HAMSTERS are not normally known as the best judges of motor vehicles but on this occasion, a cute pet rodent called Houdini Doodle was spot on.
The furry fur-ball was bought as a Christmas present for little Madeleine Hart.
But as her parents, Sharon and Alan, transported the hamster back home in their Honda CR-V, he escaped from his cardboard box and disappeared.
After days of coaxing and cajoling the pet out failed, the Buckingham couple had to dismantle the front of the 4x4 - and found Houdini Doodle fast asleep in the heating duct.
If you are going to stage the Great Escape, then the third generation CR-V is definitely the vehicle for you.
I tried a 2.2 CDTi EX diesel during a particularly freezing winter spell and found the cabin as cosy as a log-fire-heated country cottage.
Looks-wise, the CR-V has improved from earlier incarnations. It is less boxy and more curvaceous in shape, while the ugly rear wheel that was previously stuck to the boot has been moved inside.
The impressive 4x4 also drives exceptionally well, due to the fact that its quality four-wheel-drive kicks in on demand when the roads are particularly icy.
Despite being a diesel, the powerful CR-V offers a neat turn of foot, especially through the later gear range, taking you from 0-62mph in just over 10 seconds.
And while oil burning 4x4s continue to be the target of environmentalists, mine had very respectable fuel figures of 43.5 combined. That may not save the planet, but it's not going to do it much harm.
A well sprung suspension offers plenty of drive comfort, as do the leather seats and spacious, well laid-out interior.
I found the handling of this big vehicle exceptional.
Despite its size, the CR-V is powerful, agile and very manoeuvrable, attributes which have been aided by electronic stability control and a handy reversing camera which warns of obstacles behind.
Of course, as you would expect, there is a huge amount of space inside the top-selling CR-V. In fact, there was enough room for me to easily fit a wide-screen TV in the boot, without the rear seats having to go down.
The seats can, however, be split and pushed forwards or backwards, so you can increase or decrease space available - up to almost 1,000 litres.
Safety is also high priority with Honda and there are driver, passenger and side curtain airbags as well as 'front crush zones', which offer extra protection during any collision.
Houdini Doodle can sleep even easier on knowing that.
FAST FACTS
Honda CR-V 2.2i CDTi EX
Price: £25,080
Mechanical: 138bhp, 2,204cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 116 mph
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