Honda CR-V

Compact four-wheel drives are often unrealistic as a towing vehicle, especially the ones with a relatively small four-cylinder engine. But Honda's changes to the new CR-V, especially in the engine department, have made it a viable towing alternative to the bigger, thirstier four-wheel-drives.

Gone is the small, peaky 2.0lt four-cylinder engine, replaced with a bigger 2.4lt version. This increase in cubes brings with it a welcome boost to torque, all-important when hauling boats and boating gear around.

On paper, the 2.4lt engine's fat torque spread is a potential winner. And for once, the marketing spiel carries over to real-world performance. The CR-V gets oodles of grunt from a relatively small capacity engine, and a large portion of torque is available right across the rev range. The Honda now has a lot more low down pulling power, important in a vehicle that can legally tow up to 1500kg on a braked trailer. Trailers without brakes are limited to 600kg.

Getting the power down is a doddle, the CR-V using the latest in slip-and-grip technology to send the torque where it'll do the most good. Honda calls it a real-time four-wheel system, and here's how it works. The CR-V is mostly a front-wheel-drive vehicle, making the most of this system's fuel economy advantages. As soon as the front wheels start to slip, a sizeable chunk of torque is redirected to the rear wheels to give the CR-V a healthy grip on the road and consistent pulling power.

The system is so smooth we'd challenge you to pick the moment when the rear wheels kicked in their share of the work. And that's a good thing, especially when a vehicle's jerky progress can be exaggerated by the trailer, causing all sorts of stress to the tow ball and mount, not to mention the chassis.

Compared to the larger 4WDs favoured by those who tow, the CR-V is miles ahead if your boat isn't too big. Trade down into a CR-V from a bigger four-wheel drive and the benefits will be welcome in the wallet. Very welcome.

If you're planning to tow bigger boats, then the CR-V is definitely not the vehicle for you. But for tinnies, runabouts and smaller powerboats - anything under a ton is realistic - the CR-V is a hard vehicle to pass up. Especially in the under-$35,000 price range.

For the money, the CR-V comes competitively well-equipped. Along with the new 2.4lt four-cylinder engine, four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and Honda's real-time 4WD system, both models get dual front airbags, air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, CD player, split folding rear seats and engine immobiliser.

Honda pulled out the smarts to give the new CR-V a Tardis-like increase inside the cabin, with little effect on the outside. The end result is almost 10% more interior room in a vehicle only 5mm longer and 30mm wider than its predecessor. Biggest change inside is the relocation of the handbrake to the centre console.

Now looking more like a joystick than a handbrake, the lever retracts into hiding when set, camouflaging itself as an integral part of the centre console. The automatic gear selector is also dash mounted, a shorter version emerging to the left of the steering wheel.