2009 Honda CR-V Overview Change Vehicle

This 2009 Honda CR-V overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2009 CR-V, and includes Honda CR-V safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Honda's popular CR-V enters 2009 as a carryover model with the exception of a few new exterior colors. That means buyers can choose between LX, EX, and EX-L trim levels equipped with front- or four-wheel drive.

For 2009, the Honda CR-V is available in three trim levels: LX, EX, and EX-L. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional. Honda calls its all-wheel-drive system "Real Time 4WD," even though it is technically a part-time all-wheel-drive setup. Except for a navigation system that is optional on the EX-L model, dealers install options.

The CR-V LX is the base model, equipped with steel 17-inch wheels, cloth seats, a 60/40 split rear seat, and a stereo with four speakers. Air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, and power mirrors are also included on the LX model. The CR-V EX is upgraded with alloy wheels, body-color exterior trim, a power moonroof, an outside temperature gauge, a rear cargo shelf, and a better stereo with a CD player. For a dash of luxury, try the EX-L model, which comes with leather, premium audio with a PC card reader, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-way power driver’s seat. A navigation system is exclusively available on the EX-L model.

A 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 161 pound-feet of torque is standard on every 2009 CR-V. A five-speed automatic transmission is included, delivering power to the front wheels or to all four wheels on models that have Honda’s Real-Time 4WD system. Real-Time 4WD acts like a front-wheel-drive system until it detects the front wheels slipping, and then it automatically redistributes power to the rear wheels.

Fuel economy is a Honda CR-V strong point. The EPA says that every 2009 Honda CR-V will get 20 mpg in the city. With front-wheel drive, the highway rating is 27 mpg, while the CR-V 4WD earns 26 mpg on the highway. All models burn regular unleaded fuel.

Honda provides a full complement of standard safety features for the 2009 CR-V. Six airbags protect the driver and front passenger in frontal- and side-impact crashes, while full side curtain airbags are offered for all outboard seating positions. Stability control, antilock brakes with brake assist and a tire pressure monitoring system are also standard.

When it comes to the CR-V’s crashworthiness, both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have determined that the compact crossover Honda does a great job of limiting occupant injury. In the NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2009 Honda CR-V receives 5-Star ratings is all test parameters except resistance to rollover, which is rated 4 Stars for both the FWD and 4WD models. The IIHS assigns the CR-V its highest rating of Good in the offset frontal, side, and rear impact assessments. For roof crush strength, the IIHS says the CR-V performs at a Marginal level.

Not only is the CR-V safe, it’s dependable. Consumer Reports gives the 2009 CR-V its top rating for reliability, while J.D. Power and Associates predicts that the CR-V will prove to deliver above-average levels of dependability in the long run. Notably, J.D. Power found that the the CR-V was one of two models leading the small crossover SUV class in terms of initial quality.

Unchanged for 2009, the CR-V remains one of our favorite picks in the popular small crossover SUV segment. While its four-cylinder engine is far from sporty, and its cabin isn't exactly dining room quiet, the Honda hits home runs where it matters — fuel economy, reliability, safety and utility. Whether the CR-V finds its place in the driveway of a young family, in the dorm parking lot of a college student, or as an all-weather mode of transport in the Snow Belt, it's easy to understand the Honda's popularity. Test-drive the competition. Our bet is that you come back to the Honda.

By Michael Harley