Honda CR-V (07 on) - Review

Aside from the rather firm ride, the CR-V is a very comfortable car with a roomy interior and plenty of space for five adults - the flat floor in the rear is particularly helpful with three in the back. The rear seats slide and recline to improve comfort for passenger, plus a panoramic glass roof can be chosen as an option to give the cabin a more open feel. Air conditioning is standard across the range and all cars come with electric windows.

One of the Honda's main strengths is its large boot. There's a two-tier luggage area with 556 litres of space (with the shelf removed and the rear seats in place) but this can be increased substantially when the rear seats are folded down. The 40/20/40 split of the rear bench means the centre section can be folded down to accommodate long items while still seating four in the cabin. But what does count against the CR-V is the lack of a seven-seat option - something which many alternatives such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, offer.

Many of the components in the CR-V are also used in the Honda Accord, giving the cabin an upmarket feel. The steering wheel adjusts for reach and height and there's plenty of adjustment in the driving seat too, but it's not all good news. Some of the hard plastics used on top of the dashboard are disappointing and many cars at this price have the inside of the windscreen pillars covered in fabric. These small details take the shine off the interior ambience where Honda has worked hard on other areas.