My wife just bought the very model of CRV you are testing - even the same colour!
I agree with most of your comments. I have noticed the brake dive (which is not a deal breaker but there) and the road noise is hard to pinpoint because this CUV is exceptionally quiet otherwise - the noise really varies more on the road surface than by speed.
We looked at the Mazda CX5 as the only other viable competitor ( in terms of size, quality, features etc) . Really wanted my wife to like it because we had bought many other Mazda's from that dealer and love their service and the advance reviews were pretty good. But, the Mazda CX-5 was a no go in a few critical areas for her (and me in some areas):
a) she could not get comfortable with the centre console/armrest - it did not extend far enough forward for her to rest her right arm on it when the seat was where it needed to be for her.
b) she felt claustrophobic in it compared to her Mazda 5 van and the CRV.
c) the back seat windows did not allow our kids to see out as well as in the CRV - too high.
d) the HVAC control readouts are hard to see in the bright sun as they are so low in the dash area.
d) It is a slug power wise - could barely merge to 80K with 4 of us in it on a flat road - I mean it is the least powerful vehicle I have driven since the heydays of the early 80's when manufacturers were struggling with new emissions and fuel economy.
So, the CRV is not perfect. It does not drive as well as the CX5 in terms of all out handling and its dash materials are hard plastic - but for her and me, the combination of outward visibility, the dash layout, ease of use, relaxing nature to drive, overall design (better back seat room than anything else) and good dealership sold us. As well, not a squeak or rattle in it so far - something I can't say was the case with my Hyundai Veracruz when I bought it.
So while not what I would by for me, works great for her - to each his own.