28/11/08

• Price25,130
• We like...Cabin space; easy to drive
• We don't...Clattery diesel engine

Easy-driving, smooth-riding off-roader is a school-run favourite. But will it prove to be the best buy for you?Makers of off-roaders bang on endlessly about how ‘car like’ their products are to drive. This puzzles us. Don’t most drivers buy 4x4s precisely because they are different at the wheel from a regular family hatchback?

But if they use ‘car like’ to mean ‘a cinch to pilot’ then Honda’s CR-V takes the honours...easily. While it delivers the high-set driver’s seat we all want from a 4x4, Honda’s worked harder than any other to give its controls smooth responses and an easy touch. And inside, a car-like cabin, a big windscreen and a sloping bonnet make it easy to see out and manuvre in tight spaces, while on our top-flight EX model a camera pointed rearwards helps out when reversing.

The diesel engine may be economical and return low emissions figures. But it dulls the polish that the CR-V shows elsewhere. It’s willing enough and flexible through the gears. But there’s a fair bit of old-style clatter to it, most apparent when starting from cold.

In town, the CR-V smoothes the bumps well enough and corners flat and serenely at modest speeds. It’s not a car you’ll want to fling into bends, though –lack of feel from the steering discourages that.

Honda makes no claim that the CR-V will mix it over rough ground as well as, say, a Land Rover Freelander. It dsn’t have the Freelander’s ground clearance or its all-conditions suspension settings and 4x4 systems. Most of the time, the CR-V is powered by its front wheels only. It will send power also to the rears if the going gets slippy – and that’s enough to get you across a field or along an icy road.And, frankly, that’s all most of us need.

Inside, there’s a huge cabin, packing more room than any other of its direct rivals. Park next to a Freelander and you’ll notice that it’s a good bit longer, too.

The boot area is well thought out, offering a variable-height parcel shelf that permits two-tier loading. Note, though that the shelf is only good to carry 10kgs, so it’s not for heavy suitcases or for big dogs to squat upon. As you’d expect, the seats also fold neatly to free up space for bikes or trips to the tip.

If you go for the top-drawer EX model, as we have, it is very well equipped. Alloy wheels, leather seats, heated up front, a big glass roof with a blind, satellite navigation, privacy glass and two-zone climate controlled air conditioning. But it is expensive: if we were buying, we’d go for the ES, forego the panoramic roof and glass roof and save ourselves about £3000.

However, if the new price of any CR-V seems a bit much, a second-hand one will make a top buy. The car’s been around in various guises for over 10 years, so you’ll find ones on motors.co.uk at all prices.

One thing we have mentioned yet is Honda’s reliability, which is second to none, and as strong for the CR-V as it is for any of its range mates.

We like the CR-V. While we can’t agree that it drives like a saloon, it is a friendly thing to spend time in, comfortable and dependable. It’s up there with the best.

View new and second-hand Honda CR-Vs on motors.co.uk

• Engines2.2 turbodiesel
• Power138bhp
• 0-60 mph10.3secs
• Economy43.5mpg
• CO2g/km173
• Insurance groups12
• EuroNCAP
• Airbags6
• Seats5

Motors.co.uk value verdict: