2006 Honda CR_V Special Edition Published 03/16/2006

I tried not to like the Honda CR-V but it's just too darn practical. I know, the ladies like it because it's a "Cute-Ute," instead of a big SUV. It drives with a solid feel and a stable stance, but has the size and visibility that's easy to maneuver and park.

It's very Honda like, to include an impressive list of standard safety features. Front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, plus side curtain airbags are standard. Vehicle Stability Assist and Anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes are important safety features.

Bestowing their best rating for frontal offset and side impact collision, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety evaluation, is an important independent recommendation. The National Highway Safety Administration, an independent government agency, also rates vehicles for safety. NHSA reports that the 2006 Honda CR-V scored their highest five star rating for front and side collisions. No sport utility vehicle receives a Five Star Rating for rollover prevention by the NHSA but the 2006 Honda CR-V received a Four Star Rating, the highest of any SUV.

One area of concern is damage to the vehicle in the event of a rear collision. The 2006 Honda CR-V continues to hang the spare tire off of the rear door. In my opinion this is a serious design mistake. Even a small bump from backing into a pole or a rear-end tap from another driver will cause extensive damage to the rear gate. Because the tire extends beyond the bumper, the rear bumper is useless to prevent expensive body and glass damage.

The Honda CR-V was introduced to the American market in 1997 and this Civic based compact SUV became an instant success. Receiving a new body in 2002 the most recent refreshing was in 2005. In addition to new interior and exterior styling, the SE or Special Edition package was introduced raising the level of available luxury. Heated leather trimmed seats are accompanied with Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

As with most Honda packages, optional features are included in the value price, which might be prohibitive if purchased individually. The 2006 Honda CR-V SE that I drove had it all. Steering wheel mounted audio controls for AM/FM/6 Disc CD player helps keep your eyes on the road. I don't like the power moon roof control mounted on the left side of the dash but it will keep passengers from fiddling with your controls.

I especially like the position of the shift knob extending out from the dash like a floor-mounted control. The parking brake lever is cleverly disguised as a dash mounted grab handle. Repositioning these two handles provide a clean area between the front seats for folding the handy center tray table out of the way.

The most surprising part of driving the 2006 Honda CRV is how well I loved it. The power from the 156 horsepower four cylinder was more than adequate, and the five speed automatic transmission was flawless. The Real Time 4-Wheel Drive system may not give the Honda CR-V true off-road competition capabilities, but the 8.1 inches of ground clearance and traction control won't leave you stranded either.

The CR-V seemed more solid than expected. Front MacPherson Struts and the Rear Multi-Link Double Wishbone suspension provides a very stable ride. I should have expected this, as Honda always builds a solid and reliable vehicle. That is why the resale value for Honda is so high.

A good independent gauge of resell value is the independent Automotive Lease Guide, published to determine the expected future value of vehicles for leasing calculations. ALG recently announced it's 2006 awards and for the third consecutive year, Honda was awarded the Industry Brand Residual Value Award. The cost of ownership is not just what you initially pay but what it cost to operate and what the vehicle is worth when you trade for a newer vehicle.

It's the right size, has the right equipment, is the right price, and may be the right vehicle for you. If you are in the market for a compact SUV, you have to drive the 2006 Honda CR-V.

2006_Honda_CR-V Special Edition
4WD Compact Sport Utility Vehicle

2.4 Liter DOHC 16-Valve I-VTEC 4 Cylinder Engine 156 Horsepower
5 Speed Automatic Transmission

$20,395 Base CRV MSRP
$26,000 MSRP as Driven

22/27 MPG

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