Honda CR-V Sport 2010 review

The CR-V is approaching its fourth year in a market filled with newer rivals but the compact Honda is still a consistent seller.  It also has a devoted following among the mums of school-aged children, judging from the number that crop up in streets near schools and parking lots.

The Honda combines a high-riding drive position with handling better than some cars and a small SUB body that will still swallow a lot of luggage, especially with the optional cargo screen fitted Carsguide has just returned a long-term CR-V and can see why owners are so passionate about them.

Value

The Honda Sport gains alloy rims and a few vanity interior features like a sunglass holder in the roof console. At $39,000 it is pitched into battle against the up-spec versions of the new and very capable Kia Sportage, the Subaru Forester and the Holden Captiva. The CR-V can still match them in the drive, but it is starting to date inside - the lack of Bluetooth is a obvious omission. A six-speed gearbox would only help fuel consumption, too.

Explore the 2010 Honda CR-V range

• Honda CR-V 2010 review
• Honda CR-V 2010 review: road test
• Honda CR-V Sport 2010 review

The cabin itself is still a comfortable, with switches falling where you expect them, a sound system that you don't have to read the manual to manoeuvre around and an airconditioning unit that was warm/cool within 90 seconds of entering the car.

Technology

The 2.4-litre VTEC engine was good when it came out but Honda will soon need to update the Euro IV-compliant engine with a Euro V version if it wants to continue European sales. It will probably be a refinement of the existing mill, which is a free-spinning unit that happily winds up to redline.

The on-demand all-wheel drive system performs credibly in a range of situations, from gravel roads to ice and mud. Power is generally channelled forwards, but rear drive is added as front traction is lost. It sounds simple (it isn't, unless y and really enjoy hydraulics) and works well in every situation Carsguide could put it through..

Style

The conservative Honda suit didn't win any design laurels when it was launched, but it's standing the test of time well. The inoffensive styling still isn't out of place in the new-car carpark. The upright look has been maximised in terms of interior space and the little SUV is quite capable of taking a family of four on a weekend camping trip with little fuss. Honda will even sell you a generator ...

Safety

The Honda is a top performer in crash tests globally and its structural integrity is one of the features the Japanese company boasts about. It uses stability and traction control to try and avoid the crash in the first place, then deploys six airbags to cushion the impact between occupants and the reinforced chassis if the worst does happen.

Adaptive head restraints help out but first time SUV owners should still do themselves and their cars a favour and book in for a specialised SUV handling course with someone like Murcotts or DECA.

Driving

The only real giveaway you're driving an SUV comes from the high ride position. The Honda will outcorner conventional cars - and that's without relying on the software to help out. There's the inevitable body roll before the suspension stabilises everything with a fair amount of efficiency. That makes the CR-V a fun device on hard-packed gravel roads and still in its element lane-changing in the CBD.

The brakes are solid and again reinforce that feeling of confidence - the CR-V doesn't pitch under heavy brakes as much as some of its competitors.  The rear tailgate needs remarkably little room to swing up, making loading up the groceries a simple affair.

The interior surfaces are also easy to clean. That's a big deal for any family with young children or who are regular campers and will be regularly removing gunk from the fabrics, but it stood tall and colourfast even after the worst my pre-teen children could squash into it.
The brakes are solid and the car is better than any one aspect suggests. The origami-like way they come together make the CR-V a worthy contender against the latest crop of SUVs _ and reinforce how good it was on launch.

Verdict

If build quality and practicality matters, the Honda should rate highly on the shopping list.