Get the CRV. 5 speed.
Get it at a good price so that you can buy the following:
New lighter rims and sticky tires.
Suspension dropped and stiffened up.
B18C or B16A head on the B20 block to add the nice VTEC performance. with I/H/E and any other goodies you want.
Turbo?
Take out any extra crap that you'll never use for weight reduction... (lighter/sportier seats?)

Then you'll have a grocery and Kiddie hauler that will HAUL...

Might give you alittle of both worlds there...