2.2 IDTEC EX

Does exactly what is says on the tin

The need for economy pushed me down from a full sized SUV (Merc ML) to a more compact model and the CRV won through. The winners were comfort - drives more like an estate car and space - boot and cabin. With three children not having a duff middle seat in the back was essential - the CRV was the only AWD I could find with a flat floor. Also a space saver tyre and a number of the toys that I wanted. Looked far more modern and appealing than the last model.

Compared it against the VW Tiguan - OK but expensive for what you got, the Volvo XC60 - expensive, stylish but not that good on the running costs, Mazda CX5 - great engine but a bit too plastic.

In top spec EX in polished metal (grey) pretty much all the toys were included. I added the Robust pack which was a rubbing strip, metal finishes front and rear and a side step. The latter seems a bit of a con because it is only on half the car. Sunroof is huge and opens up what can be a bit of a dark space if you opt for black leather. Other highlights - great stereo with lots of options and ease of use with the Ipod and phone. Automatic tail gate. Keyless entry - again only on the top model has taken me by surprise - I really like it, and the fact that you can lock the car from the boot mounted button is great. Reversing camera over all the range is a nice touch. Boot is huge and because the overhang at the rear is behind the wheels it can take a set of golf clubs across the car. First few miles the seats felt supportive and so far averaging well over 40pmg with over 50 on a big run.

Niggles - mostly personal preference. Not having a gas strut on the bonnet seems a bit cheap for a car costing over £30k. The central console box has no light at night and becomes a deep pit. The instruments are a bit complex and confused for their own good. Looks good in the pictures but in reality it takes a while to get use to them. Three information screens don't help. I went for manual box because the auto was out of the dark ages - what a shame. Start stop isn't as good as the BMW system but the eco button does play quite a nice game - keep the lights green! Pictures on the small screen are pure novelty and a bit of a pain initially because they don't mention that they have to be below 2mb

Buying was OK - Marshalls in Harrogate were acceptable but no more. Plenty of demo models but made a few too many silly mistakes. However they were always positive and smiling. Not much in the way of accessories to buy - roof bars in particular so got the Thule fixings on ebay - 753 and 3118 if you are interested. Honda UK were hopeless at service - unable to tell me the insurance group and really clueless about the car when I asked the on line web service.

All in pretty pleased. this won't be a car you buy for passion - it's totally practical and I expect years of pain free and relatively low cost motoring like the millions of others sold so far.

Update January 2017

Just over 4 years later there have been no issues. Consumable parts include a complete set of discs and pads and a few sets of tyres. Now 73,000 miles and going well.

Issues - front drivers seat isn't the most comfortable and padding has been squashed. Location of USB chargers could be better if you want to connect Your iPod into the entertainment system. Still find it annoying that the bonnet has no gas struts. Heated seats are just 2 stage - 3 would have given more alternatives.

Mpg has run at about 43 very consistently. On a long motorway trip without a heavy food 50 is achievable but beyond that you would need to be slipstreaming a lorry. Towing drops it by about 10 mpg.

Apart from that a car that is 4 years old still looks good - face lift on younger models doesn't really harm it, and the 2.2 engine still pulls strongly. I will be interested to see the new 1.6 combined with the auto gear box. The 2.2 does really need the manual to make the most of the power which is a bit down on where it might otherwise be. I think that engine was always a generation behind when first put into this model.

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