THE love affair that Irish motorists have with the SUV (sports utility vehicle) is set to grow this year.

Despite criticism of their size and the big-capacity engines associated with them, the forecast is that sales will be higher than last year, when SUVs came in fourth place behind the super minis, family and fleet sales categories. This despite Dublin City Council's proposal to double the fee for parking permits for SUV city residents and the possibility that Brian Cowen may increase the road tax charge on them.

More and more choice is being offered by a growing number of manufacturers to meet the demand for mid-sized SUVs and many are refining their product to provide the driving qualities of a car and improve economy.

Enter Honda with a new CV-R, a mid-sized SUV that hits the mark and should attract some positive attention to a beleaguered sector. Honda has moved the SUV upmarket, made it more pedestrian, family and driver friendly, and most importantly - it is not a gas guzzler.

The new model has been engineered to attract younger customers who prefer sportier cars and are more attracted to the trendy new crossover line-up of SUVs.

To fit the bill, equipment levels and driving dynamics have to be top drawer and Honda has worked hard here. The CR-V is the most fuel efficient and CO 2-emission friendly soft-road SUV in its class, with a new 2-litre 150bhp petrol engine that is 10% more economical than its predecessor. The 2.2-litre diesel is 3% more efficient. An additional reason for the better performance is the lowering of the drag coefficient by 12% thanks to the wind-cheating new design. The new model is wider (+41 mm), lower (-35 mm) and shorter (-105 mm) than the outgoing model.

There are three different specification levels to choose from - the ES, EX and the EX-T - and the 2-litre petrol with the ES specification will be the biggest seller followed by the petrolpowered EX.

The petrol engine uses a new fuel-control system and frictionreduction technology which bring in fuel-consumption figures varying between 8.1l/100km (34mpg) in urban areas to 6.7l/100km (42mpg) in open road driving. The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with 140 PS output can return 5.9l/100km (47.9mpg) on long journeys, according to Honda.

The test car, the ES petrol model, has new 17-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, dualzone climate control, a vehiclestability programme, a double-deck boot, indicators on wing mirrors, a trailer stability assist programme and a speedcontrol system. This model costs Euro42,000 with manual transmission and Euro43,485 with automatic transmission.

The cabin has an airy feel, good seats and with the new layout the gearshift is nearer the steering wheel for driver convenience.

The interior package makes for a relaxing drive and only at high speeds does wind and tyre noise intrude into the cabin. The highcommand driving position makes for extra safety.

Prices for the EX level - which has 18-inch alloy wheels, improved HID headlights, panoramic glass roof, satellite navigation, leather upholstery, eight-way power seats, rearview camera for parking, privacy glass and a hands-free telephone system - are Euro46,765 and Euro48,250 (automatic).

Meanwhile the EX-T has, as additional, equipment-adaptive cruise control and a collisionmitigation braking system (assists in braking in the event of an impending rear end collison with the car in front). The EX-T is priced at Euro52,770 and Euro54,255 (automatic).

There is no automatictransmission option in the diesel line up. The ES costs Euro45,495, the EX Euro50,260 and the EX-T Euro56,265.

A good value package that will help Honda break into the premium mid-sized SUV league.

VITAL STATISTICS Honda CR-V ES 2 litre petrol 150 Ps 4,530 mm 2,091 mm 1,675 mm 2,620 mm 0 -100km/ 10.2 secs 190 km/h manual 6.7L - 8.1 L/ 100km Euro42,000