Frank Kennedy, sales and marketing director of distributors Universal Honda, says up to 600 units will be sold next year.

He claims it is the most fuel-efficient soft-road SUV on the market with the new two-litre petrol engine giving 10% better fuel performance than the previous model.

The CR-V comes in three versions . . . the entry-level CR-V ES, which will be the bestseller, CR-V EX and CR-V EX-T. All have a choice of the new two-litre petrol engine with VTEC technology or the 140 PS 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel. It has been dubbed the 'whispering diesel' because it runs so silently.

Unique in this market is the option of Adaptive Cruise Control, the radar device which maintains a set distance to the vehicle in front. It is complimented by a Collision Mitigation Brake System. These features are available as standard on CR-V EX-T, which will be available in the spring.

Standard to all models is Vehicle Stability Assist . . . a system which helps the driver maintain control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying brake force to the right- or left-hand wheels.

Active Front Lighting is included as are front, side and full-length curtain airbags with roll-over sensor and five ISOFIX fittings on rear seats. The new styling gives a 12% lower drag coefficient.

Result: better fuel economy.

The front has a bolder look with a more prominent bonnet, double grille and projector-style headlamps. At the rear, there is a vertically opening tailgate and the spare wheel is tucked under the boot. The wheelbase is reduced by 10mm and the front and rear tracks are wider.

With the interior, leather upholstery is standard on the EX and EX-T models.

Front seats are larger and the 'double-deck' luggage area offers good seat/load flexibility. Prices start at 42,400 for the ES, 46,745 for the EXand from 43,485 to 48,250 for the automatic transmission versions selling.

The 2.2 1-CTDi ES manual transmission sells at 45,495 with the EX priced at 50,260. The EXT with a glass panoramic roof will not be available until later.