Review of the new Honda CR-V - Technology Focus

The words 'Honda' and 'technology' have always been two that have gone together seamlessly. Buy a Honda and you buy cutting edge technology. It's as simple as that. Few cars however, have illustrated the point quite as effectively as the latest third generation CR-V.

Quite simply, it's packed with clever thinking that you simply wouldn't expect to see on a compact SUV of this kind. Features like a rear parking camera, Active Cruise Control (ACC) and Honda's clever Crash Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) are all things you'd expect to see on a pricey luxury SUV in the next class up, not on something priced from under £19,000. But then Honda has always specialised on bringing things like this within the reach of the man in the street.

What about engine technology? Well, the CR-V has one of the most advanced 2.0-litre petrol powerplant in its class, as well as a 2.2-litre diesel unit generally acknowledged as class-leading. As a result, this car is not only cleaner than other SUVs but its' exhaust emissions are lower than some large estates, hatchbacks, MPVs - and even a Mini Cooper S.

Honda have also been thinking deeply about safety with this car. Even the outgoing CR-V achieved a 3-star rating for pedestrian safety - which, according to industry experts Euro NCAP, put it in the top 10 per cent of pedestrian-friendly cars on the road. Plus it got 4-stars for occupant safety. The new model will improve on those results still further. Honda expects class leading 5-star Occupant, 4-star Child and 3-star Pedestrian results.

Handling technology also features strongly of course, as you'd expect from a company with a motor racing heritage. With the third generation CR-V, the challenge for Honda was to build a compact 4x4 that handled like a car, yet offered most of the 'SUV-style' features that potential owners would actually need. So take a look under this car and you'll spot independent suspension all round with a multilink rear set-up.

"Honda has quietly and unobtrusively levered a lot of high-tech features into the CR-V"

The centre of gravity has been dropped by fully 35mm and Honda claims to have benchmarked the best family saloons in its class (rather than other SUVs) when it comes to handling. Forget the cumbersome roly-poly road manners and ponderous ride quality still common to some cars in this class. The CR-V has been engineered to be pin sharp straight out of the box using a suspension system that's had more resource poured into it than many of the semi-agricultural setups you'll find on rival offerings.

At the heart of it is Honda's innovative Real Time 4WD system. In normal conditions, it operates as a conventional front-wheel drive system. But if the front wheels begin to lose traction, then it automatically starts to send power to the rear wheels.

On tarmac, you'll appreciate the benefits of Honda's clever Vehicle Stability Assistance (VSA) system which automatically corrects both oversteer and understeer without the driver having to get involved. If that sounds too hi-tech for you, then don't worry: there'll be a time when, on the inevitable wet drive home when you've accidentally entered a bend too fast, you'll thank Honda that it's there. The other feature I liked was the TSA system, developed to prevent the kind of trailer 'snaking' that sends conventional towing vehicles out of control.

And day-to-day clever touches? Well, what about the CR-V's rear and front corner parking sensors? Unlike conventional front or rear-mounted sensor systems, this set-up prevents you from clipping cars when negotiating tight parking spaces. Which is a boon if you've a husband, wife or partner who can't park! Privacy glass is also a common CR-V feature that owners swear by, preventing undesirables from looking into your car and protecting your kids from the sun.

You'll appreciate the high-tech touches in the cabin too. Even the entry-level SE model features vehicle stability assist, trailer stability assist, anti lock brakes and electronic brake assist. Manage to fall off the road in one of these and you'll have excelled yourself. Should you manage to defeat the electronics of the CR-V, there's driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags as well as a rollover sensor. Aside from the technology to save us from our own excesses, there's also a driver information system, and a CD stereo with air conditioning. Plus there's an auxiliary/MP3 socket for the radio, something which should have long been standard on passenger cars but which is only now becoming commonplace, some four years after the iPod gained mass popularity.

Step up to the ES grade and you can add front and rear parking sensors, privacy glass, 17" alloy wheels, cruise control, a leather steering wheel, independent dual zone climate control and power folding door mirrors. This model is expected to account for half of the CR-V's total sales. Go for the EX model and you can expect to find features that were previously only found on executive models. Leather upholstery, 18" alloy wheels, an eight-way electric driver's seat with lumbar support, DVD satellite navigation with Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone, a rear parking camera, a premium stereo system with a powerful subwoofer. Plus there's the option of an advanced safety pack including the ACC, CMBS, AFS and HID systems.

The Honda CR-V has evolved. While other small SUVs flog their guts out working harder, it's working smarter. I think current CR-V owners inherently understand the difference. Technology that works with you instead of in spite of you helps this vehicle to its stated aim of offering a car like experience. Design brief fulfilled.

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