WITH the exception of the city car market, where compact and bijou is obviously the way to go, our motors have gradually been increasing in size for many years now.

One vehicle that has certainly seen a marked increase in dimensions throughout its lifetime is Honda's popular CR-V, which has cemented itself a loyal following in the large SUV sector.

The progressive bulking up of the CR-V, however, left the Japanese car maker bereft of an offering in what has rapidly become a major growth area - the compact crossover market.

With sales of these SUV/hatchback mash-ups booming worldwide no self-respecting manufacturer can afford not to have one in the showrooms for too long, though, so the CR-V now has a smaller sibling in the shape of the HR-V.

Honda has, in fact, resurrected a model line which could lay reasonable claim to having pioneered the crossover craze.

Long before the ubiquitous Nissan Qashqai took the world by storm, the original HR-V hit the road in 1999 in two and four-door and two and four-wheel-drive variations.

Perhaps hindered by a boxy, utilitarian design though, sales never really took off and within six years it had been withdrawn.

Little could Honda have known then that it was perhaps just a few years ahead of its time, at least in terms of its concept if not the actual execution.

The new HR-V should have no such trouble with its bold, contemporary styling, Honda's acclaimed practicality and a market that now has a seemingly unquenchable thirst for such vehicles.

A swooping roofline, rising beltline and tapering windows create a sporty, coupe-like profile while a muscular front end, raised suspension, black cladding and bulging wheel arches add the tough SUV touches.

Engine choice is a straightforward one between Honda's proven 1.5-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel units.

The diesel I drove offers great versatility coupled with good levels of economy, proving punchy at low revs and in town traffic but relaxed and refined when cruising and offering claimed average fuel consumption of almost 70 miles per gallon.

Combined with a snappy six-speed manual transmission, which sits within easy reach on the raised central console, and responsive steering it provides a drive which is more engaging than you would expect.

Some body lean is to be expected in corners in cars with elevated ride heights but this is never excessive, even with a pliant suspension set-up for comfort, while grip remains assured.

Despite the tough looks, though, you will be staying predominantly on the road with the HR-V as four-wheel drive, perhaps surprisingly, is not an option for UK buyers.

Three trim levels are available, all of which will be familiar to Honda followers: S, SE and the range-topping EX I drove as well as an intermediate SE Navi version which, as the name suggests, adds sat nav to the mid-range SE-spec.

Equipment is impressive across the range but EX grade offers pretty much all you could want in a high quality interior package that includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, panoramic sunroof, digital radio, automatic lights and wipers and a reversing camera.

The headline features though are the slick infotainment and satnav touchscreen which sits above another touch-sensitive panel, rather than traditional switches,to control all other functions. It works well and gives the HR-V a very modern and upmarket feel.

The cabin is spacious as well as posh with decent head and legroom, good personal storage solutions and a boot which, at 470 litres, eclipses most in the class.

Honda's trademark ‘Magic Seats' are also present meaning that the 60-40 rear seat backs not only fold flat, but the seat bases can also be flipped up cinema-style to accommodate tall packages behind the front seats.