Honda CR-V - Pictures

Black plastic sump guards and flared wheelarches give the Honda a rugged look – and help hide the fact that it stands taller than either of its rivals. The arching rear window is another attractive touch.

Inside, the CR-V takes styling cues from Honda’s Civic, so the cabin looks sporty. The steering wheel is great to hold and blue dials give an upmarket feel. We also like the high-mounted position of the gearlever.

A useful low sill means loading items into the Honda is easy, but the boot is the shortest here whether the seats are up or down. And although there’s a two-position parcel shelf, it can hold a maximum of only 10kg.

Great refinement and smooth but strong power delivery make Honda’s 2.2-litre i-CTDi one of the finest diesels on the market. While it’s not as quiet as the Santa Fe’s VGT oil-burner, it’s the best performer in t

With 60/40 split rear seats as standard, but the CR-V is the only car to have sliding chairs. Yet the bench doesn’t fold flat, as in the Accord. Instead, it flips upright – limiting boot length.