OK so you may have noticed we already tested the Honda CR-V, the Black Edition, so you may be thinking why do so again. Lets just say that was then this is now because Honda have introduced a series of styling and mechanical updates that on first glance look barley noticeable. But you do look carefully then you will notice those exterior styling revisions. New headlight designs and a the bumper and rear taillights have all be sharpened up to give a slightly noticeable fresher look. That’s what updates are planned to do and are usually part of the product strategy for any modern day car that typically has a 5 year product life cycle. Yes I did say product life-cycle. What you don’t see are that most of the changes have been carried out underneath all that metal, leather and plastic. Honda’s engineers have revised the suspension setup, suspension bushes and also revised the steering. The CR-V has been developed and engineered in the UK for British drivers, yet its available all over Europe with 750,000 units sold to date. Having tested the pre-facelift model not so long ago I was able to immediately detect that the steering felt slightly heavier at low speed on the new face-lifted version.

“the ride too has lost that firm-but-floaty quality and now seems more consistent and therefore comfortable over the bumps and rough surfaces”.

However get up to a motorway cruising speed and the steering lightens up. The CR-V handles quite well for a mid-sized crossover, you can chuck into corners and actually get round with little to no fuss or bodyroll. The EX models have 4WD so you get added stability and reassurance in tricky conditions. But as with all 4WD systems you never really notice its there. And the ride too has lost that firm-but-floaty quality and now seems more consistent and therefore comfortable over the bumps and rough surfaces. Perhaps the biggest change is the engine, the tried and trusted 2.2-litre diesel engine is gone, consigned to the legislatory graveyard of C02 villains. In its place is a brand new high power 1.6-litre diesel which is available in six different grades of power from 115bhp for entry level models and up to 139bhp for top spec level models. The new 1.6-litre diesel does the same job as the vanquished 2.2-litre diesel so you don’t notice the difference, may be at the top end of the revs it gets slightly ‘gritty’ in comparison to the 2.2-litre engine but again the differences are slighter than you would expect. Another change is the introduction of the 9-speed automatic gearbox which is fantastic all round because the faster you go the less revs it uses. In top gear you can cruise at 90mph and yet the engine will use just over 2,000 revs. Combined economy over the duration of the week long test saw this CR-V return 41mpg. The gearbox does change down a little earlier than you would like in full auto but you can always switch to sport-manual mode should you want more control and operate the gears via flappy-paddles behind the multi-function steering wheel. The Honda CR-V also comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine again in five different power grades and 8 different models to choose from, the diesel has 9 models and both come in either 2WD or 4WD depending on what trim levels you go for.

“Perhaps the biggest change is the engine, the tried and trusted 2.2-litre diesel engine is gone, consigned to the legislatory graveyard of C02 villains”.

The 1.6- iDTEC EX 4WD on test was the top of the spec model so it came fully loaded, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather interior. Safety features such as intelligent adaptive cruise control and Brake Active System are fitted as standard throughout the range. Remember those updates? Well you also get a new 7-inch touch screen infotainment system which has Garmin sat-nav as standard throughout the range.  Indeed more ancillary controls are being moved into the touchscreen experience which has the effect of de-cluttering the central area of the dasboard. And of course the CR-V is hugely practical, we’ve detailed this previously, the boot is big with the seats up, bigger still with the seats folded flat which are easy to fold thanks to quick release handles at the rear. Passengers wont be short on space either its plenty big enough for all and all sizes. All in all the CR-V is one of those great all-round crossovers, its well built on the inside and out and as it is refined but at £34k for the version tested that puts it into Land Rover Discovery Sport territory. Things have just gotten a little bit more complicated.