the cr-v is an all wheel drive system meaning it powers the fronts until the rears slip...this gives it better fuel mileage instead of losing gas powering the rear wheels when un-needed...you can search around the web or go to the honda dealer and read a brochure on how the cr-v's awd system worked

the civic 4wd was that...all time 4wd which hurts gas mileage...only the 6spd tranny worked with the 4wd system