How much of a difference is there between the 2wd and the 4wd CRV. I'm never going to take it off-road but was more concerned mostly with safety. How much of a difference is there in the handling, especially in rain/snow.

 

Well obviously the difference is pretty big and justifies the premium. The RealTime 4WD system on the CR-V really helps it in the snow, and in the rain as well. On www.honda.com you can find some good descriptions and prolly some vids of how the system works. It's the same system as in the old CR-V's as well.