Motoring Editor MALCOLM BAYLIS looks at the new Honda CR-V

DEMAND for all-wheel drive off-roaders continues to keep manufacturers busy: it is a world market that just refuses to be satisfied. In Europe alone it is reckoned that annual sales are likely to be more than half-a-million new cars a year, with the United Kingdom the biggest single market.

With the introduction of compact versions of the more aggressive-looking off-roaders, and the even more recent arrival of the softer-looking four-by-fours, the leisure market has taken off with renewed vigour as more manufacturers clamour for a slice of an extremely rich cake.

One of the key players in this particular market has been Honda with its CR-V, or compact recreational vehicle, which since its launch into all main markets in 1998 has notched up a million sales worldwide. The CR-V is Honda's third biggest selling model in Europe, consistently outselling every other petrol-engined contender in the 4x4 market.

When it was launched, CR-V was unique because it combined all the practicalities of a sports utility with car-like qualities. It is not positioned as an off-roader, more grass and gravel than snow and mud-plugger. Other manufacturers have followed suit, and competition is tough.

Nonetheless Honda expects sales of its latest CR-V, on sale next week, to sell around 30,000 models in its first full year, rising to more than 40,000 in the following years. In the United Kingdom, the CR-V will be sold with two trim levels, the SE manual for £16,695 on the road and the SE automatic for £17,595, and the SE Sport manual for £17,995 and automatic for £18,895. All the prices are £200 more than the outgoing model.

So what makes this latest CR-V better than its predecessor?

To start with, the new model is slightly higher and larger, providing more room inside. Also it comes with a two-litre petrol engine, a version of that used in the sporting Civic Type-R, but providing greater torque levels.

New features include a handbrake which sits on the facia; a revised tailgate where the flip-up window (handy for slipping small objects into the boot space) now also opens with the door; revised wing mirrors to cut down on wind noise; rebuilt rear seats which can be flipped forward to provide more overspill luggage room, and revised security and safety features.

What it does not have are such off-roading systems as low ratio transmission, lockable differentials or hill descent control. This is because the CR-V will be sold primarily as an on-roader with a four-wheel-drive system that makes it suitable for light off-road duties.

The launch for the British motoring press was on-road. There is no doubt the new model can be an absolute stormer on the asphalt, yet its hard-working engine is quiet and smooth. The 150bhp V-Tec engine, with variable timing control that works by taking into consideration the work-load of the engine, offers a particularly flat torque curve, peaking at 192Nm at 4,000rpm, but which even by 3,000rpm is delivering 188Nm.

The performance levels may not be quite up to the Civic Type-R but the CR-V still comes up with an agreeable 0-62mph in just over 10-seconds. Fuel consumption figures provided by Honda has both SE and SE Sport manual returning 24.1mpg at the urban rate (23.2mpg automatic), 36.7mpg (37.2mpg auto) at extra urban and 31.0mpg (30.4mpg) combined.

Ride comfort is good, too, the suspension smoothing out bumps and thumps.

The rather unusual handbrake, now part of the facia and no longer between the seats, takes a bit of getting used to, but is extremely efficient and easy to operate, once your left hand remembers where it is!

Replacing the handbrake has allowed the folding tray table between the front seats to be increased in size, providing room for two larger cups as well as two recessed tray areas rather than one.

Another change inside is that the rear audio speakers have been taken out of the luggage area and reinstalled within the rear doors. The back seats can now be split 60:40 rather than 50:50, and the larger section incorporates an armrest that also offers twin cup-holders when folded down.

Rear seats can also be moved by 170mm in five steps to add to either leg or luggage room, or folded and tipped for extra luggage space without the need to remove the head restraints. Also the luggage area has been given a tonneau cover that moves with the rear seats to maintain its job of keeping articles in the boot from prying eyes.

All models share the same engine and will have air conditioning, ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and emergency brake assist, four airbags, security alarm, CD tuner, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, driver's seat height adjustment, a picnic table, rear accessory power point together with power steering, electric windows, and remote central locking.

Opt for the SE Sport and it comes with alloy wheels, climate controlled air conditioning, headlamp washers, sunroof, body colour bumpers, mirrors and side protectors, outside temperature display and hard spare-wheel cover, in lieu of vinyl.

Extras available include DVD based satellite navigation (using one disc for all of Europe) tailgate spoiler and front fog lights.

The CR-V has been designed to match the safety standards already set by the Civic, which set out to raise standards for both occupants and pedestrians. Although still to be officially confirmed, Honda believes the new model is also capable of achieving a four star rating in the European front and side impact occupant tests, as well as a three-star rating in the pedestrian protection tests, thanks to a bonnet area designed to cushion any impact.

Other internal safety features include Isofix child seat mountings and whiplash-reducing front seats.

The CRV is the highest retention model in the Honda range: it costs £800 less than the Land Rover Freelander, but also provides air conditioning and side air bags, is slightly more expensive than Toyota's fun vehicle the RAv4, but costs the same as Nissan's latest sports utility the X-Trail. It will also compete with the Ford Maverick/Mazda Tribune as well as the new Jeep Cherokee.

Details at a glance:

Model: Honda CR-V

Specifications: SE and SE Sport.

Prices: From £16,695 (SE manual) to £18,895 (SE Sport automatic).

Dimensions: Length 4555mm, width 1780mm, height 1710mm, wheelbase 2620mm.

Engine: 2.0-litre dohc i-Vtec, four cylinders, 1998cc

Maximum power: 150PS at 6500rpm.

Performance: 0-62mph (manual) 10.1 seconds (auto) 11.9-secs. Top speed 110mph/104mph

Maximum torque: 192NM at 4000rpm.

Transmission: Five speed manual, four-speed automatic.

Suspension: Front MacPherson strut, coil spring, gas pressurised shock absorber, anti-roll bar; rear double wishbone and as front.

Steering: Variable power assist, rack and pinion

Brakes: Front ventilated disc, rear solid disc with ABS anti-lock.

Updated: 12:48 Friday, February 01, 2002