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Although the all-new, third-generation 2007 Honda CR-V is likely to appeal to buyers of all ages and both genders, Honda's target audience for its redesigned small SUV is women in their early 30s with a child under two. And when you drive the new CR-V, it's obvious the company had this audience in mind from the very beginning. The size of the previous-generation CR-V, for instance, was a major selling point for owners (60 percent of whom are women), so the new one hasn't grown any larger. It shares a platform with the latest Civic, yet has a shorter wheelbase than even the coupe. From nose to tail, it's 3 inches longer than a Ford Escape and 3 inches shorter than a Toyota RAV4.With the dimensions set, company designers focused on making the Honda CR-V more practical for the owner with a toddler in one arm and groceries in the other. Accordingly, the previous model's side-hinged rear gate and exterior-mounted spare tire were dumped in favor of a lightweight overhead liftgate and an under-floor spare. A foldable, removable shelf (available on EX and EX-L models) was fitted to the 35.7-cubic-foot cargo bay to allow two-tier loading. Additionally, the rear doors open a full 90 degrees and have numerous detents within their opening range to keep them from swinging back while you're bent over buckling in an infant. Unlike last year, all three rear seating positions have the LATCH setup for car seats, and once you're on the road, a front-seat sunglasses holder with a built-in conversation mirror takes the neck-twisting out of being an attentive parent.But it's not all baby-specific upgrades. The interior design, for example, is sharper and less utilitarian than before and materials are higher in quality. Additionally, there's a standard input jack for MP3 players, and for the first time, you can get a navigation system. With the nav installed, you also get gadgets like a PC card reader and a rear backup camera. On the road, it's obvious Honda paid more attention to handling dynamics than in years past, as the third-gen CR-V feels stable and confident around corners and has excellent steering feel.The one thing you might not like about this new Honda is its lack of a V6, something that compact foes like the Escape and RAV4 happen to offer. The CR-V still has a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder as its sole power plant, although horsepower nudges up 10 from last year to 166. Paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, the 2.4-liter provides adequate acceleration in most situations, but you'll probably wish for more torque during passing maneuvers on highway grades.For buyers who don't need the quickest small SUV out there, though, the 2007 Honda CR-V is an excellent choice in the under-$30,000 price bracket. It's smooth and stable on the road, intelligently designed on the inside, and more refined than just about any competitor you can name.