Hondas are the quiet achievers. They are very nearly always reliable for the first ten years or so, always efficient and always a comfortable, practical drive. I bet a whole lot of car manufacturers wish they could put a car together as well as Honda does. One of the nice things to report on Honda cars of recent times is that their design has taken a great leap forward. More aggressive lines and sportier overtones have made the classy Accord, Legend and Civic models very desirable cars. Has this beauty trickled over to Honda’s new CR-V? The answer is in the strong affirmative.

Carrying on the classy looks of the previous Honda CR-V model has to have been a top priority for the Honda design team. I liked the previous model’s clean lines and sharp design, however when I first set eyes on the gorgeous new Honda CR-V, now available in Australia, I rate this model as the best looking medium-sized SUV on the market. The Mazda CX-5 and CX-9, and the Peugeot 4008, push hard for the top spot – so too the new Hyundai Santa Fe (I’m looking forward to reviewing this one!). But I guess my tastes will be different to yours – and so they should be because what a boring lot we’d be if everybody liked what I liked.

To drive, the new Honda CR-V 2WD is very well balanced and quiet. Even on coarse chip the CR-V 2WD was silent and composed. The car’s solid feel and predictable handling sets it up for being a great family wagon – for which I’m sure will be the market sector Honda is aiming for. The new CR-V’s easy-to-use controls, excellent ergonomics and comfortable driving position go a long way to making this car a winner in my book, as these are the things that stand the test of ownership. A handy luggage space and a roomy cabin for front and rear passengers impress. There is 556 litres of cargo space available with the seats up and the view hider board in place. Set the rear seats flat, and the cavernous 1648 litres swallows a colossal amount of cargo.

Comfort is, firstly, found in the seats, and then in the cabin environment and features. Very well equipped, the Honda CR-V 2WD models have climate control, power windows, a sunroof, high-end communications, satellite navigation, leather upholstery and trim, heated seats and all sorts of handy storage compartments about the cabin. The CR-V’s efficiency is maximised via the ECON mode switch which automatically adjusts the Drive-by-Wire throttle, cruise control and air-conditioning systems for better fuel efficiency. Through subtle illumination on either side of the speedo, the Honda CR-V’s Eco Assist display shows you if you’re driving in an efficient way. Honda has also equipped the CR-V 2WD and 4WD with a comprehensive set of safety features. A well-earned five-star safety rating is standard.

As mentioned earlier, the new Honda CR-V looks special, indeed. Featuring plenty of chrome, a more muscular front bumper and grille, bold wheel arches, a curved rear glass window, alloy wheels as standard and bold HID headlights with Active cornering make for an SUV that looks a million bucks. I also am attracted to the nice finish to the CR-V back end, where the triangulated tall and bold rear brake lights are situated. If this wasn’t enough, and you could put down a little more cash, then the Modulo Sports Pack adds more finesse with the front Aero bumper, rear Aero bumper, rear tail gate spoiler, chrome sports grille, a side step set (metallic) and an even more distinctive set of alloys.

What powers the Honda CR-V 2WD? An inline four-cylinder petrol engine boasts 2.0-litre i-VTEC technology and a maximum of 114 kW at 6500 rpm. Torque peaks at 190 Nm at 4300 rpm. Smooth engine response and crisp performance comes via the six-speed manual or five-speed automatic options. Hondas are efficient, and it’s not surprising to find that this SUV manages a combined fuel economy in the mid sevens (litres/100 km).

A new Honda CR-V 2WD won’t disappoint. If you need some more traction for off-road adventure, then there is the 4WD CRV option.

The current Honda CR-V 2WD models include the:

• 2WD VTi
• 2WD VTi Navi

For any more information on the new Honda CRV or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Honda dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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