HONDA CR-V ES HONDA CR-V 2.2 i-CDTi ES
 

However, the car's off-road roots haven't been totally forgotten - it is after all still capable of delivering power to all four wheels thanks to Honda's "real time" system which re-routes power from front-wheel drive to the rear wheels if it sense any loss of traction - with a black plastic trim, which runs along the sills and around to the edges of the bumpers, protecting the side from minor scuffs and scrapes.

With a new 2.0 litre petrol engine under the bonnet, joining the firm's acclaimed 2.2 litre i-CDTi, Honda is emphasising the CR-V's environmental credentials with the news that the petrol unit has lower emissions, higher mpg and better safety protection for pedestrians than a Mini Cooper S.

The diesel engine puts out even fewer emissions - and under the bonnet of the mid-range ES model the refinement it brings to the driving experience makes comparisons to saloons even more valid.

With a marked increase in the use of top quality plastics, the CR-V's interior is a pleasant place to be. There's plenty of room for five but although the rear bench has been split into a more useful 40:20:40 layout, with the two sides and centre able to fold independently of each other, it's a shame Honda has chosen not to fit its "magic seat" system from the Jazz and Civic allowing the seats to fold totally flat in one clever movement.

However, the CR-V's big 556 litre boot is superbly practical and now comes with an extra shelf below the traditional parcel cover to give extra storage space. With front, side and curtain airbags and vehicle stability assist as standard across all vehicles in the three-model range, Honda is expecting good safety results from the CR-V when it's officially tested by Euro NCAP. The firm predicts a maximum five stars for ***** crash protection, four out of five for child safety and three out of four stars for the pedestrian rating - a combination which would be better than any SUV currently on sale in the UK.

And with its slick six-speed gearbox, and car-like handling, the CR-V is certainly one of the most pleasant SUV's to drive too. The range starts at ??19,000 for the 2.0 litre petrol SE and rises to ??25,000 for the 2.2 i-CDTi EX. Best value seems to be the ??21,405 ES 2.2 diesel tested which comes with front and rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels (the SE model only comes rather stingily with steel rims), privacy glass, independent dual zone climate control and power folding wing mirrors.

It feels far classier than both the Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV 4 - and with a more sensible rear hatch replacing the previous model's side-opening tailgate, the CR-V really does combine car-like qualities with all the best bits from more traditional SUVs. And with its impressive emissions ratings and compact size, at least Honda has removed most of the guilt currently associated with the purchase of any vehicle which can power all four wheels.

Max power: 138bhp at 4,000rpm and 340Nm (251 lb ft) torque at 2,000rpm

PERFORMANCE:

0-62mph - 10.3 seconds

Max speed - 116mph

ECONOMY: 43.5mpg combined

CO2 emissions/TAX %: 173/24%

INSURANCE GROUP: 12

STANDARD EQUIPMENT: front, side and curtain airbags; vehicle stability assist; front and rear parking sensors; independent dual zone climate control; privacy glass; 17-inch alloy wheels; power-folding wing mirrors

Source: [url=http://www.tottenhamjournal.co.uk/content/islington/gazette/Motors/story.aspx?brand=ISLGOnline&category=CarReviews&tB rand=islgonline&tCategory=CarReviews&itemid=WeED17 %20May%202007%2014%3A46%3A27%3A270]Tottenham, Wood Green and Edmonton Journal[/url]