In all fairness, the DSM cars and the CRV are on the complete opposite ends of the spectrum of AWD. The DSM's (Eclipse, Talon, Stealth) were awesome cars, but extremely maintenance intensive. The CRV is barely even AWD; it is an on demand system, when the car/wheels/abs decides that you need more traction, power is sent to the back wheels. I think it might not even engage over 20mph (this is all on the first/second generations). It really the perfect AWD system for probably 80-90% of the people who "need" AWD--it would be perfect for us, definitely--but not a true AWD for the discussion of a power loss/efficiency loss discussion.
It really depends on the vehicle for me. In general, if it is AWD or FWD, I'll take AWD. If it is AWD or RWD, I'll take RWD--unless it is a truck. Then I'll take AWD, because it isn't any fun to drive anyways and it isn't my daily driver, so I may as well have it be useful in a pinch. (Says the guy who has had 2 RWD trucks).