The New Honda CR-V  SUV has scooped the prestigious ‘4x4 of the Year’ honour from respected publication Total 4x4 Magazine. It’s the new CR-V’s first award win since arriving in dealerships only two months ago.

The competition was fierce and the magazine’s test team pitted the Honda against several key rivals in the ‘Medium SUV’ segment. Total 4x4 Magazine’s testing process is comprehensive, ranging from interior quality, comfort and practicality to repeated drives of a set road route by different judges.

The publication’s editor, Alan Kidd, commented: “Never before have there been so many likely candidates for the overall title. However, from the moment we started crawling around inside the CR-V, it was clear Honda had hit the jackpot. The quality of its interior is on a par with the best, and its flexibility is exceptional – and that was before we actually drove it.”

He continued: “Seldom has a new 4x4 put such a big tick in so many boxes. It takes an awful lot to impress us these days. The new CR-V didn’t just impress us – it made our jaws drop.”

Frank Kennedy, Sales & Marketing Director of Universal Honda Ltd, was thrilled with the honour. “For the new CR-V to take its first award so soon after launch is a real new year treat for everyone and a fantastic way to start 2013. We hope it will be the first award of many.”

The new CR-V is in dealerships now with prices starting from €39,295 for the highly equipped 2.2 i-DTEC SE model, with annual road tax of €390. For full details on the new model please visit www.honda.ie