A CR-V that does not light my fire

There are few things in life that I find totally boring. I can't stand golf, and I find choral music a yawn and the DStv TBN channel can put me to sleep any day.

I am tempted to add the Honda CR-V to this list, because it ain't no ball of fire.

Well at least that's the impression this little SUV gives.

But, after a while, I got to understand what it is actually about.

Not everyone tries to show off. If I had to buy a car for my father, the CR-V would be one of the great contenders. My father hates new cars because he feels they are all too complicated, with all that technology. But I think that the CR-V would suit him just fine. It is a basic car that will make anyone happy. Well, at least those who are minimalists.

The exterior design gives an illusion that this car is actually bigger than it really is. It has edgy lines which make it attractive, but is understated enough to blend into the background.

It is definitely up there with the likes of the Kia Sportage, the Ford Kuga and the VW Tiguan. Though a bit duller than the rest, what the CR-V lacks in excitement it makes up for in comfort and functionality.

It is very spacious inside, with boot space so vast it could even fit in two Jeremy Mansfields.

The CR-V comes in three petrol versions - the Comfort, Elegance and Executive. There is also the diesel-powered i-DTEC Executive..

I tried the 2.0 i-Vtec petrol which seemed at home everywhere I went. I wouldn't rush to show it off to friends as it is not that kind of car. It made me wish I had a husband, two kids and a dog. It just fits that picture.

The CR-V comes standard with great features: parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, privacy glass windows in the rear, front fog lights and cruise control. The Executive has even more features, such as chrome exhaust pipe finisher, leather seats, electric sunroof, cruise control, a premium six-CD player with iPod compatibility, HID Xenon auto-on headlights with washer, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and body coloured bumpers, wheel arches, mudguards and side sills.

So, as much as the CR-V is a basic car, it seems the Executive is made for those who want to be a little bit flashy but still understated enough to move under the radar. It is also very safe to drive, with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and front, side and curtain airbags. Honda is after all known for its reliability.

I think the Hondas come in second behind Toyota, based on my scale, which says reliability = boring.

The CR-V is not cheap and neither is it that light on fuel. But for its size, it is not too bad.

The Comforts starts at R309900 for the manual and R323900 for the automatic, with the range-topping i-DTEC Executive manual coming in at R445800 and the automatic at R461600.

I found the only exciting thing about the car to be the handbrake, which looks like some launch lever in an airplane. With the CR-V there are no fireworks but it's just that - a car for people who want the simpler things in life.