The styling of this current CRV is starting to grow on me, but its fuel economy is becoming its most attractive feature. The CRV’s front end still reminds me of a funny/popular poster of an old man with no teeth, his lower jaw sticking out, and upper lip sucked in.
I hope that Honda would consider offering their new Diesel engine option slated for the 2009 Acura TSX, as an available option for the 2009 CRV. I would buy a 2009 CRV that had the new Diesel engine, and preferably a 6 speed manual transmission in a heartbeat if they offered it….even if they didn’t change the front end styling.
I don't think that the diesel engine has been officially confirmed for the TSX yet...have you heard otherwise? I think it was just a rumor like the RDX's turbo engine in the TSX, which turned out to be a false rumor.
Since they cut the manual transmission from the gas-powered CR-V, I doubt they'd add it back in for a diesel.
If you want good fuel economy and a manual transmission from a compact crossover, you might want to look at the Jeep Patriot. I haven't driven one, but with the available five-speed manual and AWD, it gets 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined (US EPA ratings, US gallons). For comparison, the CR-V AWD is rated in the same system as 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. So the Jeep might actually be a class-leader in fuel economy right now (talk about bizarro opposite universe!).
Plus, the Jeep is in my opinion a much better-looking vehicle (as long as we're mentioning the CR-V's bizarre exterior styling):
On the other hand, refinement should be a hands-down victory for the Honda.