MotorMouths

Some of its competitors lean on styling and upmarket features to appeal to customers, but Honda is relying on the core strengths of its product. As a package, the CR-V remains pretty unbeatable.

The 2012 Honda CR-V has extended its advantage with smart upgrades, measured design changes and intelligent engineering. Everybody else is still playing follow the leader.

The 2012 Honda CR-V has the feel of a passenger car and the function of a minivan, with a mix of proven mechanicals, perfect sizing, reasonable feature content and affordable pricing.

The fact that Honda (mostly) hit a home run on interior comfort, trim, packaging and styling helps, but it’s the way this Honda drives that’s going to keep the CR-V a leader in the entry crossover slot.

Improvements to the 2012 Honda CR-V’s interior, cargo configurability, ride quality and standard-equipment list should keep the compact crossover atop car shoppers’ must-test lists.

The emphasis in the 2012 CR-V is on utility simply rendered. Everything is where you want and need it. I truly like this one. There is something organic about it — a wagon that becomes an integral part of you each time you drive it.

Honda has gotten things right with the new CR-V, delivering a practical, attractive and affordable crossover that will meet consumer needs well. The CR-V is as competent as ever and still our pick for the small crossover segment – for now.

Overall, the 2012 Honda CR-V is a superior example of a small crossover, exhibiting the above-average ride, workmanship and features that you traditionally expect from a Honda vehicle.

The 2012 CR-V has a degree of styling and refinement that just didn’t exist in the three previous generations. It also rides and handles with confidence born out of recent engineering and development.

The Honda CR-V has reigned as America’s top compact crossover for most of its 15 years. We think CR-V fans will be very pleased with the 2012 edition. It’s more of what they bought their CR-V for in the first place. And, that’s all good.

This 2011 Honda CR-V is a competent choice: comfortable, spacious, efficient and reliable.

The 2011 Honda CR-V is comfortable, roomy, easy to drive, fuel efficient, useful, durable, and a good value – just about everything someone wants and needs out of a new vehicle. It’s just not very pretty.