The Wrangler has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CR-V’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.
The Wrangler Rubicon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The CR-V doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.
The Wrangler has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The CR-V doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door’s wheelbase is 12.1 inches longer than on the CR-V (118.4 inches vs. 106.3 inches).
For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Wrangler is 1.4 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CR-V.
The Wrangler’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the CR-V’s (57.6% to 42.4%). This gives the Wrangler more stable handling and braking.
For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the CR-V’s (32.7 feet vs. 37.3 feet).
For greater off-road capability the Wrangler 2-door has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the CR-V (9.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Wrangler Rubicon 4-door Xtreme 35’s minimum ground clearance is 4.7 inches higher than on the CR-V (12.9 vs. 8.2 inches).