Compact Recreational Vehicle? Comfortable Runabout Vehicle? Charmingly Rugged Vehicle? Theories abound about what the initials CR-V stand for on Honda’s big-selling 4x4, which has undergone a major refresh.

My money’s on the first suggestion, though any of the three seem accurate to me.

The CR-V has been around since the mid-1990s and has grown into a very well-respected model.

From humble origins (the first version was a hurriedly-launched model based on the Civic) it has, thanks to Honda’s efficiency, become respected for being chunky, dependable and well-priced.

It’s spacious, good to drive, very competitively-priced, safe and well-built. What’s more, it’s built in Swindon.

The latest changes are important, though. Honda has spent a great deal of time and effort making it quieter and more refined so that it feels now like a posh estate rather than a rugged off-roader.

Upgraded cabin, better fabrics, more polished fascia and better sound-proofing have created an executive feel which perhaps wasn’t too obvious in the earlier models.

Honda, too, has moved with the times and expanded the diesel offering, which is important these days.

Tested here we have the ES grade in 2.0 litre petrol mode. ES means it comes with a raft of features such as 18in alloy wheels, cruise control, heated seats, air conditioning and a double-deck cargo space in the boot. It also has parking sensors and a USB connection for iPods.

I guess the diesel would be the obvious choice, but don’t dismiss the petrol too lightly. It manages nearly 35mpg on a run, only a few miles fewer than the diesel, and has terrific performance. It skips lightly to 60mph in 10.2 seconds and rides and handles beautifully for such a big beast.

Top-spec EX models come with DVD voice-activated satellite navigation with premium audio and subwoofer, full leather upholstery with front heated seats, HID Xenon headlights and auto headlight-on function, panoramic roof, rain sensor, reverse tilt mirror and eight-way driver power seat.

It’s easy to dismiss big SUVs these days for being thirsty and ostentatious, but this model strikes a nice balance. It looks workmanlike, yet offers executive frills. And while it may be a chunky car, capable of navigating fields and streams, it’s really very much at home in towns and villages.

Two active safety systems continue to be available on the CR-V and are unique in the SUV segment. Adaptive Cruise Control is a radar-controlled cruise control function which maintains a set distance to the vehicle in front, and Collision Mitigation Braking System predicts collisions and warns the driver, before applying braking and retracting the seatbelts. These systems are optional on EX models.

Honda CR-V 2.0I VTEC ES:- PRICE: £22,805. Range starts at £21,005.

ENGINE: 2.0 litre 148bhp unit offering four-wheel-drive.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 118mph, 0-60mph in 10.2 seconds.

COSTS: Average 34.4mpg.

EMISSIONS: 190g/km.

INSURANCE: Group 27.

WARRANTY: Three years, 90,000 miles.

Steve’s ratings: Performance: 4/5 Economy: 3/5 Ride/Handling: 3/5 Space/Practicality: 4/5 Equipment: 4/5 Security/Safety: 4/5 Value For Money: 3/5 OVERALL: 4/5