The fourth-generation Honda CR-V comes to the 2012 Paris Auto Show from 29 September to 14 October for its European debut.

The popular compact SUV (five million sold) will for the first time be available to European buyers in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models. Honda also claims that improvements in the petrol and diesel engines of the small SUV have reduced greenhouse gas emissions – Honda claims a 12 per cent reduction in emissions from the previous CR-V without losing any of the power of the vehicle’s 2.0-liter i-VTEC petrol engine or 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel engine. The reduction is welcome news for the environment, Europe’s eco-conscious buyers and for many auto reviewers making the rounds at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.

The European edition of the new CR-V will be built at Honda’s production facility in Swindon, England; production on the model started in early September of 2012, a manufacturing decision that affirms Honda’s commitment to the UK market.

‘Instantly Recognisable’ with ‘Its Own Identity’

Honda rightly notes that this latest newcomer to the CR-V range is both ‘instantly recognisable’ as a member of the CR-V family, and yet ‘asserts its own identity’. A few aesthetic changes to the latest Honda CR-V are worth noting:

• Prominent three-bar grille and deep-set headlights
• A revised front bumper with LED daytime running lights
• Rear LED lights with a three-dimensional design
• Major controls in the interior of the vehicle are grouped according to function, with displays behind the steering wheel and in the centre of the cabin

Performance and Safety Features

The hidden features of the vehicle become clear upon a test-drive, and include Motion Adaptive electronic steering – a key performance and safety feature that allows for additional control of the vehicle at higher speeds – and a comprehensive safety package, from Honda’s Collision Mitigation Breaking System to the manufacturer’s advanced Lane Keeping Assist System, which alerts weary drivers when they stray too far from their assigned lane on the motorway.

The new CR-V also comes with front, side and curtain airbags, and has received positive reviews for its body structure, which is designed to absorb energy and protect the driver in the case of a collision. The CR-V is expected to receive a warm reception at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, given that Honda’s engineers and designers seem to have improved upon an already strong, tested brand, the CR-V.