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The Honda CR-V's four-cylinder engine delivers competitive power. While hitting the gas in the CR-V won't snap any necks like some in the class aspire to, it delivers what most drivers need, if not want. And it does so reasonably smoothly, too, with less ruckus than the RAV4, although for reasons of mechanical design as much as anything, not as demurely as the V6-powered alternatives. There is more power available from the turbocharged Mazda CX-7 and the V6 engines available in other compact SUVs; the Toyota RAV4's optional V6, for instance, pumps out 269 hp.The V6s pay a price in fuel economy, but not as much as you might think: Against the 3430-pound, 2WD CR-V EX-L's EPA-estimated 20/27 mpg, a 3549-pound, V6-powered 2WD RAV4 manages 20/25. Four-wheel-drive versions of the CR-V and RAV4 V6 promise exactly the same 26 mpg Highway. The CR-V's five-speed automatic transmission is a good match for the engine. It's not best in class but well above average in smoothness of shifts, in controlling hunting for the right gear when climbing grades, and in holding a lower gear when helpful on downgrades. Honda's Real Time 4WD is actually a car-style all-wheel-drive system, not a true off-highway-truck four-wheel drive, as it incorporates no lockable transfer case or ultra-low, off-road gearing. As such, however, it works seamlessly, invisibly allocating power to the tires slipping the least, although always favoring the front wheels by default. The Vehicle Stability Assist includes traction control. Coupled with four-wheel disc brakes (vented in front and solid in the rear), ABS, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, VSA helps drivers maintain control in emergency maneuvers or in bad weather. The CR-V handles well, with relatively little body lean in cornering. There's also relatively low head toss over rough and uneven pavement, helping to keep your passengers comfortable. Traversing aged railroad crossings at mildly elevated speeds produced no threatening sounds or gyrations. Steering assist could be backed off a notch or two, closer to that of the RAV4, which might improve directional stability and lessen the need for minor corrections in corners and long sweepers. Noise levels were minimal. Tire noise correlated with pavement type and conditions. The EX-L version did the best job of insulating occupants from outside irritants. Sounds from under the hood, although low key, left no doubt the engine is a big four-cylinder and that it strained at times. Moderate wind whistle leaked into the cabin from the outside mirrors and around the A-pillars.
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