SINCE it was introduced in 1995, more than five million CR-Vs have been sold across the world and the new fourth generation has been much redesigned for the European market, building on the success of its predecessors with greater quality, practicality and refinement.
For the first time, the CR-V is offered with a choice of two- and four-wheel drive on the 2.0 i-VTEC, while improvements to the petrol and 2.2 i-DTEC diesel engines have achieved significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, (though they are considerably less impressive than the headline figures of 119 g/km of CO2 and 62.8 mpg, for the firm's newly introduced 1.6i DTEC two-wheel drive version.)
At first glance, the new car doesn't look massively different from the model it replaces, but closer observation reveals a lower and shorter body, a more steeply raked rear screen and more distinctive front end, thanks to wrap-around headlights and the grille's prominent three chrome bars.
CR-V comes in four trim levels: S, SE, SR and EX. SE offers the best mix of kit, including Bluetooth, parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers and a leather steering wheel. SR trim adds heated, part-leather seats, xenon headlights and a DAB radio, while top-of-the-range EX trim adds full-leather seats, sat-nav, a panoramic glass roof and a powered tailgate. Further optional safety kit on SR and EX includes Honda's Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
The cabin has a solid, quality feel, with liberal use of soft-touch materials. Switchgear has a tactile and pleasing quality and seats are comfortable and supportive, offering a range of adjustment. Space also impresses in both the front and rear – there will be no complaints from passengers on head, shoulder or legroom – the latter helped by a lack of transmission tunnel hump. The CR-V provides a class-leading 589 litres of boot space, expanding to a vast 1648 litres seats down. Accessing this extra space couldn't be easier – a simple pull on a lever flips down the Honda's 60/40 split rear seats in one smooth motion.
The CR-V's handling isn't as sharp as an Accord's, but once you adjust to the different crossover/SUV character, it's acceptable. The ride does shimmy around a bit, but this doesn't detract from the car's ability to be both comfortable and dynamically satisfying – steering is accurate enough and brakes feel responsive and strong but not oversensitive. Refinement levels impress, too – there's some wind noise and road roar on the motorway, but it never gets intrusive.
The 2.2 litre diesel engine delivers strong performance while being suitably hushed, although the five-speed gearbox on this automatic version impacted on economy with a rather disappointing average 35mpg on mixed-route driving. The six-speed manual returns significantly better figures.
Verdict: This fourth-generation Honda CR-V builds on its predecessors' key qualities of comfortable, versatile and quality family transport.
Although economy and emissions of this 2.2i-DTEC auto model are somewhat off class best, customers demanding higher efficiency will undoubtedly be drawn to the new 1.6 i-DTEC clean diesel alternative.