HONDA’S fourth-generation SUV for the city is here, and as well as being bigger and comparatively more expensive compared with the car it replaces, it also brings a raft of changes.

In the main they’re improvements, with a cabin that builds on the versatility of the old one and provides a more refined experience for what has traditionally taken the mantle as the most urban-friendly small soft-roader.

The big drawcard, though, are fuel savings of up to 25 per cent over the old model, making the new CR-V much more attractive for owners wanting to avoid time at the petrol bowser.

The CR-V also gets a two-wheel-drive version for the first time, and while you would have thought that would significantly cut the entry price to the new-generation, in reality, the saving is only about $500 over the previous model that featured selectable all-wheel-drive.

We won’t shed any tears over Honda’s decision to yank the all-paw system out of the base CR-V, because in reality, it’s a high-riding hatchback and the number of owners who need to send drive to all four wheels will never be that great.