Towing capacity is limited to 680 kg, or 1,500 lbs, which is pretty much the norm in its class. Still, other 4-cylinder SUVs can do better, such as the Suzuki Grand Vitara and Subaru Forester.

The CR-V is only available with a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder that develops 166 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque.

Fuel economy is the CR-V’s forte, although once again, it’s not the best in its class, but our recorded average of 10.5 L/100 km is nothing to complain about.

The CR-V’s ride is quite pleasant and actually felt more compliant than the model I had driven a couple of years ago. Its handling is what you’d expect from a compact SUV built on a car chassis: some body roll but controllable motions, tuned for comfort more than performance, and exactly what it should be.

Slack jaw
We’re starting to get used to the CR-V’s peculiar grin. Yet the hood that overlaps the grille still looks funny, and other styling details raise eyebrows, like the lumps on the black portion of the bumpers and rocker panels, the bulge in the liftgate, or the rear-quarter windows that don’t follow the roofline.

Overall, though, the Honda’s rounded, tortoise-like shape won’t offend anyone, and goes largely unnoticed on the road. Don’t expect to make a fashion statement behind the wheel of a CR-V, even though small SUVs are the current trend right now.

Competition
The Honda CR-V, in front-wheel drive format, starts at $27,790, while our loaded EX-L with all-wheel drive breaks the bank at $35,190.

Here’s how competition lines up in fully-equipped trim, but with a 4-cylinder engine:

Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD (2010), 182 hp, $35,070
Ford Escape Limited AWD, 171 hp, $33,799
Jeep Compass Limited 4WD, 172 hp, $27,295
Jeep Patriot Limited 4WD, 172 hp, $26,895
Mitsubishi Outlander ES 4WD, 168 hp, $29,248
Nissan Rogue SL AWD with Leather Package, 170 hp, $33,733
Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited (2010), 170 hp, $32,795
Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX-L, 166 hp, $29,995
Toyota RAV4 Limited 4WD with Leather Package, 179 hp, $33,895
Volkswagen Tiguan Highline 4MOTION, 200 hp, $38,375

The hood that overlaps the grille still looks funny, and other styling details raise eyebrows.