Steady as she goes

Honda knows how to make a good diesel engine. Under the bonnet of this 2015 CR-V is the latest – and frankly the greatest – of them all as Matt Kimberley reports

Not much has changed on the face of things for Honda’s CR-V, with the recognisable styling continuing almost the same into the new model. Honda’s image is more about reliability, dependability and safety, with its cars having been revealed in a recent ownership survey as being the most reliable on British roads. Anyone who thinks that’s a bad thing needs their head examining. Space and practicality Inside, the boot is perhaps not as large as you might hope, thanks to two large wheel-arch intrusions. They inevitably end up scratched whenever you put large items like mountain bikes in, so you’re better off using the roof rails to mount a rack for bulky objects. The doors open wide, the chunky and comfortable seats are easy to slide on to even if your knees are past their best, and the mountain of headroom is exaggerated by the panoramic sunroof. Behind the wheel The CR-V instantly marks its territory with its size. It’s a big thing, make no mistake. It’s not one for those nervous about parking, although there are automated systems and a brilliantly clear reversing camera to help out there. Overall, its most impressive facet is the engine. The higher-powered of the two 1.6 i-DTEC engines in the range coughs up an amazing 160 horsepower. It translates to much stronger acceleration than you’d probably expect. It rides well – settled at all times and able to deal with the worst potholes without injuring your back. It’s also incredibly stable, tracking true even when pushed out of its comfort zone through fast corners. Although it’s four-wheel drive you’ll never really notice it working unless you frequently drive up wet grassy hills. The big Honda can tow up to two tonnes though, so for horse or caravan owners this could be the CR-V you really need to go for. Value for money This flagship strays into premium car territory but does pack a lot more equipment than a similarly priced Audi or Mercedes. Ultimately, this is a spacious family car that will give you everyday practicality, bags of technology and peerless peace of mind.

Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC 160 EX Price: From £32,470

Engine: 1.6-litre turbodiesel producing 158bhp and 266lb/ft

Transmission: Six-speed manual driving all four wheels

Performance: Top speed 122mph, 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds Economy: 55.4mpg combined Emissions: 133g/km of CO2