> by JIM CORBRAN

Fortunately for people who think a regular ol’ car isn’t enough and a truck is too much, on the eighth day God created the crossover. It’s kind of a mashup of the station wagon of yore and the SUV of, like, now. Except it’s more manageable in both the handling and finance departments.

The Honda CR-V just happens to be one of those crossovers, and it’s a very good one. Sales figures would seem to back me up on that. And Honda a few months back gave it “...the most significant mid-cycle redesign in its 17-year history.” By redesign they’re not just talking about the looks of the vehicle, although they have been freshened-up a bit.

A good chunk of the redesign time was spent on the drivetrain.

That would be a 2.4L, direct-injected four mounted to a new CVT (continuously variable transmission). And I’ve gotta say, as I drove up the on-ramp to the I-990 I would have sworn that there was a V-6 under the hood. The 2.4 is very peppy and the CVT does its part to move the CR-V right along. This zippy combo is EPA-rated at a nifty 26/33 city/highway with the test vehicle’s all wheel-drive layout. (And yes, before you ask, it’s “Happy Adjective Week” here at YAK.) There is a front wheel-drive version sold by Honda, but it generally won’t be available in our part of the country. So be prepared to pay the $1,250 premium.

This test drive started on a nice, sunny afternoon (for a change!) at the new Ziegler Honda in Amherst. Upon arrival I was introduced to my own Client Advisor, Kyle Hatchett, who showed me the ropes of the CR-V. (I remember when they were salesmen, Lol.)

The CR-V falls, sizewise, in between Honda’s smaller (very much smaller) Fit and the larger Pilot. There’s a new HR-V hitting the showrooms which is smaller than the CR-V and larger than the Fit. We’ll drive one soon. Pricing starts at $24,695 for the AWD CR-V LX, and tops off at $32,895 for the CR-V Touring. The test car was a mid-range CR-V EX-L which carried a $30,275 price tag (including shipping). Some of the EX-L features I found interesting were things like the rear-view camera mounted in the right-side rearview mirror. Putting on the right turn signal activates the camera, and gives you a wide view on the in-dash display of what’s to your behind—right as you change lanes. Also comes in handy for parallel parking. Heated power outside mirrors are a feature that we really appreciate in WNY, and the EX-L has ‘em. As well as a leather-trimmed steering wheel, leather seating areas with heated front seats, roof rails, push-button start, 10-way power driver’s seat, a seven-inch touchscreen display, and a 328-Watt AM/FM/CD audio system with seven speakers—including subwoofer (you can never have too much radio!).

As you would expect (or, at least hope) in a mid-sized crossover, the interior is quite roomy. Getting in and out is easy, even though it’s a bit high off the ground, and once in there’s plenty or room for you and four others. Head and leg room is generous in both the front and back seating areas. The back seat reclines a tad to make getting comfortable easier. And there’s scads of room in the cargo area—around 35 cu. ft. with all of the seats in place. That number doubles after folding the 60/40 rear seat flat.

The styling of the CR-V is...very crossover-ish. That is to say, it looks much like many others in its class. But it must be working for Honda, as it’s perennially one of the best-sellers in that class of look-alikes. Take that, style snobs!

More info at: automobiles.honda.com.