Since its introduction to the SA market a few years back, Honda’s CR-V has built up a loyal following, and is now one of the top selling crossover utility vehicles (CUV) currently on the market. Now in its third incarnation, the CR-V, also known as the “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle”, is more refined than ever, but like all Honda’s, its trademark DNA is found throughout the vehicle. Incidentally, internationally, the CR-V is the top-seller in the CUV market, with over 2.5 million CR-Vs sold in 160 countries around the globe.

All this global popularity obviously has resulted from the CR-V’s strong balance of attributes: compact size, surprising utility, good fuel economy and affordability. But no one would argue it has been the prettiest, quickest or most fun to drive CUV on the market. Those are the areas on which Honda designers and engineers concentrated in developing this third-generation model. In addition to improving its interior comfort, convenience and quietness, they decided to take it in a more emotional direction: “cooler, sexier, more fun to own and drive”. 

To make the CR-V tighter and more solid with a more sedan-like feel, they stiffened its structure, lowered its center of gravity – mostly by lowering its powertrain and relocating the spare tyre from the back of the CR-V to under the body – and redesigned its suspension. These changes, plus wider tracks and larger 17″ wheels and wide 225/65 tyres, have improved handling significantly. It’s no sports sedan through the twisties, but it is entertaining enough and works reasonably well without detracting from ride quality on inconsistent surfaces.

The tried and tested 2.4-litre i-VTEC four pumps out 122 kw and peak torque of 220 nm. The engine is more efficient and revs smoothly and cleanly to a redline of 7000. In terms of outright acceleration, the CR-V feels brisk, despatching 100 km/h from standstill in under 10 seconds, while in terms of stopping, the large ventilated brakes bring it to a standstill from just about any speed with zero fuss. Pottering around town, the K24 engine has plenty of grunt low down, with minimal gear changes required. Once you are on the freeway, just slap it into sixth gear and cruise. It’s as simple as that. Slightly enhanced fuel efficiency results from a 10 percent reduction in aerodynamic drag.  Tipping the scales at over 1.5 tons, the CR-V is no lightweight, and this shows on trips between the pumps, with our test unit averaging 10.1l/100kms. Although that may sound impressive, with the fuel price nearing R10 per litre, it works out to roughly R1/km.

Aside from enhanced image and utility, one factor that sets a crossover utility apart from regular cars is availability of all-wheel drive. The CR-V’s AWD is an improved real-time system that communicates with the standard Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) to sense impending instability and shifts torque where it’s needed to prevent it. It’s no serious off-roader, though, and it weighs some 40 kgs more than the ’06 model thanks mostly to the stronger structure and more standard feature content. The CR-V has a dynamic stance, plus a double grille, an arching roofline and rugged-looking lower body cladding. Style is always subjective, but some have said its nearly flat roof that preserves headroom and cargo space clashes somewhat awkwardly with the stylishly arched window line.

Inside, although there is plenty of Honda input in terms of ergonomics, you cannot discount the Euro-effect on styling of the CR-V. The sumptuous leather is smooth and elegant, while the front seats offer plenty of lateral support as well as movable armrests. The entire dash is tastefully laid out and everything is easy to reach from the electric adjusted driver’s seat. The ICE system is also top notch, with all the controls also mounted on the multifunction leather-clad steering wheel. The solid gearshift falls easy to hand despite its unconventional location, and after a while you have yourself saying “that all cars should have it there”. Gearshifts are meaty, and apart from the long throw, feels almost identical to that on the Civic Type-R. The dual climate control deserves special mention thanks to its supreme effectiveness and ease-of-use. Another feature which I loved was the standard xenon headlights, that provide exceptional lighting over the regular halogen units at night. One only realizes how effective and essential xenon headlights once you drive a vehicle fitted with these.

The large, round speedometer and tachometer are precisely marked. A new standard trip computer offers fuel economy and range information, ambient lighting is cool blue, and all switches are illuminated with transparent blue LEDs. One thing that struck about the CR-V was the amount of usable storage areas. In fact, everywhere you look you are bound to find a storage area, such is the practicality of this vehicle. The rear seats are already prepped for child seats, ideal for young parents – a key CR-V target market.  The rear seats can also slide back and forth, making this an extremely practical family vehicle. Our test unit was also equipped with a power sunroof with easy operation at the touch of a button. On the safety side, as expected, the CR-V is fully loaded. Packing six airbags, active head restraints as well as an Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure to spread frontal crash energy more evenly between vehicles of different sizes, the CR-V has scored a commendable 4 stars in the benchmark Euro NCAP rating.

Most folks will agree that this elegant new-generation CR-V is a major improvement over the satisfying but bland ‘box’ it replaces. Ditto for its driving dynamics, comfort, quietness and utility. And with the CR-V range retailing from around R309,000, it certainly is a lot of car for your money. There is also a diesel model in the range. A great all-rounded vehicle, ideal for young parents, and together with a 5 year/100000km service plan, makes this the perfect vehicle for the daily commute. If you want to make a statement, the awesome head-turning CR-V is the perfect vehicle.