The New Golden Child In The CarBuzz Rankings

Gone are the days when sedans and wagons ruled the streets. The new top-sellers, behind pickup trucks, are now SUVs, and brands that have brought us award-winning three-boxes are now doing the same with high-riders. CarBuzz takes a look at one of the best to see what makes them so special

A Honda by any other name

While the Civic and Accord are names we have become accustomed to, the CR-V is a bit of an odd one. However, it is clear that this is another winner from the mainstream brand when you look at the Honda CR-V reliability. This is a car made to stand the test of time, and all the hardships a growing family could put it through. And though it may be a hardy vehicle, you can count on it to keep everyone comfortable and entertained.

The perfect place to while away the miles

One of the defining characteristics of a good crossover SUV is a commodious and featureful cabin. When you step into the Honda CR-V interior, it is clear that it hit the mark perfectly. The materials may not be premium, but they feel good for the price. The infotainment suite is also quite comprehensive, even on the base model, so the kids will be entertained on the school run or over longer trips.

Transporting precious cargo

Since crossovers are first and foremost family cars, it stands to reason that they should be able to ensure the wellbeing of everyone. A quick look at the Honda CR-V safety rating shows what this looks when done right. It earned a solid five-star rating from the NHTSA and even managed to pick up a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. This is in part due to conscientious construction, but also largely due to the wide array of standard driver-assistance features that come as part of the Honda Safety Sensing suite.

Power on a budget

There may still be a few larger SUVs out there that continue using gluttonous V6s and V8s, but the smart money is on those that opt for turbocharged, small-displacement engines. The Honda CR-V’s performance may not suggest a penchant for thrills, but it has more than enough horsepower to get around – up to 212 hp with the mild-hybrid setup. This has the added bonus of returning incredible fuel economy figures – 40/35/38 mpg city/highway/combined.

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