2006 Honda CR-V

Pros: Nice handling, style, interior layout
Cons: blind spots, fuel economy not what I expected

Well maybe not, I was either going to get a Ford Escape (2006)or the Honda CRV (2006, well I chose the later, and I'm having alot of guilt.....I am a strong believer in buying American and I have researched both vehicles and they both run about neck and neck.........I test drove both and I must say I liked the way the CRV felt. I do agree with the blind spots though, drives me nuts! Also I agree fuel economy isn't as good as I would have believed. This is my first new car in 15 years, so I'm hoping it lasts about that long. I am happy but I do believe either the Ford Escape or the CRV would have made me that way......so choosing either I think is a very safe bet for a small SUV.

Pros: great engine, good acceleration, easy handling and the real-time AWD is wonderful in snow.
Cons: not great for grocery shopping, noisy cabin, rear seats could fold down more flatly.

I find the 2006 HONDA CRV to be very well put together "mechanically" and the engine is quite smooth and torqued beautifully to get you off the mark. But peripherals could be better designed. I find the glove compartment very small, just about enough room to fit their manuals but nothing else more. The coffee cup table between the driver and passenger side is useless. It would have been better to place a tide in net basket for holding small shopping items. Also they should have placed a net arrangement for the same in the back instead of having all your stuff roll around and knocking at the sides every time you turn. The cabin is also noisy as I heard that most HONDA vehicles have this characteristic. Maybe its only in Canada, but just having a black interior (most models) for 2006 perhaps should have been in grey, black is hard to keep clean. Rear seats should fold down better when hauling larger items in the back.