HONDA'S fourth generation of its CR-V has undergone a modest refresh for 2015, following its launch in 2012.

On the outside at least the changes are minimal with new bumpers, headlights and new alloy wheels.

On the inside there are subtle rather than overt improvements to the interior, in particular through the use of higher quality plastics in the cabin.

The real changes are on the engineering side, with a new engine line-up and for those who opt for an automatic getting a far smoother nine-speed automatic box over the old five-speed one.

Mechanically this car was little altered from the previous range, featuring the existing 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel powerplant and a manual gearbox.

However, the old 2.2-litre diesel engine has now been dispensed with in favour of a twin-turbo version of the 1.6-litre unit that delivers 158bhp.

Alongside the two diesels there's a 2.0-litre petrol option.

The lower-powered diesel was a real case of ‘if it ain't broke don't fix it' and despite the addition of a more powerful if slightly less frugal and higher emissions model, remains a decent all-rounder.

In a world that's gone crossover-crazy the CR-V can rightly lay claim to having ‘got there first' honours.

Before the likes of the Mazda MX-5, Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai were even dreamed-up the CR-V was established as a mid-sized SUV of some note and its now in its third incarnation.

The CR-V has always made a lot of sense too.

Rather than being a much-maligned and gargantuan Chelsea Tractor it has always been a far more real world vehicle with all the desirable attributes of an SUV - such as a high driving position and oddles of space - without being the sort of vehicle you had to spend 20 minutes driving around the supermarket car park in before you could find a space big enough.

Of course the CR-V isn't really a crossover at all, though these days given the huge growth in the crossover market it's a sector that it is inevitably competing in.

And while it's not a traditional cavernous SUV in the true sense of the word its biggest single advantage is probably space.

The CR-V looks like it could accommodate a third row of seats and though it doesn't it has the sort of boot space (589 litres) that really puts many of its rivals well and truly in the shade.

This complements a roomy and open feel throughout the cabin.

There are four trim levels S, SE, SR and EX, all of which come with alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors. SR and EX models feature sat-nav as standard.

The CR-V is a comfortable vehicle to travel in with a supple suspension set-up that soaks the lumps and bumps up well.

As such it is perfectly at home as a motorway cruiser and has a nice big car feel.

Handling is appropriately SUV-like, insofar as it's not the sort of thing that's been designed for going round corners at high speed, but again its perfectly palatable as an everyday driver's car in a variety of road settings.