I recently had a wonderful stroll in the bush where I could smell the twang of eucalyptus, hear the birds in the canopy and taste some wild raspberries while enjoying the moment. An opportunity to get off the road, out of the car and head for a swim in a mountain stream when the summer temperatures were soaring was another satisfying activity that I was privileged to enjoy with my twelve year old daughter on our way back home. To get to the best locations, and to experience some of the less populated and attractive out-of-the way spots, it’s wise to have the use of a competent 4WD vehicle. You won’t necessarily need the services of a fulltime, heavy-duty 4×4 for crossing rivers but something as proficient as the new Honda CR-V 4WD might be the perfect getaway vehicle for those who enjoy the outdoors, with the odd light off-road challenge.

There are plenty of new light vehicles on the market that will take you off the beaten track. However, if you’re after something a little special, then the Honda CR-V AWD package is a gem. Classy for any occasion, and really practical, the CR-V AWD sets the standards for light off-road duties, efficiency and comfort. The vehicle not only looks and feels great, it impresses with its compact, roomy and fun drive. Power from the four-cylinder engine is good, and it remains quiet and energetic from low to high engine load. Because Honda’s SUV is quiet, it is easy to creep up way beyond the speed limit. Maximum power is 140 kW at 7000 rpm, while maximum torque is found in the mid-range at 222 Nm. A combined fuel economy figure of 8.7 litres/100 km is great for an AWD, petrol-fed SUV.

Tasting outdoor adventure the Honda way means that you are going to be able to rough it in style. The exterior of the roomy Honda SUV is the nicest around – in my book, anyway. And that’s even when I match the new Honda CR-V AWD up with the likes of the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and sharp looking Volvo XC60. The CRV has the right amount of curves, balanced proportions and top finish with plenty of chrome detailing to set the new CR-V AWD off superbly. In the metal, the car is outstanding. Honda’s engineers have managed to refine and streamline the already tasteful lines of the outgoing CR-V. Big, vertical brake lights, a swooping roofline and deeply set Halogen headlights are some of the new model’s nice-looking features. Also, a lower bumper wraps upward to integrate with a larger grille, to give a blend of elegance and sportiness.

Technology inside the new Honda CR-V AWD is leading-edge, with premium quality and functionality being of high importance to how Honda has put the CR-V together. Take the new Halogen HID headlights for instance, which offer superb night vision. Not only are the lights immensely bright but they also move to the direction of the corner – hence the system is called Active Cornering (standard on the Honda CR-V 4WD VTi-L model). Another technological whiz for the new CR-V is the car boasts Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (MAEPS), giving the car great feedback for any condition. How about the advantage of Hill Start Assist? Hill Start Assist prevents the CR-V AWD from rolling back when starting on an incline. An electronic sensor controls the brake pressure so that an easy take off on a steep hill becomes a piece of cake.

The Honda CR-V 4WD is a very safe vehicle, gaining a five-star ANCAP crash test result. One of the clever safety features, and there are many, is that the CR-V’s front seats have specific spring range settings in both the seat back and bottom cushions. If by some chance some “clever Dick” doesn’t notice the bright, tall brake lights on your CR-V 4WD, and ploughs into the back of the car, these spring settings will help lessen the severity of any neck injuries.

Underneath the CR-V’s pretty looks, lies the Real Time AWD system that cleverly engages once any detection of a loss of traction in the front wheels has occurred. For the most part, the 4WD system is never used, saving big bucks on fuel and undue wear. Most of the time people drive on roads that never require the use of AWD. But just occasionally, when the road turns to custard or the weather turns nasty, the advantage of having the comfort of Real Time AWD traction to get you out of trouble or prevent you from getting stuck is very attractive. Actually, you can take the Honda CR-V AWD over some pretty testing off-road terrain, and the AWD system works very well to get you through the mud and over soft ground.

With an interior that matches the beauty of the swooping exterior lines, the cabin is luxurious. Leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation via the touch screen in the centre of the dash, rear reversing cameras, Multi-media Audio with USB and iPod connection, dual-zone climate control, and an information display for all the important bits of information to do with your travel and how the car is performing are great features for any luxury vehicle.

When you are blessed with talent and good looks, things get a whole lot easier. Honda’s new CR-V AWD has my big tick.

The current Honda CR-V 4WD models include the:

• CR-V 4WD VTi
• CR-V 4WD VTi-S
• CR-V 4WD VTi-L

For any more information on the new Honda CR-V 4WD 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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