2008 Honda CR-V Trims and Specs

The base model runs on a 166-hp, 2.4-liter iVTEC DOHC inline-four engine and 5-speed automatic that deliver 161 ft-lbs of torque. The front-wheel drive compact SUV seats four or five in two rows, riding on a fully independent front and rear suspension and multi-link rear suspension with 16-inch wheels and all-season tires. Standard safety features include 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction and stability control, daytime running lights, a tire monitor, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows. Foglights, 17-inch wheels, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are optional.

Equipped with power windows, locks, and mirrors, the 2008 CR-V LX offers a lot of convenience for a base model. Remote entry, cruise control, a trip computer, intermittent front and rear wipers, tilt and telescopic steering, and front and rear cupholders (8 total) and two power outlets are all standard. The CD player features MP3 playback and radio song information. Rear seats split-fold 60/40, move back and forth, and recline. A fold-down armrest doubles as a pass-through to the cargo area. With all seats down, the cargo area holds 73 cubic feet and comes standard with tie-downs and a shelf. The liftgate flips up with a fixed rear window. Options add a roof rack, cargo net, and cover.

A fully automatic four-wheel-drive system with a mechanical center differential engages when it senses a road situation that calls for more traction in the 2008 Honda CR-V LX 4WD. This base trim of the compact 5-person SUV also features standard Hill Descent Control, for less wear and tear on the brakes, and traction and stability control. 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, a tire monitor, daytime running lights, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags are all standard, helping the CR-V LX 4WD earn mostly five-star ratings. Riding on 17-inch wheels with all-season tires, this SUV receives decent power from its 166-hp, 2.4-liter iVTEC DOHC inline four-cylinder engine and 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Safety options include foglights and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

A 35-cubic-foot cargo area comes with tie-downs, a power outlet, and a floor that folds out into a picnic table. It expands to 73 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. These seats split 60/40, recline back, and slide fore and aft. An armrest doubles as a trunk pass-through. Between the front seats is a retractable center tray. Standard features include power windows, locks, and mirrors, cruise control, a CD player with MP3 playback and radio data, intermittent front and rear wipers, remote entry, a tachometer, and tilt and telescopic steering. You can add exterior accoutrements, such as a roof rack, step rails, and body molding, along with interior improvements, such as a cargo shelf and cover, and a leather-covered steering wheel.

The 2008 Honda CR-V EX offers some nice convenience upgrades from the base LX. These include a power sunroof, wheel-mounted audio controls, and a 6-CD player with six speakers (the LX has four), MP3 playback, and an iPod hookup. This front-wheel-drive compact SUV seats five in two rows, with the rear row capable of reclining and sliding forward and back to provide more legroom or storage room as needed. With the rear seats folded, cargo space expands from 35 to 73 cubic feet. Tie-downs are standard, and a shelf, cover, and organizer are optional. The rear window is fixed in the upward-opening liftgate. A 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder and 5-speed automatic deliver 166 hp and 161 ft-lbs of torque and achieve around 20/26 mpg.

Based on the Civic platform, the 2008 CR-V EX rides on an independent front suspension and multilink rear suspension and uses 17-inch wheels with all-season tires. Standard safety features include 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, traction and stability control, Hill Descent Control, daytime running lights, a tire monitor, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags. Foglights and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are optional. Interior convenience features include cruise control, intermittent front and rear wipers, a full power setup, tilt and telescopic steering, remote entry, a tachometer, and privacy glass. A rear spoiler, roof rack, running boards, and side steps are extra, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a tow hitch. Owners like the handling and interior comfort.

Strictly a city or suburban SUV, the four-wheel-drive system in the 2008 Honda CR-V EX 4WD is meant to provide extra traction in slippery road and weather conditions and is not intended for off-roading. The system engages automatically and comes with a mechanical center differential. It is enhanced by 17-inch wheels with all-season tires, Hill Descent Control, stability and traction control, and 4-wheel ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution. The compact CR-V EX SUV earns five stars in crash tests. Other safety features include dual front-side and side curtain airbags, a tire monitor, and daytime running lights. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and foglights can be added.

Acceleration is decent and reliable, thanks to a 2.4-liter iVTEC DOHC inline four-cylinder engine that reaches 166 hp. A 5-speed automatic with overdrive is the only transmission available. Upgrades you'll get with the 2008 EX 4WD trim include a power sunroof and an in-dash 6-CD changer with MP3 playback. Radio data, six speakers, and an iPod hookup are part of the sound system. Other features include a full power setup, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, intermittent front and rear wipers, remote entry, eight cupholders, and power outlets in the front seat and cargo area. Rear seats split-fold 60/40 and also recline and slide back and forth. An armrest/trunk pass-through is also standard. The front seats are separated by a retractable tray. Tie-downs are standard in the 35-cubic-foot trunk (expandable to 73 cubic feet), and a shelf, cover, and organizer can be added. Other options include a tow hitch, leather-wrapped wheel, roof rack, and side steps.

The L in the 2008 Honda CR-V EX-L stands for leather, rather than luxury. Nevertheless, the EX-L adds a lot more standard features to what you get with the EX. The front-wheel-drive compact SUV seats five in two rows, with a 35-cubic-foot cargo area expandable to 73 cubic feet. Changes for 2008 include the addition of a standard 8-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, and a 7-speaker sound system for the in-dash 6-CD player with MP3 playback and satellite radio. The 2008 CR-V EX-L already outdoes the EX with its leather upholstery, heated seats, and temperature display. A navigation system is also optional only for the EX-L.

Fueled by a 2.4-liter, 166-hp iVTEC DOHC inline four-cylinder engine and 5-speed automatic, the 2008 EX-L comes with the same safety features as the rest of the CR-V lineup. This includes 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, traction and stability control, Hill Descent Control, a tire monitor, daytime running lights, 17-inch wheels with all-season tires, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags. Foglights and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are available. Full power features, a sunroof, wheel-mounted audio and cruise control, privacy glass, intermittent front and rear wipers, reclining front and rear seats, a retractable tray, remote entry, and eight cupholders are family friendly. Rear seats split-fold and move fore and aft, and the cargo area comes with standard tie-downs. A shelf, cover, and net can be added, along with a roof rack, rear spoiler, and running boards.

Although not a luxury SUV, the 2008 Honda CR-V EX-L 4WD is acceptably high-end for the affordable compact SUV segment. The four-wheel drive system engages automatically, accompanied by a mechanical center differential, traction and stability control, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, Hill Descent Control, and 17-inch wheels with all-season tires. The all-wheel-drive system kicks in during slippery driving conditions and cannot be used for off-roading. Along with the dual front-side and side curtain airbags, halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, and standard tire monitor, the safety features on the 2008 CR-V EX-L 4WD help it earn five stars in crash tests.

Under the hood is a 166-hp, 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine with 5-speed automatic, which produces 161 ft-lbs of torque. Equipped with full power features, a sunroof, cruise control, wheel-mounted audio controls, remote entry, and intermittent front and rear wipers, the 2008 EX-L 4WD adds an 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar settings, dual-zone climate control, and a 7-speaker audio system this year. The sound system operates an in-dash 6-CD changer with MP3 playback, satellite radio, and an iPod hookup. Only the EX-L comes with standard heated leather seats. Cupholders, three power outlets (including one in the cargo area), storage compartments, a fold-out tray, and pass-through rear armrest are geared toward families. Rear seats recline, move back and forth, and split-fold, expanding the cargo area to 73 cubic feet.

Options for the 2008 CR-V EX-L 4WD include a voice-activated navigation system. Other available features include organizers, a cover, and a net for cargo, a roof rack, side steps and running boards, a rear spoiler, foglights, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A tow hitch is also optional. The EX-L remains popular for its handling, features, and comfort, but drivers express some disappointment with its 20/26 fuel economy estimates and a slightly underpowered engine.