Bridging the gap.(Small SUVs - Road Test)(Evaluation)

All sport-utility vehicles offer similar advantages. A high driving position can help you see farther down the road in traffic. Folding rear seats provide flexibility in loading cargo. And, when equipped with four- or all-wheel drive, there's extra traction for driving in adverse weather or off-road.

In our tests, however, we've found that models that use a platform similar to that of passenger cars--unibody construction and fully independent suspension--have consistently scored higher overall than competitive models that use a traditional truck-based platform, with body-on-frame construction and, usually, a solid rear axle. In this month's batch of five small SUVs, for instance, three models that use a modern car-based design--the Honda CR-V, Saturn VUE, and Land Rover Freelander--achieved the highest scores. Among all models that we've recently tested in the small-SUV category, the top eight are car-based.

Car-based SUVs typically provide more ride comfort and better handling than their truck-based counterparts. This makes them more suitable for the type of driving that the vast majority of SUV owners do. What car-based models usually sacrifice is the ability to handle more-demanding off-road terrain, such as high rocks, deep mud, and steep inclines--conditions that relatively few SUV drivers encounter. Truck-based models also typically have higher towing capacities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Although the Honda CR-V is not the best of the small SUVs we've tested (the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester scored higher), it's a very good vehicle, easily outscoring the other models in this group.

The CR-V was redesigned for 2002 and is much improved over its predecessor. The interior is roomier, and the driving position and controls are better. Overall, the CR-V is a sensible, logical vehicle at a competitive price. It provides sound handling, a compliant ride, and very good fit and finish. Our one complaint is too much road noise. A four-cylinder engine is still the only one available, but it has grown from 2.0 liters to 2.4 and now makes 160 hp--14 more than the previous engine--and is more responsive. It's also smoother and more refined than many V6s, and its 21-mpg overall fuel economy is quite good for this class. Reliability should be excellent.

We chose a top-of-the-line EX model, which comes with all-wheel drive, antilock brakes, sunroof, and the usual power equipment. With automatic transmission, it starts at $22,300. The destination charge brought its sticker price to $22,740--the lowest price in this group. The Consumer Reports Wholesale Price--which includes any buyer rebates and what the dealer paid after incentives--is $20,610. (All CR Wholesale Prices in this report were effective as of March 2002.)