Honda CR-V
Price £27,855
Top speed 130mph
0-62mph 9.3 seconds
MPG 44.8
CO2 143g/km
It’s been a while since I picked up a hitchhiker. Like tapioca and lemon-favoured cola, they don’t seem to exist any more. But Chico was standing by the barrier at Luton airport, thumb extended. A photographer from Lisbon, he was hoping for a lift down the M1 into central London. He reckoned he’d been on British soil for less than two hours, but had already managed to get his luggage stolen. “I put my bag down to make a call,” he said, after gratefully clambering in, “and then booofff… gone!” All he had on him was his phone. He told me the name of his hotel and I decided to drive him there, to the actual door, as a sort of one-man, pro-EU, anti-Brexit statement.
It may have been a long time since I stopped for a hiker, but it’s been even longer since Chico spent any time in a modern, technologically savvy car. He exploded with delight at everyday features that many take for granted. Rear-view camera: “No waaaay!” Heated seats: “Haeeeeey!” Voice-activated satnav: “You are shitting me!” He seemed to speak in italics a lot of the time…
The vehicle that evoked such astonishment is more often castigated for being short on thrills. Honda’s CR-V is so unpretentious and so unassuming that it takes self-effacement to unchartered heights. And yet, here is the thing: the CR-V is quietly, sensibly, likably heroic.
For people who want a vehicle that will, without complaint, efficiently and effectively get on with the job of being a car, the CR-V is a no-brainer. As a result it is the world’s bestselling SUV – more than 9m have been sold in 150 countries. When it launched in Sayama in Japan in 1995, it pioneered a whole new type of car: the good-mannered, family-friendly, urban SUV was born. Back then we were told CR-V stood for “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle”. Over the years that has morphed into “Compact Recreational Vehicle” – both are true, but the first is closer to its nature, and sounds cuter, too.
This latest redesign, the fifth generation, brings significant changes, the biggest being that there is no diesel engine on offer. Instead, it’s based around Honda’s proven 1.5-litre VTEC turbopetrol unit. It’s smaller than previous engines, but it offers a winning blend of power and efficiency. For those wanting to further polish their green halos, a petrol-electric hybrid version has also just gone on sale.
For the first time, the CR-V is being offered as a seven-seater. This will make it even more in demand as a family load-lugger, but why’s it taken them so long to get round to it? It comes with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an all-new CVT shiftless auto gear system. Inside, you’ll find it’s comfortable, refined, spacious and unceasingly competent – though the infotainment system still feels dated. To drive, it’s smooth and biddable around town and it’s compliant and dutiful on the long haul.
In Japan, hard work and humility are both bedrocks of its culture. They’re qualities to admire both in its people and its cars – and Chico certainly did.
Cool kit
The AlcoSense Pro personal breathalyser features a slightly smaller version of the sensor used by several UK Police forces. It’s extremely accurate. It comes pre-loaded with worldwide drink drive limits, including the lower Scottish limit. Available from Halfords or alcosense.co.uk. Price £149.99
Email Martin at martin.love@observer.co.uk or follow him on Twitter@MartinLove166
