Honda CR-V 2.0 SE+ T Auto 5dr Car Review - February 2012

One of the best things about driving a 4x4 is the fact that it does come with a high driving position that offers good visibility. The extra headroom means that taller people won’t be ducking down to avoid touching the roof, and the adjustability in the driving seat means that the driving position can be easily adjusted. The ride is designed more for comfort than an exciting driving experience, but the handling is efficient and the light steering responds well, although it is not so good when being driven off-road.

The 2.0 litre petrol engine can take this vehicle from 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds, and with a top speed of 118mph the CR-V is no slouch on the motorway either. Those who will be looking to tow a trailer or caravan using the vehicle may find that the pulling power is not superb, but those looking for such a feature may want to consider the more powerful diesel engines.

As with any 4x4 that is being designed mainly for use on the road, it is hard not to make the comparison with the Freelander, which is given a nod in the design of the CR-V. The inclusion of a two tier grille rather than the more traditional grille above an air intake gives the CR-V an interesting front end, and the back of the car is tidy and efficient. The alloy wheels that come with this version of the CR-V do complete the look of this 4x4 quite nicely.

Satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and a hands free kit all mean that this is a very useful vehicle for those who will do a lot of their business travel in rural areas. Adjustable front seats and air conditioning do give the car a little more luxury, but the option of leather seats would have made it an even more palatable car.

One of the biggest challenges for any 4x4 is to emphasise the practicality of the vehicle, because every car in this class is spacious with a hefty boot space and plenty of leg room in the front and back. The CR-V has all of these things, and the wide boot door and folding seats means that it is possible to use the CR-V to transport relatively large items when required.

The security equipment such as an alarm and an immobiliser are standard for most vehicles these days, and the locking wheel nuts help to ensure the alloy wheels stay firmly connected to the car. The CR-V was only given four stars in the Euro NCAP test which is quite unusual for a modern car, but the range of airbags and safety equipment are all present in the vehicle.

The list price of £24,570 for this CR-V is quite competitive when compared with other 4x4’s, but there are cheaper options available, and for those who won’t use Bluetooth connectivity or satellite navigation, they may not really be necessary. The CR-V comes with a three year warranty and three years breakdown cover.

Once the vehicle has been purchased it can offer a fuel performance of an average 34.4mpg, which isn’t tearing up any record books. Those who are looking for a better fuel performance may want to go for a lower level of trim with a diesel engine instead. Although the insurance group is quite high, those who do care about value will be glad to know that the depreciation in the 4x4’s in general is less than in more traditional cars.