Review: Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC EX (Price as tested £34,670)

Honda has sold more than 7.2 million since 1997, including 250,000 right here in the UK, and each new generation has quietly ironed out the quirks.

Strange then that it should launch the 2015 CR-V with one of the quirkiest TV car adverts for sometime (the one where the CR-V keeps driving around the same bit of mountain road, while the catchy tune from the Brit horror flick Twisted Nerve plays in the background - see below).

The latest CR-V, which is built in the UK, even spent time pounding round the famous Nurburgring race track, although the average buyer will almost certainly place greater emphasis on the CR-V’s practical cabin and its commanding driving position.

ON THE ROAD:

This is the fourth generation CR-V. It’s been on sale for a couple of years but a mid-life refresh at the start of the year has brought it bang up to date. New bumpers, restyled headlights and larger alloy wheels give the latest model a more purposeful look, but all the important stuff is going on beneath the bonnet.

You can still buy the ‘old’ 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel but who will want one when they drive the latest twin-turbo version? The standard 1.6 makes 120PS but the hotted up variant hikes the power to a far more agreeable 160PS. That’s enough to slash 1.5 seconds off the 0-62mph acceleration with only a modest reduction in fuel consumption (62.8mpg plays 57.7mpg). Pity the poor 2.0-litre petrol model which has less power, a lot less torque, inferior performance and 38.2mpg fuel economy. It might be cheaper but you’ll regret it.

The 1.6-litre twin turbo engine feels as frisky as a 2.0-litre and on the motorway the CR-V is noticeably quieter.Despite the Nurburgring influence Honda has wisely opted for a comfortable ride. The automatic gearbox on the test car is a good fit with the higher output diesel. the silky smooth change makes driving in stop-start traffic smooth and stress-free.

ON THE INSIDE:

With the new HR-V, Honda now has two family-sized compact crossovers competing in Europe’s fastest growing motoring market segment.

The CR-V is a bit bigger, the HR-V is a bit newer.

The CR-V is two inches wider, nearly a foot longer and a couple of inches higher but it’s not until you line them up next to each other that the difference is clear.

Although the fourth generation CR-V is actually lower than its predecessor – so it’s easier to get in and out of – Honda has mounted the seats as high as it could to give drivers the high perch that distinguishes SUVs from “lesser” hatchbacks. The expansive glass area also improves forward visibility and the A-pillars don’t interfere with peripheral vision too badly.

In the back, the seats are actually 38mm lower than before to make up for the downward sweep of the roof.

Cabin quality is very good. The CR-V’s instrument layout is more restrained than the split-level design Honda used on the Civic hatchback – but the touchscreen infotainment user interface is cluttered and confusing.

Even something as simple as changing radio stations requires too much input. In a car, something as fundamental as re-tuning to a new frequency should be a single button stab but the CR-V’s touchscreen was a finger-stabbing nightmare. Of course you can use the steering wheel buttons but this, too, failed my intuitiveness test – I could do no more than call up a list of station pre-sets without recourse to the owner’s manual.

As in-car entertainment becomes more sophisticated (and the Honda unit is capable of some very impressive feats) the need for a simple UI becomes ever more important.

WHAT DO YOU GET:

The range-topping EX model on test comes with the full gamut of crossover kit including hill start assist, hill descent control, city-braking, emergency stop signalling, lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. The audio head unit is an unusual 7-inch touchscreen which swivels to reveal a hidden CD player. Honda’s infotainment solution includes a basic internet browser and online radio. Navigation duties are handled by Garmin. The CR-V’s radio tuner is DAB+ compatible - the digital format favoured by much of Europe but not, as yet, the UK - for complete future-proofing.

Best of all, the CR-V is available as a full blown 4x4 - a feature that’s becoming surprisingly scarce in a class where some manufacturers think looks are more important than ability.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT?

The CR-V has a useful 589 litre luggage space. A low boot lip makes light work of loading heavy objects and an electric boot opener is a Godsend when you have armfuls of carrier bags. When you want to extend the carrying capacity handles on the rear seat bases make them flip and tumble in one simple movement.

RUNNING COSTS:

Both diesels are easy on fue (and your wallet) but the higher power model’s 133g/km of CO2 means you’ll pay £140 a year for your road tax if you go for a 4WD variant with the automatic gearbox. The 2WD version and the lower power 1.6 diesel both slip into the cheaper (£140) tax band.

VERDICT:

The latest CR-V changes are more of a case of smoothing off a few rough edges than anything radical because the basic car was a winner when it launched in 2012. You'll search in vain for quirks these days.

If you want a comfortable and dependable SUV then Honda has you covered. Young families will probably want to take a close look at the HR-V first, though.

Model: Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC EX.

Price: £34,120 (£34,670 as tested).

SPEC: Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel.

Max power: 160PS.

Max torque: 360Nm.

Top speed: 122mph.

0-62mph: 10.6 seconds (automatic).

Fuel consumption: (official combined) 55.4mpg.

CO2: 133 g/km VED: £200 first year then £140