The Honda CR-V is a car much loved by Filipinos.  Ever since the first-generation sold in 1995, it became “the car” to have.  It displaced the mid-sized sedan as the choice of the business executive and family man alike.  It wasn’t uncommon to see a CR-V escorted by bodyguards—it was a sensible and more importantly, upscale choice.  Reinventing itself into a 10-seater model in 2002 and priced to compete with the Revos and Crosswinds, it sold like hotcakes, albeit at the expense at some of its upscale image.  For a time, it was the country’s best-selling Honda—outselling even the Civic compact sedan.  Of course, such success had its share of critics.  The second-generation model was beleaguered with complaints about a less than stellar build quality, cheap materials and the lack of all-wheel drive (though it returned back during a mid-cycle facelift).  So, after the much hyped wait for the third-generation model—how will the Filipino favorite fair?

First of all, let’s talk technology.  The CR-V wears its heart not on its shoulder, but on its shoe—well, actually its platform, which is shared with the Civic.  That said, go-anywhere off-roading isn’t the CR-V’s main selling point; though unparalleled riding comfort on pavement is.  Everyone loves the Civic’s riding comfort, but the CR-V takes it to the next level.  It starts with a bulkier body (1475 kilograms of curb weight) then throw in a revised and re-tuned all-around independent suspension and a helping of amply thick tires (225/65 R 17s) and you have a sport utility vehicle with a ride to mix it up with cars double its price.  Forget being based on the Civic—with a ride like this, you’d swear the new CR-V shares more in common with the Accord.

The good news doesn’t stop with the suspension.  There’s a choice between two 4-cylinder engines: either a 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter, both equipped with i-VTEC.  Honda Cars Philippines was gracious to lend the 150 horsepower 2.0-liter, and this reviewer came out ultimately impressed.  The 2.0 S (as the front-driver CR-V is officially called), is never short on power and acceleration.  Though the usual 5-speed automatic is indeed available on either front-wheel or all-wheel drive models, Honda, being an engineering-based company, makes a 6-speed manual available with the CR-V.  Located on the center console, the stick shift is nothing short of sweet with a nice engagement and ‘snick click’ accuracy.  The clutch travel, though initially grabby, is easy to master given some time.  As a result, the CR-V accelerates without any hesitation.  Overtaking is as simple as dropping a gear and seeing the engine speeds climb up as high as 6,800 rpm.  And even after all that redline hijinks, the CR-V, as odd as it may sound, is one tree-huging SUV.  It manages to do 11.1 km/L in the city.  It’s unimaginable what kind of mileage figures it can do once it hits the highway.

Though sleeker, the overall execution of the Honda CR-V borders on being cautious...except for the front-end though, where it resembles an angler fish.