THE sixth generation of Honda's popular CR-V arrived in autumn 2023 with bolder looks and class-leading levels of practicality, comfort and technology.

The medium-sized SUV is now available with either a full hybrid powertrain or with a plug-in hybrid unit which can deliver up to 50 miles of all-electric range.

It is Honda's best-seller worldwide thanks to its huge sales in North America and this latest model continues to impress.

Wider, longer and taller than the model it replaces, its longer wheelbase has created more interior space for passengers and luggage. The boot can now take 579 litres of kit and this goes up to 1,643 litres if you fold the rear seats flat.

A more aggressivefront-end gives the car greater visual appeal and exclusive grille designs feature in both models.

New thin headlights and signature daytime running lights finish the front while the rear features vertical brake lights and turn signals.

Two trim levels are available, Elegance and Advance with prices starting from £48,995 and the plug-in version costing from £53,995.

The muscular and handsome family favourite looks strong from any angle thanks to its strong upright stance, privacy glass, and smart black alloy wheels.

Inside the CR-V offers stacks of room for five, a neat layout that is free of fuss and bags of technology that is easy to use.

The seats are upholstered in fine leather and are comfy and power adjustable. All the controls and dials are nicely lit and are refreshingly easy to read and use.

My Advance model cost £49,990 when £995 was added for the striking crystal red paint and it came with full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Honda Connect with navigation, heated seats and heated steering wheel, as well as a large touchscreen, DAB radio and excellent sound system

Powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine that works in tandem with two electric motors controlled by an intelligent drive system it offers four drive modes called Eco, Normal, Sport andSnow. It is a big vehicle but it can still sprint to 62mph in just 9.5 seconds before going on to 116mph.

It delivers its power smoothly via the CVT transmission and even although it has all-wheel-drive it can still return up to 49.6mpg.

As you would expect it is no hot hatch out on the road but it cruises nicely at motorway speeds and is surprisingly agile for its size. It is not particularly dynamic but it will certainly meet the needs of most drivers and its loyal customers.

Just don't try to push the CVT box too hard or you will just make things noisy.

The high driving position and the design provides great all-round visibility and that makes it good around town where it will spend most of its life.

The suspension deals well with all kinds of surfaces and there is very little road noise, while the steering provides lots of feedback.

The latest CR-V is crammed with safety specifications and driver aids. Honda Sensing is fitted as standard and includes a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, intelligent adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and an intelligent speed limiter.

The AWD system is designed to make the car safe in adverse weather conditions rather than for off-road work and the result is a Euro NCAP five-star safety rating.