HONDA does not mince its words when discussing the target audience for the new CR-V.

'Yummy mummies' are right in its sights with this sports utility vehicle, which is as smooth and refined as any sleek saloon.

The Swindon-built car, and it is a car not an off-roader, is leading the fight back against criticism of 4x4s as gas-guzzlers.

For the 2.0-litre, petrol-powered car has lower emissions, better fuel consumption and superior pedestrian safety than a 1.6-litre Mini Cooper S.

The CR-V has always been a winner on the school run since its launch in the UK ten years ago.

The good news is that the latest version is better equipped, sharper looking and, most importantly, rides more like a saloon than ever before.

Possibly the greatest benefit of a sports utility vehicle is the high driving position, which gives a feeling of safety and confidence.

But few SUV drivers venture off-road, which is why Honda has gone flat-out to increase the agility and improve the saloon-like ride quality and stability of the CR-V, without affecting either the car's load space or practicality.

To deliver a flatter ride, with greater stability, the centre of gravity has been lowered by 35mm and the front suspension has been specially designed and tuned for ride comfort and long wheel travel for harsh roads.

The CR-V is one of the cleverest SUVs on the road and all models are equipped with anti-lock braking and electronic brake force distribution systems, which adjust front-to-rear brake effort to achieve maximum braking performance and stability.

The CR-V has a sophisticated 4x4 system which in normal driving conditions operates as a conventional front-wheel drive system.

But if the front wheels begin to lose traction, then it automatically starts to send power to the rear wheels.

This year, the design has been enhanced to give better acceleration and hill climbing performance on slippery surfaces, as well as smoother responses and improved performance when accelerating around corners.

The EX grade test car really brought home the upmarket aims of the car, as it came absolutely dripping with luxuries from 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery and heated front seats, to DVD satellite navigation with Bluetooth hands-free telephone and rear parking camera and panoramic glass roof.

Since 1996, almost 2.5 million CR-Vs have been sold in 160 countries - more countries than any other Honda car.

Auto facts Honda CR-V 2.0i VTEC EX

  • Price: £25,500
  • Ins group: 12
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 34.9mpg
  • Top speed: 118mph
  • Length: 453cm/178.3in
  • Width: 182cm/71.6in
  • Luggage capacity: 19.6 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 12.7 gallons/58 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 192g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/90,000 miles