HONDA buyers tend to stay very loyal to the brand and there's a good reason for that - everything Honda does, it does well.
The Japanese company isn't too flashy or flamboyant, but it develops excellent cars that are built to survive the test of time and deliver on all counts.
The high-performance models are fast and offer breath-taking dynamics, the city cars are compact and easy to fizz around in and finally, the SUVs are simply outstanding people movers with a side dressing of flair and practicality.
The perfect example is the CR-V which has been gracing our roads since 1995 and with each new generation, improvements are made to the design, performance, comfort and, of course, the on-board technology.
The latest evolution of the five-door CR-V boasts a fresh, sophisticated exterior with broader, muscular wheel arches, sharper bonnet contours as well as the instantly-recognisable Honda face with a signature headlight graphic that is unique to the CR-V.
Our range-topping EX model had 19-inch alloys, a panoramic roof, LED front fog lights and privacy glass.
Move inside and the interior has moved upmarket too and looks modern in its design and layout.
There are heated seats front and rear, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, a head-up display, a nine-speaker sound system, seven-inch touchscreen, dual zone climate control and lots, lots more.
Getting comfy is a simple process with power adjustable front seats complete with memory settings and the elevated seating results in excellent all-round visibility - a must on any SUV which will regularly be spotted on the school run.
It's often a case that you get what you pay for and despite the CR-V's somewhat hefty price-tag, it is a car that will not let you down. If you doubt me, look how many older models are still gracing our roads today.
There are four trim levels, all powered by an efficient 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo petrol engine and a choice of five or seven seat versions, along with two or all-wheel drive.
This car with CVT automatic gearbox and AWD was priced at the higher end of the scale costing £36,455 - pearlescent paint added another £550 to the price.
It could reach 62mph from a standing start in 10.0 seconds, maxed out at 124mph and, according to official figures, delivered combined fuel economy of 39.8mpg with carbon emissions of 162g/km.
While those performance stats don't exactly set the world alight, they are impressive for a practical SUV that is designed with comfort, versatility and efficiency in mind.
And that's exactly where the CR-V excels. It's exceptionally comfortable and effortless to drive. All the dials, controls and readouts are perfectly positioned for ease of use and the ride quality also impresses.
In town centres, the agility of the CR-V makes light work of weaving through the crowds and then out on the open road it can be cut loose with plenty of acceleration.
Steering wheel mounted paddles add to the fun factor and the chunky gear lever and three-spoke steering wheel are a gentle reminder to the car's sportier nature.
The road holding is confident and the car is nicely balanced when pushed on through tight bends. There is a little body sway if corners are attacked too enthusiastically, but generally the CR-V is a very able performer. And the benefit of all-wheel drive will always be appreciated in harsher driving conditions.
The boot has hands-free access and is generously sized with a capacity ranging from 561 to 1,756 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat.
There are numerous storage compartments throughout the car, including a glovebox, door bins, a sunglasses box, cup holders, a deep central bin and several trays.
The boot mat is reversible with one side wipe clean so ideal if transporting muddy boots etc. Then when you have the weekly shop on board, simply turn the mat over.
Honda has a great reputation for safety and the latest CR-V is packed with innovative technology to help protect occupants and pedestrians alike.
All models get traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, intelligent speed limiter, brake assist, vehicle and trailer stability assist, agile handling assist, collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning tyre pressure monitoring, Isofix fittings and numerous airbags.
All in all, the latest Honda CR-V keeps up a long-standing tradition. It looks great, drives well, boasts a classy interior that's generously equipped.