles you with its seats and interior touches, the Honda is only adequate-it feels somewhat low rent, and Civic-like, but even the Pilot is not anything close to sumptuous. I do like the large knobs for climate control and the radio is placed high for easy access, although that funky shift lever gets in the way when adjusting volume and tuning. I hate the position of it, it forces my arm into an unnatural curve; thankfully, since we have the automatic, I don't have to do it that often. No problems with the joystick mounted parking lever, although I'm eying that gray plastic release button with a bit of apprehension. The seats are firm, the rear split bench. according to my daughter, is exactly that. You can slide them forward and back and recline the seat backs-very nice. I have enough room at 6'1", with its bus-like seating position, but if you have a wide back, the firm side bolsters may be uncomfortable. I hope they break in a bit, as right now, with a winter coat on, I have to wedge in between them. Headroom is excellent, and the moonroof is a nice touch on the EX. Room in the rear is fine, although I wish the rear seats were removable also, as per the RAV, flipping them up and forward still encroaches upon the cargo capacity-it does seem cavernous back there, even though the hard numbers are right in the range of its competitors. The only other thing I am missing now is the cold weather option package that the Outback has. Interestingly, the Canada model EX-L has this package-What's up with that Honda? The rear wiper in particular, is tough to clean, etc. with the spare hanging off the rear, and why the screw on antenna that gets in the way? The Element has a far less obtrusive and more stylish stalk, and the Outback antenna is part of the windshield. In comparison though, for my family, the CR-V is larger and quicker than the RAV, and somewhere comparable to the Forester, although not quite as comfortable as our Outback. We've had the first several snows and ice storms, and its all wheel drive system is competent, although I think the Subaru has this market cornered for sheer seamlessness of its drive system; I can feel the Honda a bit slow to respond at times, and would like a manual lockout, but again, the Subaru doesn't have this either. Where I am anticipating an advantage is in reliability and resale. This model is now built in England (Uh oh?), so we shall see. In all, it gives you a lot for a relatively small price.

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Outback Limited, tested Saturn (Ugh.), Forester (XT is nice, but wife hated the interior 'plasticky' feel), RAV (too small and slow), Ford Escape (Reliability and resale?), etc.