Honda CR-V 2.2i-DTEC EX

Honda car review: JOHN GRIFFITHS

What is it?

The fourth generation of Honda’s sector-pioneering compact SUV, first launched in 1995 and of which over 5m units have been sold world-wide.

Better late than never, the new Honda CR-V joins its main rivals  in offering an entry-level,  two-wheel-drive version – an innovation which, says UK corporate sales manager Gail Chambers, will help it cover 78 per cent of the available market, not the 40 per cent to which the outgoing model has been restricted.

• Check out full pricing and company car tax for the CR-V

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She expects about 30 per cent of Swindon-built CR-V sales to go to fleet and business users; broadly in line with Honda’s overall sales, although Honda is making a determined new pitch at business users with its latest, also Swindon-built C-sector Civic hatchback.

A 12 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared with the (none-too-impressive in CO2 terms) outgoing CR-V, takes the business user-focused manual 2.2 litre diesel to fractionally below the sub-150g/km company car tax and VED thresholds.

Sharper styling, ingenious space utilisation, improved ride and driving dynamics, plus a high spec-per-pound, also lie behind Honda’s proclaimed hopes of cranking up CR-V sales significantly. The new Honda CR-V models are due to go on sale in late October.

Paul Ormond, Honda UK’s corporate affairs chief, acknowledges that the fourth-generation range has needed to represent a big step forward from the outgoing model – “it’s a very important vehicle to us and we know we’ve got to raise our game. There’s now a lot more competition in the sector.”

• The diesel squeezes in below the 150g/km CO2 threshold – take note for your company car tax

Ormond’s reference to the importance of the model is not mere hype. Since 2005 the share of the UK’s new car market taken by SUVs has doubled, with no significant slowdown in sight.

But what competition?

Honda executives like to lump in the CR-V with ‘prestige’ sector compact SUVs – notably Audi’s Q5, Volvo’s XC60, BMW’s X3 and Land Rover’s Freelander – as most natural rivals. But that is to ignore a wider array of less prestigious but very competent and keenly priced competitors like Mazda’s innovative, also smartly-styled and considerably more fuel and emissions-efficient CX-5, and Kia’s impressive Sportage and Sorento models, not to mention Hyundai’s ix35 and all–new Santa Fe models; all of which can make strong cases for themselves in the marketplace.

What’s hot

• At last – a two wheel-drive option, like rivals
• Much improved styling – among best-looking in class
• 6.5 per cent better aerodynamics; reduced wind noise
• Useful powered tailgate and one-press, fold-down rear seats
• Increased interior room, headroom and boot space
• An automatic option with diesel – some rivals take note
• ‘Eco’ mode to encourage fuel-efficient driving

What’s not

• 12 per cent CO2 improvement still leaves Honda no standard-setter
• Looks expensive against other competent newcomers

Business Car Manager road test verdict