Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Executive

IT IS cars such as Honda’s CR-V which are causing sales in the upper-medium sector to slump, and it’s easy to see why. Company car drivers, bored of the traditional saloon or hatchback offering, are now taking advantage of more expansive choice lists to have cars such as SUVs. And with its new diesel-engined CR-V, Honda is aiming to capture a slice of this ‘repmobile exodus’.

Using the same engine as found and used to great effect in the Accord, it offers high levels of refinement, decent economy for a car of this type and enough ‘lifestyle’ additions to make it desirable.

There’s the refrigerated box in the centre console for a start, and the boot floor which lifts out and doubles up as a picnic table.

For company car drivers with families, this is the ideal car to take advantage of weekends out and about.

And with four-wheel drive and high ground clearance, those weekends can take place well off the beaten track. There’s already a queue of colleagues hoping to test the CR-V on family breaks, so we’ll let you know just how practical an ally it is.

Our car is in top-spec Executive trim, boasting pretty much every gizmo and gadget you could possibly need for £22,800 on-the-road. Included as standard are electrically-adjustable and heated leather seats, climate control and satellite navigation.

In fact it’s so well equipped, there aren’t any option boxes to tick. Even metallic paint is standard.

We only took delivery of the Honda a week ago, so it’s too early to report on any driving impressions, but early signs in fuel economy terms are promising. We’re getting between 31mpg on stop-start trips and 50mpg on long motorway drives, giving a respectable average of 40.7mpg – very close to Honda’s claimed figure – despite the car only having 680 miles on the clock.

We’re looking forward to putting the CR-V through its paces over the next six months to see if this type of vehicle is a viable alternative to a more traditional company car.

What we expect

THE CR-V has always been one of the most car-like SUVs to drive, and the addition of a diesel version should add to its appeal, especially for user-choosers looking for a car which suits their lifestyle better. With the 2.2 i-CTDi unit, we’re expecting our CR-V to be refined and economical. It should also be very popular with outdoor types, thanks to clever features such as the built-in picnic table.

The manufacturer’s views

‘AT present, two-thirds of CR-V sales are to retail buyers, although the fleet penetration is higher than that achieved by most competitors. The diesel model is set to increase fleet sales still further: the model’s low depreciation allied with good fuel consumption and low cost of ownership makes it eminently suitable to user-choosers, many of whom are making a lifestyle choice.’ Honda UK

Equipment and options

STANDARD

Alloy wheels

Anti-lock brakes (ABS)

Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD)

Brake assist

Vehicle stability assist

Two Isofix child seat mounts

Remote central locking with deadlocks and alarm

RDS stereo with CD player

Satellite navigation

Climate control with pollen filter

Leather seats

Electrically adjustable and heated front seats

Electric sunroof

Cruise control

Headlamp washers

Built-in picnic table

Metallic paint

Total options £0
Standard price (OTR) £22,800
Price as tested £22,800

Model: Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Executive Price (OTR): £22,800
Mileage: 680
CO2 emissions (g/km): 177
Company car tax bill (2005/6) 40% tax-payer: £166 a month
Insurance group: 12E
Combined mpg: 42.2
Test mpg: 40.7
CAP Monitor residual value: £9,850/44%
Expenditure to date: Nil
Typical contract hire rate: £445
Figures based on three-years/60,000-miles