The Honda CR-V doesn’t have the same appeal as a BMW X3 or Audi Q5, but the latest Swindon-built CR-V certainly makes up for it with very good build and solid design. It’s a big SUV, but it still drives very well, especially if you opt for the powerful 2.2-litre diesel model and quick manual gearbox. For the first time, the CR-V is available with two-wheel drive. The big downside, though, is that the CR-V still comes as a five-seater instead of offering seven seats. Honda’s CR-V doesn’t differ from other SUVs on the market in that it looks the same, but it should be noted that it’s more eye-catching than its predecessor.

Honda’s latest styling, a combination of angular and rounded shapes, is used to good effect in the CR-V. It manages to look solid and rough. The interior is also an improvement both in terms of quality and design. Although the CR-V is a big, tall car, it drives well and offers a comfortable ride. The 2.2-liter diesel gives usable oomph, but it’s quiet on the highway. The 2.0-liter engine is also quiet and refined. Try not to use the five-speed automatic option as if it feels old-fashioned and lazy compared to the fast manual. The power steering is fully electric but feels lifeless.

The Honda CR-V comes equipped with a safety kit, which also includes an advanced stability control system. It also featured Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System. This system monitors the distance of the CR-V for the impact with the car in front and automatically brakes when detecting the collision. It also has a high seating position that offers a great view of the road. Honda is the champion of reliability and the new CR-V should continue this tradition as it is solidly built and designed. It has enlarged windows that give the driver a commanding view of the road.

These large windows also help visibility. The trunk is larger and there is also plenty of storage space in the cabin. The CR-V can now have two-wheel drive, but it will only be available with the petrol engine until 2013, when a new 1.6-litre diesel will join the range. The best option for now is the 2.2-liter diesel, since it offers good performance and is economical (it manages almost 50 mpg) and ecological. The top-spec EX variant is the best-seller, coming with 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, sat-nav, xenon lights, parking camera, climate control, leather upholstery and DAB radio as standard. .

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