Hondsome devil
CR-V has aged better than most of us 27 years after it first hit UK roads
The CR- V is the world’s bestselling SUV, according to its makers Honda, and there is no doubt about its enduring appeal and glossy upmarket appearance.
I liked it the moment it arrived on the driveway but, when friends started taking a second look and opening doors, I knew Honda had not got it wrong when they created this latest hybrid version of their much-loved SUV.
The CR-V first arrived on our roads as far back as 1995. 1995? No, I couldn’t believe it either. That was the year Eric Cantona lashed out at a Crystal Palace supporter, we had the driest summer in years and Take That were Back For Good.
Unlike the rest of us who have matured, shall we say, since then, the CR-V is looking better than ever.
The EX four-wheel- drive version in front of me is smooth and elegant, boasting the new Honda “face” as well as a front light signature completely unique to this model.
It is broader with muscular wheel arches and sharper sculpting on the bonnet and rear quarters. In terms of looks, I just wish I could have some of the magic dust the designers are sprinkling on this car.
Inside, it is just as lip-smacking. My version with a wonderful red exterior came with cream inside and even – oh, how I love these in non-black – light fawn seat belts.
A word of warning, though – do not try to take a bite of a duck-in-hoisinsauce wrap while driving for safety reasons or in case you accidentally spill some dark sauce on the beautiful belts. It is the devil of a job to get it out.
Other features of this car are instantly attractive – like the double panoramic roof, allowing loads of light into the passenger space, the roominess inside and the wonderful central console.
There is an amazing high-definition colour touchscreen, which is wonderful for reversing because it is so pin sharp.
Below it is not the gear stick for this automatic car, as you might expect, but a push button kind of affair, which is amazingly practical and easy to use.
Also, behind the steering wheel was a Head Up Display with lots of useful information including how much the car isbeingchargedwhenyoutakeyourisbeingchargedwhenyoutakeyour foot off the gas, for example. This is mirrored on the instrument display too.
There are various modes on this car, including ECON to help save fuel and Sport for the dynamism you deserve when you want it – all adding up to the most practical, yet good-looking, car for our times.
It was smart on the road and easy to drive with a high-riding position for confidence. The electric mode is great for town driving and this just ups the performance on the open road.
With piles of room in the boot and inside, the CR-V is the perfect family car, bound to please and make you the envy of all the neighbours.