In terms of safety, the new CR-V is fully featured. In addition to the required three-point seatbelts at all five seating positions and front seat airbags, people protection includes front seat-mounted side airbags, front and rear seat side air curtains with roll-over sensors and front seat active head restraints (which work to reduce whiplash in rear impacts). For crash avoidance, antilock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control are all standard.
As for how the '07 CR-V stacks up against the competition, well, in a number of ways, it could do better. Several, especially its arch rival, the Toyota RAV4, offer seating for seven, more powerful and smoother V6 engines and moderately more-capable systems for driving all four wheels. The Mazda CX-7, which seats five, is more fun to drive and to look at. And the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage carry substantially lower sticker prices.
Thus, buyers looking for peppy performance, snazzy styling and easier financing have better choices. But for Honda loyalists looking for something better than their current CR-V or an SUV to step up into from their Civic, the '07 is the logical way to go. Next Page