WHEN winter weather affects our travelling the thoughts of many motorists turn to four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Get a covering of snow on the ground and who doesn't wish they had the traction and security of a 4x4.
But for most of the year the bulk of motorist prefer a more accommodating and more economical family saloon or estate.
And that's where the new Honda CR-V scores.
This soft roader drives like a saloon, has the carrying capacity of a large estate car and has four-wheel-drive on demand.
That means for most of the time the car is driven by the front wheels only, so you don't pay the heavier fuel costs of running a permanent four-wheel-drive vehicle. But when the system detects slippage of the front wheels it sends power to the rear wheels as well - to get you out of trouble.
Not that the CR-V is designed to replace the likes of a Range Rover or Mitsubishi Shogun. But when we have a good covering or snow or if you have to cross a muddy field it is more than capable of staying on the move when others are floundering.
Despite its off-road qualities the CR-V drives like a saloon, and a very well put put together one at that. Not that you would expect anything else from Honda.
But this SUV does give you the high, commanding driving position that so many motorists want and with it comes good all-round visibility.
Despite being a tall vehicle it handles just like a saloon and is surprisingly agile on sharp bends and corners.
First gear acceleration is not that sharp but once you get above that the CR-V goes well and is very refined.
The current model is the third generation of a car that has always been ahead of its time. The latest design loses the square look of its predecessors, with its rakish roofline and curvy rear end making it look far more streamlined with the privacy glass side windows adding to its overall image.
The spare wheel on the rear door has gone - tucked away beneath the luggage area - making for a much cleaner look, although I know a few CR-V drivers who always claimed it was good rear end protection against careless drivers.
Inside the CR-V there is enough space for the most demanding of families. Exceptionally wide front seats ensure comfort for the largest of traveller and rear seat passengers have more than adequate space to stretch out their legs.
The rear seat backs are split 20:40:20 instead of the previous 60:40 allowing a far more flexible mix between passenger and luggage. The rear seat also slides some 150mm, so you can increase or decrease the space for passengers/luggage.
The combination of a gear lever set high on the dashboard and a neat, tucked away handbrake release frees up floor space.
The top-of-the-range diesel model is packed with innovations to make life easier for the driver. In a belt and braces approach it has parking sensors back and front as well a a reversing camera to ensure you don't back into any low concrete bollards or over a child's cycle left lying on the floor.
Luggage presents no problem to this Honda, with the space beneath the rear hatch coping with 550 litres with the rear seat backs in place and increasing to 965 with them lowered.
There are also numerous other areas within the car for accommodating smaller items, including two glove boxes on the passenger side, a deep bin in the centre console and spacious door bins.
I liked the design of the high lift tailgate, especially as it opens right down to the bumper making loading easy.
Added features on the EX model included a twin sun roof and leather upholstery making it a very comfortable car to live with.
FAST FACTS
Honda CR-V 2.2 CDTi EX
Price: £25,080
Mechanical: 138bhp, 2,204cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 116mph
0-62mph: 10.3 secs
Combined mpg: 43.5
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 173g/km
BiK rating: 24%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust