I was looking at CR-V's and I noticed there's a pretty significant difference between the 07 and 09 CRV's.

The 07 is around 23 mpg city while the 09 is only 20 mpg.

Does anyone know why that's the case?

 

I know for one the federal ratings for MPG changed around 08ish because the posted mpg on the sticker of every car was overestimated and in best case scenario conditions. I remember when working at a honda dealership in 2007 that civic's posted 40mpg highway which is impossible to get.

 

You know what, with that being said, that totally clears things up now. Because it's the same with the Lexus IS-250. The 06-07 were 24 mpg city while the 08+ are at 21 mpg.

 

Here's a link with more info. They even have an "old" and "new" mpg comparison.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ratings2008.shtml

 

My 99 awd b20/vtec is getting 27mpg
Stock it was getting 24mpg.