OK - got totaled by a drunk driver this past weekend so I'm looking
for a car ASAP. I have always liked the look of the CRV. I drive at
least 55 miles a day, so fuel economy is important (I looked at your
string on that). Also, I'm short (5'2") - any other small people out
there who can discuss the comfort of the seats with me? I'm also
interested in the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute - anyone driven those
also to compare?

Thanks! Jennifer

Go with the Honda!!

I do not own a CRV or an Escape/Tribute; but I am considering a small SUV and have driven a few. I do own a '99 Honda Accord and a '97 Honda Civic and have nothing but praise for Hondas (especially having driven mostly American made cars for the past 44 years.)  I favor the CRV over the Escape/Tribute for DEPENDABILITY and GAS MILEAGE.  My experience is Hondas are like the Energizer bunny.  The 4 cylinder engine should be adequate for you unless you have a lot of heavy stuff in the car and you drive steep hills.  It will definitely get better gas mileage than the Escape/Tribute.  Stick shift or automatic is your choice.  I understand they are both good.
 
If you get serious about the Escape/Tribute, go for the V-6 engine and automatic trans.  I drove the 4 cylinder with a stick shift and it was lousy.  The interior is spacious and comfortable.  The suspension is stiff, so the ride was bouncy.  I don't think the vehicle has been around long enough to determine long term dependability.
 
Happy hunting.
 

If gas mileage is important, you might want to forget the tribute and
escape. Their 4 cylinder is really under powered (smaller than the on in the
CR-V) and the V6 has a huge appetite!

We have 4 hondas here, a V6 Accord '98, Civic Si '98, CR-V '01 and Acura 3.2
TL '02 none had major issues, we are completely satisfied with our cars.

For what concerns the mileage, my CR-V has 1400 miles on and I get 24mpg
(11.5 l/100km) in town and 29mpg (9.5 l/100km) on the highway (speed between
65 and 70mph).

I also find it comfortable and really useful. It's amazing how many things
you can fit in there... The rear seat make a flat floor, you have
compartments to store things everywhere. The only things that I find awkward
are the pockets located at the bottom of each door... they have a huge hole
in the middle which make them useless. Still... there easy to clean that way
:o)

I hope this will help you make your choice!

Alex

My wife is 5'4" and claims our 97' CRV is the first car that she can
really fit into. She likes that she sits higher up with better
visibility (like an big SUV) but can still see over the dashboard
(unlike a big SUV).
I've been driving it to work lately at 26 miles round-trip. Lots of
stop and go (Yeah, Seattle) with fuel consumption around 22 mpg. You can
do far better on mileage with a Corolla or Civic, but you can't beat the
CRV's all around utility.

-Kevin

Is your CR-V with automatic or stick?
 
Marti

It's a standard


>