EVERYDAY EXCELLENCE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_HondaCR-V_2013

By Andy Enright

Introductionword count: 150

Building goods that people need ought to be a fairly straightforward procedure. When it comes to cars, identify how people use their vehicles, how they want to use vehicles and build product to fit. Honda did exactly that with the CR-V. Despite huge commercial success, many sniped that the CR-V marked the suburbanisation of Honda, that a company once known for its radical and extreme engineering, for taking big risks and making headlines had somehow gone soft and middle-aged. Of course, it's not really true. Honda just became better attuned to the needs of its customers, realising that the sharpest-handling SUV was less of a draw than the SUV with the best crash protection, the slickest seating system, the best ride quality and the best record for reliability. The fourth generation CR-V debuted in early 2013 and here we run the rue over whether a used one makes the grade.

Modelsword count: 18

5dr compact 4x4 (2.0 petrol, 1.6, 2.2 diesel [S, S-T, SE, SE-T, SR, EX, Black Edition, White Edition])

Historyword count: 225

The CR-V is a car that has stayed true to its original concept. It is, was and has always been a vehicle that offers safe and cost-effective family transport, 4x4-styling cues, a raised ride height and no real off-road ability to speak of. Back in 1997, it was a cool alternative to the usual family hatchback, something that spoke of a rugged outdoorsiness. While the ubiquity of SUVs now means they're more associated with the school run than clambering an Alp, the CR-V has seen the market swing towards it and away from models with low-range gearboxes, knobbly tyres and body control more associated with a bulk freight carrier in a Biscay gale. The second generation model of 2002 barely deviated from this formula and neither did the third generation car of 2006. That model was a bit odd-looking, especially at the rear end, so sharpening the styling, building in added practicality and improving the perceived quality of the interior were all priorities for the fourth generation model which was announced in 2012 and which started arriving in UK dealers at the start of 2013. Where the original had six or seven rivals to counter, this latest car has thirty so it's inevitable that its market share has been diluted. Honda added the Black Edition and its sister vehicle the White Edition in February 2014.

What You Getword count: 405

Honda has really concentrated on improving the utility of the fourth generation CR-V. Even in the four-wheel drive models, the floor is completely flat. Headroom in the back has also been improved, with the rear passenger's hip point being lowered by 38mm. Big windows make the rear feel airy and access is excellent. In fact, the length and height of the car have been reduced by 5mm and 30mm respectively compared with the previous model, without reducing the interior space at all. So it's even bigger inside, yet is easier to park. It also has one of the cleverest seat folding mechanisms around. Not only do the seats fold flat, but in order to do that, you just pull a little fabric handle, the seat base tumbles forward, the seat back dips down and the rear headrest tuck in snugly. Even with the rear seats in place, there's a cavernous 589-litres of space, so there really is room for five and their luggage in the CR-V. Drop these rear seats and within seconds you have 1,146-litres at your disposal. The load length has been increased by 140mm to 1570mm, while the height of the load lip has been reduced by 25mm to make it easier to load heavy or awkward items. The boot of the CR-V can now accommodate two mountain bikes or four sets of golf clubs.So what do you get if you just want a basic S specification model? Quite a bit actually, although even at this end of the range, it needs to impress in order not to be mauled by its increasingly impressive Korean rivals. There's 17-inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, cruise control, height and lumbar adjustable driver's seat, an auxiliary and USB connection for the stereo, a multi-function steering wheel, that brilliant One-Motion rear seat folding mechanism and heated door mirrors. As you ascend the range you'll find gear such as a power tailgate, HDD satellite navigation, leather seats and a panoramic glass roof. Safety is very well taken care of with even the entry-level cars getting a whole host of kit including vehicle stability assist, trailer stability assist, hill start assist, hill descent control and the usual roster of airbag and clever braking technology. It's only the top two trims in the range that offer the option of a camera and radar system that brings into play adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking and lane keeping assist.

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