WHEN is an MPV not an MPV? When it's a combination of MPV, SUV/crossover and Comfortable Runabout Vehicle, or as we say in the UK, Compact Recreational Vehicle, or Honda CR-V if you like.

This fifth generation vehicle with its new chassis is sleek and aerodynamically designed, offers the space and practicality of an SUV including the high off the ground stance and four-wheel drive capability and is the first hybrid SUV as Honda aims to go fully electrified by 2025.

While hybrid has been around for a while now, this latest full version provides cutting edge technology, with three driving modes, electric only, hybrid. It is also available in two or four-wheel drive in the case of this model and three trim levels, S, SE, SR and EX.

The hybrid technology features a two-litre petrol engine working together with two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery and a fixed-gear transmission via the firm's Multi Mode Drive (I-MMD) technology.

It is a big, roomy comfortable SUV, packed with creature comforts and safety technology to make even the longest journeys on our unappealing roads seem worthwhile while cocooned in comfort.

While the exterior might not have the in-your-face, but futuristic design of the its fiery stablemate the Civic TYPE R, it does have a distinctive profile.

It has a slightly longer wheelbase then before with large wheel arches protecting diamond-cut alloys, swooping profile and smart light clusters flanking the familiar Honda badge on the grille.

The interior is really high-end stuff on this model in particular and the longer wheelbase means there is more interior space available, the best in class says Honda.

It means five adults can be accommodated in relative comfort, four in real comfort, while the large wider, deeper boot has a longer load bay, huge in fact.

A hands-free powered tailgate on this model enables convenient loading access and can be programmed to stop at a certain height to avoid contact with low ceilings.

New single-action 60:40 split-fold seatbacks also enable faster, easier loading, and a completely flat surface for larger items including says Honda, a 19.5-inch frame bicycle.

Even the entry level model has high levels of equipment, but this range topper has just about all the creature comforts you could want, including goodies like head-up, display and heated, powered leather seating.

The interior is real premium quality with a soft-touch and wood-effect trim. The controls are dominated by the seven inch central touchscreen which controls major functions like navigation, entertainment and connectivity and Honda's Driver Information Interface (DII) in the binnacle, which monitors driver and engine hybrid management information.Smartphone connectivity is via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

On the road, the car is quiet and refined and rapid when given its head. Drive selection is via a novel push button set up and the default mode is electric, with hybrid kicking in when extra power is needed.

The Drive, Park and Neutral functions require the button push, while reverse requires a pull-up action. Pure EV mode is also available providing a zero-emissions range of around 2km (1.2 miles) depending on the driving conditions and battery charge.

Acceleration pretty lively and can hit 60mph in around nine seconds.This four-wheel drive version clocks up a claimed average mpg of around 51mpg, near early 40s in the real world, with CO2 emissions of 126g/km.

A clever touch is the paddles behind the wheel which can control rate of deceleration, with regenerative braking, pumping energy back to the battery.

Safety measures are comprehensive and include as standard across the range Honda Sensing, with active safety and driver-assistive technologies in the class, combining radar and camera information to assist the driver.