Though there are notable exceptions like the Accord V6 and the Odyssey minivan, Honda typically chooses to power its vehicles with clean-burning engines that aim to couple adequate power with laudable efficiency. The 2007 CR-V is no exception, and as such is powered by an aluminum, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder powerplant with dual overhead cams, i-VTEC (intelligent variable valve timing and lift electronic control) technology, and a 10-percent power gain over the 2006 model. That equates to 166 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 161 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm, with mileage estimates between 23 city/30 highway (2WD) and 22 city/28 highway (4WD). Those figures are comparable to the redesigned Toyota RAV4’s base powerplant, though the Toy’s optional 269-horsepower V6 offers 103 extra ponies with a negligible hit to EPA-rated fuel economy. Korean competitors like the Kia Sportage and the updated Hyundai Santa Fe also pack more optional punch under the hood, though they suffer in terms of efficiency. The CR-V’s emissions have been upgraded from LEV II LEV to LEV II ULEV, or from clean to cleaner, and last year’s five-speed manual transmission has been deleted from the lineup – every 2007 Honda CR-V comes with a five-speed automatic transmission, without a manual or sport shifting mode. Again, numerous other small SUVs address this concern.

Honda’s Real Time 4WD, which without a low range or any input from the driver is essentially an all-wheel-drive system, is available on all trims and adds a little more than 100 pounds to the curb weight. Otherwise, the CR-V is a front-driver that tips the scales at about 3,400 pounds, which is a few hundred pounds less than a top-of-the-line Toyota RAV4. That heft is suspended by MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup bolted to the rear, with added control courtesy of front and rear stabilizer bars. The steering system is of the variable-assisted rack-and-pinion variety, while braking is the focus of four-wheel antilock discs aided by electronic brake distribution and electronic brake assistance systems. Bridgestone Dueller H/T 225/65R17 tires, up from 2006’s 16 inchers, connect each 2007 CR-V to the road. A tow capacity of 1,500 pounds remains unchanged, lagging behind the Subaru Forester (up to 2,400 pounds), the Toyota RAV4 (up to 3,500 pounds), and the Chevrolet Equinox (standard 3,500 pounds).