CONTRARY to what some people would have us believe, motorists do have legs.
And when they go for a walk with someone, possibly someone they share a car with, they may walk beside them or slightly infront of them or behind them.
We instinctively walk based on our experiences.
It's much the same with the Honda CR-V SUV. It follows its own course along a road through society which has been laid down in expectation. But how differently does the Honda make progress.
The CR-V has been a remarkable success for Honda because it realised, before many others did, that the full suspension-compressing, mud-spinning world of the heavy 4x4 was far removed from the realities of coping with a wintry road, a grassy field or aptly-named slipway.
Mildly testing poor grip conditions are far more common than getting up to your diff-case in mud or snow.
But if you have a vehicle which can acquit itself with ease in bad conditions, can carry four or five in comfort and has a reasonably large luggage compartment, you can appreciate it all the more.
Add to that desirable shopping list good safety and low running costs and it all begins to make a lot of sense. Unless, of course, you drive a Honda CR-V. Because you already know this.
Recently the Honda CR-V was relaunched with a new body and refined running gear spread over six versions, three trim levels and choice of either 138bhp 2.2 diesel or 148bhp 2.0 petrol engines with only six-speed boxes on the former but choice of optional five-speed auto with the petrol derivatives.
Prices run from £18,827 to £24,717, with around £1,100 added for the automatic.
I tried the entry-level 2.0 SE with optional self-changing five-speed box and it comes with standard intelligent four-wheel-drive, electronic stability control, powered windows and mirrors, cd player and air conditioning. Unfortunately, there's no sunroof available or leather seats in this version.
But it does come with a comprehensive air bag system for occupants and it has picked up a top rating for protection systems.
Personally, I like the new sweeping roofline and profile of the latest Honda CR-V, but I realise it may not be to everyone's taste and despite my initial apprehension it did not restrict rear headroom at all.
What you can load into the back is also little compromised and with four up it will take 556 litres. By gradually dropping the back seats the capacity rises to a useful 955 litres under the sloping roof.
It is easy to load from the back and access is very good for passengers while the front seat occupants will enjoy a very good range of adjustment, even if the driver is short and needs to sit close to the wheel, which is often not easy in many vehicles made for big people.
The well-shaped seats are comfortable but I really prefer leather for longer life and low maintenance.
Ride quality is very good over any surface. The Honda's suspension soaks up bumps and potholes and it is never put off line by mid-corner surface changes. The body roll is very well controlled and there's no pitching or dipping under acceleration or braking.
It has reasonable acceleration once it gets going and it cruises quietly at the legal limit and loves to be revved with the usual Honda fussiness from under the bonnet. It is quiet up to a point but I would find that noise irritating if regularly provoked.
The automatic gear changes or manually assisted selection is faultless with seamless movement up or down but sometimes I found it hunting for the right gear for a situation and then the manual mode was preferred.
The steering and brakes are excellent and it feels a very agile and responsive vehicle in the tightest parking space or the most winding roads.
Oddments space is good for a family car and the vision is very good all round and appreciated by children in the back.
The good handling is matched by failsafe roadholding and it inspires confidence in abilities in any conditions.
There may not be enormous reserves of power under the wheels but the Honda CR-V 2.0 SE Auto uses what is there in an intelligent manner.
In distancing itself from rivals in the soft-road sector, the Honda CR-V has emerged head and shoulders above most of them. It's not so much a walk on the wild side as a walk on the wise side.
FAST FACTS
Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC SE auto
Price: £19,927
Mechanical: 148bhp, 1,997cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 5spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 110mph
0-62mph: 12.2 secs
Combined mpg: 34.4
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 195g/km
BiK rating: 26%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust