I’m still in that exciting phase where you learn all about a new car, having covered just over 1000 miles since the CR-V arrived.
It’s already passed the all-important ‘wife test’, with my beloved impressed by the interior, including the comfortable seats, high driving position and well laid-out cabin.
It’s not the most exciting thing to drive, as you’d expect from a 120hp off-roader with a high centre of gravity, but as depressing as it is to age, I now value comfort, practicality, equipment and other sensible qualities over sharp handling and neck-snapping performance, and this is where the Honda CR-V works.
That 1.6-litre engine isn’t quite the outstanding gem it is in the Civic – blame the larger CR-V’s extra 378kg of weight, an extra 25% – but it’s certainly more than adequate for the job in hand, especially when you look at what 119g/km of CO2 does to the associated costs.
As the Honda settles into day-to-day life on our fleet, I’m looking forward to finding out if it’s a car that can inspire on more than rational levels.
