Review
Working for Fleet News means I drive some fantastic cars, but it also means I’ve driven quite a few that I’ve been embarrassed to be seen in.
Hands up, I’m a label lover, so when it comes to transport, like my clothes, I’m rather choosy.
This is where our long term Honda is great – black would always be my first colour choice and the CR-V’s streamlined body, 18-inch alloy wheels and tinted windows are just up my street.
It ticks all my boxes for style.
One colleague said they preferred the old CR-V as it was “more rugged, whereas the new version is more footballers’ wives” – well, give me footballers’ wives any day.
First impressions are paramount for a lot of companies and an employee turning up for a meeting in the CR-V is bound to give the right impression.
Not only does it tick boxes for style which will please drivers but fleet managers should also be happy with low fuel bills, decent wholelife costs (thanks to a strong RV forecast of 41%) and promises to perform well in the used-car market.
In a previous Fleet News road test, the CR-V beat the Mitsubishi Outlander, Land Rover Freelander and Hyundai Sante Fe on wholelife costs.
The CR-V comes in at 32.76 pence per mile (ppm), compared with 39ppm, 34.26ppm and 39.15ppm respectively.
It also came out top in tax rates.
The CR-V was best for benefit-in-kind tax, costing a 40% taxpayer just over £2,000 a year – more than £200 better than the Outlander.
Figures like that should please fleet managers and as a driver I’m enjoying the CR-V more every day – it’s difficult to think of many faults.
It offers a comfortable ride, I feel safe every time I climb in the cabin, it handles like a car and it’s frugal – I’m almost touching 40mpg.
What more could a company car driver ask for?
It’s also great to have peace of mind as winter temperatures plummet, knowing the four-wheel drive function automatically engages, if needed.
The heated seats, standard on the EX model, are a bonus, too, and should keep me toasty until spring.
I may be toasty but I am slightly annoyed that my fuel economy has fallen from 40.6mpg last month to 38.6mpg.
I’m blaming the heavy use of the heated seats and heater – another result of winter temperatures.
Fact file
Price: £27,567 (£27,942 as tested)
Mileage: 6,244
CO2 emissions (g/km): 173
Company car tax bill (2008) 40% tax-payer: £213 per month
Insurance group: 13E
Combined mpg: 43.5
Test mpg: 38.6
CAP Monitor RV: £10,075/41%
Contract hire rate: £531
Expenditure to date: Nil
Figures based on three years/60,000 miles
