The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

“Nothing’s real anymore,” wrote the great cartoonist-songwriter Shel Silverstein on a recent album.

In some ways, it could sum up the new class of sport utility vehicles, the mini-sport utility. They’re usually a four-wheel-drive car chassis with the same modest, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, outfitted with a smaller version of a sport utility body.

By now, you’ve seen the earliest entrants in this class, the Suzuki Sidekick and Toyota RAV 4.

Enter Honda with the CR-V.

In many ways, the Honda is the best-looking of the bunch, even if it’s the most conservative. Note how the rear taillamps are placed in the pillars, leaving an exposed rounded flank on the two-way tailgate. Neat.

Inside, it’s just what you’d expect from Honda. Medium-gray and black plastics decorate the ergonomically functional interior. The gray cloth upholstery is tasteful and sensible, but not very exciting. The radio controls are placed above the thoughtfully large climate controls, both of which are in easy reach. The heating and cooling system has a micron air-filtration system, removing pollen and dust.

There are a tray table and two cup holders between the front seats that fold out of the way when not in use. The back seat is split 50-50 and folds to provide 67.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Honda if it didn’t have one neat feature. In the CR-V’s case, it’s the rear cargo floor, which converts into a picnic table when the legs on the underside are folded down. Underneath is a waterproof bucket.

What’s unusual for a Honda is its column-mounted transmission lever. It also means that a four-speed automatic is the only transmission choice. It’s married to a 2.0-liter, double-overhead-cam four cylinder that provides a peppy 126 horsepower. True to this class, it could use a bit more power, especially if you load up this vehicle with people and stuff. It also means that this isn’t as serious anoff-roader as bigger sport utilities.

The 4WD system is Honda’s own, the first time Honda has engineered a truck. (The Passport is a rebadged Isuzu). Basically, it runs the vehicle in front-wheel drive until it senses that the rear wheels are turning slower than the front, at which time power is supplied out back. It’s completely automatic and needs no driver input.

This vehicle’s handling was like a tall front-wheel drive car with manageable body lean through the corners. It’s as good as any front-driver, thanks to Honda’s double wishbone suspension, but don’t expect anything sporty.

There’s sufficient noise present, too, but this is little different from its competitors, and isn’t bad, considering the small engine working up front. The supple suspension does an adequate job of smothering bumps, but this won’t be your first choice as a highway cruiser.

Fuel economy, while better than bigger sport utilities, is on the low side for a four-cylinder at just 2 3 mpg in mostly highway driving.

So what the CR-V seems to be is a moderately price 4WD drive alternative to the family van, station wagon or overpriced sport utility.

And Honda can’t build ’em fast enough.

The vehicle offers the look of a sport utility with the driving ease of a car. But it’s as sensible and responsible as its gray interior. If you’re looking for a sport utility, look elsewhere for the real thing. If you want a 4WD cargo/people handler and don’t need a truck, the CR-V is a great solution.

1998 Honda CR-V

Standard: 2.0-liter double overhead cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine, four-speed automatic transmission, RealTime 4WD, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, ventilated front-disc brakes with anti-lock, air-conditioning, 20-watt 4-speaker AM/FM stereo with clock, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, driver’s arm rest, cupholders, center tray table, removable picni c table,map light, cargo light, 205/70R15 tires, alloy wheels, rear window wiper/washer, exterior spare tire with cover.

Options: None

Base price: $20,300

As tested: $20,695

EPA rating: 22 mpg city, 25 mpg highway

Test mileage: 23 mpg