(Fri 20 Nov 09)

An updated version of the Honda CR-V will be available to order from December 1, and officially goes on sale on January 5.

There is no change to the bodyshell, but there are detail design changes in the form of new bumpers and a new front grille. More significantly, the previous turbo diesel engine has been replaced by a new 2.2-litre unit which is both more powerful, at 148bhp, and has reduced CO2 emissions of 171g/km if fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.

We mention the gearbox here because another change is that the CR-V diesel will also become available with a five-speed automatic, the first time that such a combination has been offered in the range. CO2 emissions for this one are 195g/km.

The previous two-litre petrol engine is also carried over. It's £1960 cheaper to buy, but more expensive to run because it's less economical and has higher CO2 emissions (190g/km manual, 193g/km auto).

There are three trim levels, and they start with SE, which includes 17" alloy wheels, air-conditioning, an auxiliary socket, cloth upholstery and heated door mirrors. For an extra £1500 you get the ES, and that comes with 18" 10-spoke alloys, an auto-dimming interior mirror, cruise control, a double-deck cargo area, folding door mirrors, heated seats trimmed in leather and alcantara, headlight washers, front foglights, leather steering wheel and gearknob, rear parking sensors and a USB connection.

There is then a £3540 leap to the range-topping EX, which gets body-coloured bumpers, DVD voice-activated satellite navigation, the best audio system in the range (including a subwoofer), full leather upholstery, an eight-way adjustable driver's seat, xenon headlights, a panoramic roof, rain-sensing wipers and a door mirror which tilts downwards when reverse gear is selected.

Honda is continuing to offer an Advanced Safety Pack with the CR-V. It consists of adaptive cruise control and a Collision Mitigating Braking System, but you have to pay quite a lot for it - it's a £2000 option, and it's available only on the EX.

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