After a stylish redesign last year, the 2008 Honda CR-V continues to be the Japanese automaker's biggest seller worldwide. In the U.S., it's second only to the Ford Escape in the compact SUV market. Seating five in two rows, the 2008 CR-V comes in three trims (LX, EX, and high-end EX-L), all offered in either front-wheel or automatic four-wheel drive. The 4WD adds extra security on slippery roads and is not meant for true off-roading. No matter, as this SUV is designed to be more family and grocery-oriented than an agent of adventure.

Major upgrades in the 2008 CR-V focus on the EX-L. Already equipped with heated leather seats, a sunroof, and a navigation system, the EX-L receives an 8-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, and an upgraded sound system. Riding on a car-like platform, this early crossover prototype retains its 2.4-liter, 166-hp inline four and 5-speed automatic transmission. The Base LX starts with 16-inch wheels, while both EX trims feature 17-inch alloy wheels. ABS brakes, traction and stability control, a tire monitor, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags are standard across the lineup, earning the 2008 CR-V five stars in crash tests.

Safety is all well and good, but how does the CR-V do for carrying people and cargo? It has a 35-cubic-foot cargo area that expands to 73 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A flat floor adds more room overall for passenger comfort, and the rear row both reclines and slides back and forth to accommodate longer legs or cargo. The cargo area features a two-tier shelf and a floor that folds out into a picnic table for impromptu roadside picnics. There is also a fold-out tray in between the front seats, which is replaced by a leather-covered console in the EX-L. Decent power for this heavy SUV, overall comfort, and easy handling account for the CR-V's popularity among suburban drivers. It's 20/26 fuel economy could be improved, and it lacks the third row of some of its competitors. But if that's what you need, there's always the Pilot.