WE’VE had a bunch of SUVs in our driveway over the past decade or so, but there’s one that rate’s highest on the wife-meter.

It’s the Honda CR-V and the effect it has on women is astounding.

The combination of style, comfort and drivability make it a sure-fire winner with the soccer mums.

The cabin design is excellent and creates a wonderful sense of space. There’s plenty of room for mum (who must drive), dad, the kids and all their bags and balls in the rear. It’s a dream for families.

With mum behind the wheel, the fact the Honda isn’t the most powerful chariot in the segment doesn’t register as a negative.

The positives are handling, visibility, smooth ride and ease of parking.

Because the package has been such a successful one, Honda has decided to refresh it rather than make wholesale changes for 2010.

The latest inclusions are:

Curtain airbags introduced to entry model

Front, side and curtain airbags now standard across the range

Revised front suspension

Revised exterior styling

Auto lights and wipers on Luxury model

There have also been improvements that see less noise and vibration make their way into CR-V’s cabin, and the addition of two new accessory packs _ the Active pack and Modulo Sports pack.

The Active pack includes Bluetooth, Side steps, Roof racks, Deluxe mats, Cargo protector tray, Chrome exhaust tip, side window visors, door sill garnish and dust and pollen filter.

Modulo Sports’ features side steps, front skid plate, rear skid plate, Tailgate spoiler, Sports grille, Chrome exhaust tip and chrome mirror covers.

Both packs sell for $2,699 including fitting.

The CR-V’s styling changes see distinctive new bumpers, an evolution of the two-step grille, revised exterior mirrors to further reduce wind noise, chrome exhaust tip and new design alloy wheels on both the Sport and Luxury models.

The CRV’s car-like ride and handling has been further improved with changes to the front castor angles and compliances bushes at the rear.

Inside, new design door handles and interior surfaces, upgraded fabrics and plastics create a more premium finish, combining the toughness of an SUV with the quality of a passenger car. A new interior colour replaces the ivory of the previous model.

Sport variants get new 7-spoke alloy wheels and the Luxury receives new design 5 twin-spoke alloy wheels as well as auto headlights and wipers.

The CR-V’s colour palette has been expanded to six eye-catching colours including two new additions, Urban Titanium and Habenero Red.

In addition to the specification upgrades, pricing of the 2010 CRV range is more compelling, offering customers even greater value for money.

MANUFACTURER’S LIST PRICE* (excludes Dealer delivery and statutory charges)

VARIANT

FLAT PAINT

METALLIC PAINT

Standard Manual

$30,990

$31,465

Standard Auto

$33,290

$33,765

Sport Auto

$38,790

$39,265

Luxury Auto

$42,790

$43,265

CIVIC GETS A BOOST, TOO

CR-V is not the only model to be given a spruce-up for 2010.

Honda Australia has improved the Civic package, adding curtain airbags as standard equipment on the entry model Civic VTi sedan.

All 2010 Civic sedans are bristling with the latest safety technology, starting with the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, ABS Brakes with EBD, active front head restraints, dual front, side and curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) as standard.

In addition, the 2010 Civic offers an expanded palette that includes Dyno Blue and Habenero Red.

Dyno Blue is making its Australian debut, while Habenero Red was first seen with the introduction of the Honda City in February 2009.

Other upgrades include sporty ten-spoke 16 inch alloy wheels on the VTi-L model.

The Honda Civic remains one of Honda’s most successful vehicles in Australia, spanning three decades. The upgrades to the eighth-generation Civic will ensure its ongoing success in the competitive small car segment.

The eighth-generation Civic is also a multi-award winner in Australia. The Civic VTi was crowned ‘Best Mid Size Car under $28,000’ by Australia’s Best Cars (Australia’s major motoring clubs award) in 2006 and 2007 and also received Drive’s Car of the Year ‘Certificate of Excellence’ for Best Interior in 2006.

CIVIC - 1.8 VTI manual

$22,990

$23,465

CIVIC - 1.8 VTI auto

$25,290

$25,765

CIVIC - 1.8 VTI-L manual

$26,690

$27,165

CIVIC - 1.8 VTI-L auto

$28,990

$29,465

CIVIC - 2.0 SPORT manual

$31,990

$32,465

CIVIC - 2.0 SPORT auto

$34,290

$34,765

CIVIC – Hybrid

$34,490

$34,965