Sector: Medium SUV Price: TBA Fuel: 4.4–7.7l/100km CO2: 115–179g/km

Over 750,000 Honda CR-Vs have been sold in Europe since the original model was launched in 1997, reckons Honda. The current model has been with us since 2011 and the last major upgrade saw the introduction of the 120hp 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine to power two-wheel-drive models in late 2013. Now Honda has taken the engine a stage further, introducing a bi-turbo version producing 160hp, which will replace the 150hp 2.2-litre diesel. Not surprisingly, given that the CR-V will be four years old this year, Honda has also introduced a facelift with a range of enhancements to go with it.

The 160hp diesel is only available with four-wheel-drive, the two-wheel-drive 120hp option remains. In addition to the standard six-speed manual transmission, Honda has introduced a nine-speed torque converter automatic, co-developed with ZF. This introduces a wider spread of ratios, so the CR-V can offer lower gears at the bottom of the gearbox, useful for those who tow, as well as higher top ratios, helping to reduce fuel consumption at motorway speeds.

Other equipment includes the Honda Connect infotainment system, which will be standard with all trim grades above entry level. It includes a seven-inch display screen, connectivity for a range of smartphones, with MirrorLink to replicate the phone screen on the dashboard display. DAB digital radio is part of the package too.

Honda has also added a range of driver assist options based around camera and radar sensing systems, offering an improved collision mitigation braking system that can now recognise pedestrians and oncoming cars. There is also an intelligent adaptive cruise control designed to anticipate cars ahead cutting across during motorway lane changing manoeuvres. Honda claims a ‘world first’ for the system.

Petrol power will not be the choice for many fleet drivers, but Honda’s 155hp i-VTEC 2.0-litre petrol engine stays in the range. The big advantage of the new 1.6-litre i-DTEC motor is that while it offers more power than the outgoing 2.2-litre diesel, torque remains the same and combined fuel consumption is reduced, down from 5.6l/100km for manual models to 4.9l/100km for the 1.6-litre 160hp engine with the car on 17-inch wheels. For CO2 emissions, this means a drop from 144g/km to 129g/km, which will be good news for markets with CO2 based tax systems. Even the new nine-speed automatic is rated at 134g/km with 17-inch wheels.

Honda has also worked on noise suppression and the new engine not only delivers brisk performance, but also does so with little mechanical fuss. Because the car is 65kg lighter compared with its predecessor it also feels more nimble, particularly for a four-wheel-drive SUV. Lots of gears means lots of gear changing for the nine-speed auto, but it’s done smoothly, while the lower fuel consumption and emissions will make it an attractive choice for some.

Verdict:

Honda has done a good job of making the diesel CR-V more desirable and better to drive. The new engine impresses and gives a competitor for the Q5 and the X3.