SALUTE THE FLAGSHIP

VALUE

The flagship version of Honda’s popular CR-V mid-size SUV is from $47,750-$49,350 on the road. Buy before the end of the year and there’s a seven-year warranty backed by a seven-year roadside assist deal. The VTi-LX is equipped with leather-accented upholstery, heated front seats, digital radio, panoramic sunroof and LED lights. Servicing occurs every 12 months/ 10,000km and is capped at $295 for each visit.

COMFORT

A spacious interior is a CR-V trademark and there’s plenty of space in the front or back, though the third row is a kids-only affair, as is the norm with mid-size 5+2 seaters. The ergonomics are good and the overall layout doesn’t give much away to its rivals, with decent storage space and soft-touch surfaces. The seven-inch infotainment screen handles smartphone mirroring but looks mundane and doesn’t operate with the classiness of the rest of the car.

SAFETY

Autonomous emergency braking is found only on the VTi-LX, bundled with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Honda more than holds its own in crash tests. ANCAP rates it a five-star car, awarding a score of 35.76/37 when tested last year. Six airbags are standard.

DRIVING

Comfort is the motivating force for the CR-V and it succeeds in being a supple drive without being too soft and spongy over speed humps. The 1.5-litre turbo’s outputs are respectable but the continuously variable transmission saps some performance in a bid to save fuel. The steering is accurate without much feedback and the VTI-LX has the reassurance of all-wheel drive for venturing down sand or dirt tracks.

ALTERNATIVES

VW TIGUAN COMFORTLINE $46,260-$48,100 D/A Similar safety gear and a responsive 2.0-litre turbo make the VW a serious rival to the CR-V. It atones for its firmer ride around town by being more accomplished as the speedo sweeps towards triple digits. KIA SPORTAGE $48,900-$50,120 D/A

A naturally aspirated 2.4-litre has similar power outputs to the Honda but uses 1.1L/100km more fuel. The boot is also marginally smaller (that is, if the CRV’s third row isn’t being used). TOYOTA RAV4 CRUISER $44,990 D/A

The Toyota is the cheapest of the group, though the price applies only until the end of the month. You get what you pay for and despite decent gear the RAV4 doesn’t drive as well as these rivals.

VERDICT

It’s hard to overlook the Honda’s versatility as an easy-driving and spacious SUV. If pace isn’t a priority, the CR-V has all the other bases covered.