It doesn't quite fit the image one has of SUVs - those large intimidating vehicles that appear in the rear mirror out of nowhere and tailgate you till you swerve to the next lane.
The new Honda CRV is not the largest or the most powerful SUV on Dubai roads, all right, but it's certainly one of the safest vehicles in its segment, scoring excellent ratings in major crash-test programmes. If this were not good enough, the car has also notched up five-star ratings for frontal and side impacts as well as straight ‘good' ratings from the US-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Designed to deliver a pleasant mix of Honda's trademark luxury and refinement, the five-passenger family-friendly vehicle is littered with tasteful details inside out.
The changes include tweaked exterior design, with new bumpers, honeycomb design grille, alloy wheels and improved seat fabric, floor carpets and door grips.
An auto-dimming rear-view mirror ensures driving comfort by eradicating distraction caused by light flashing from behind, while the 60/40 split rear seats with fold and tumble abilities offer numerous cargo arrangements.
There are obvious nods towards driving comfort too. The new responsive four-cylinder 2.4-litre iVTEC engine gives a larger than usual dollop of smile-inducing performance and the use of enhanced insulation adds to the pleasure of sedan-style driving.
Available in eight colours, the car comes in three options with prices ranging from Dh90,000 to Dh113,000.
Specs at a glance
ENGINE: 4-cylinder 2.4 litre DOHC iVTEC
MAXIMUM HORSEPOWER: 168@5,800
MAXIMUM TORQUE: 22.4KG M@4,200 rpm
THUMBS UP: Easy handling and impressive fuel economy
THUMBS DOWN: No optional third row seat and limited offroad capability
