Honda CR-V packed with extras

There's a question in

's 4x4 press kit, which goes: what is the general direction for the latest CR-V?

The firm's own 50-word waffle-along answer can be readily dismissed and substituted with one: up.

Forget the old CR-V - it's nothing at all like the striking new model, which is a different car for a different market. What was once a middling off-roader is now a sports utility superstar.

Indeed, you can now forgive any CR-V owner for developing a superiority complex: incredibly, the EX, or top-of-range, CR-V's equipment list is stuffed to bursting with no less than 85 items - three of them in the advanced safety pack of active front lights, cruise control, and collision-braking, which applies the anchors if you get too close to the car in front.

A standard items list has never looked so good - it's the kind of offer-you-can't-refuse package that would make any Corleone family Don proud.

Each and every bit of kit - MP3 connection, DVD sat-nav, rear parking camera, panoramic glass roof, and even the double-decker cargo shelf - strongly underscores Honda's easy upward step into the sophisticated world of BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander2, and so on.

But the mark-up is much less. Honda is asking just £23,527 for the CR-V 2.0i EX and all that comes with it, or £25,527 with the Advanced Safety Pack.

The tested 1,997cc petrol engine, with six-speed manual gearbox, may not make up too many of the 22,000 new CR-Vs Honda expects to sell in Britain each year, because the acclaimed 2.2-litre turbo diesel unit will take the lion's share.

The diesel returns 43.5mpg on the combined cycle, against the petrol's 34.9mpg - so the high mileage motorist should opt for the oil burner.

Don't split hairs over choice - both power packs make for good towing vehicles, with not-so-hot ground clearance, the CR-V isn't going to see a lot of mud sucking away at the tyres on its 18-inch alloy wheels.

The 2.0i CR-V is an easy mover up to the legal limit, capable of 118mph, and quicker than it looks with the 0 to 62mph time at 10.2 seconds.

It holds the road well, with the chassis and suspension stifling most of the body roll, and the comfort in the roomy cabin equals your favourite armchair - the EX leather interior helps.

Four-wheel drive is part-time, but all four wheels will be driven if the automatic set-up senses the need for it.

The inclusion of a space-saver spare wheel has boosted boot space to a standard 556-litres, about double that of a small family car. Flip down the rear seats to treble that capacity if you load it up to the glass roof.

Finally, among the mainstream manufacturer warranties - let's exclude the Hyundai and Kia five and seven-year deals - Honda's is one of the most realistic, over three years or 90,000 miles' use, with five years on the exhaust, plus 12-years' structural corrosion cover.

By Peter Carroll

HONDA CR-V FACTFILE

Price: Honda CR-V 2.0i EX £23,527, on the road. CR-V range from 2.0 Selection £18,827 to 2.2i-CDTi EX £24,717.

Engine: 2.0-litre petrol unit developing 148bhp.

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the four wheels on demand.

Performance: Maximum speed 118mph, 0-62mph 10.2 seconds.

CO2 emissions: 192g/km.Economy: 34.9mpg.