2006 Honda CR-V LX

The 2006 CR-V is Honda's compact SUV, the one that helped define the segment with its car-like ride and tall, roomy cabin. It drives with a light, easy feel that makes it a cinch to park and maneuver in town, yet it stays stable on the highway. The cabin is a highlight: there's a fold-out picnic table in the cargo floor, and the rear seats fold flat for hauling. Owners report this generation easily clears 200,000 miles with routine maintenance, though some note the A/C and headlights can act up over time. The LX is the value pick in the CR-V lineup: you get the same 2.4L I4 and all-wheel drive as the EX, but skip the alloy wheels and power moonroof. Its 2.4L I4 makes 156 horsepower and pairs with a five-speed automatic, which is enough for confident highway merging and returns 22 mpg combined. The LX rides on 15-inch steel wheels with full covers, which are less flashy than the EX's alloys but easier to replace and cheaper to tire.