Honda's new CR-V breaks cover

Refreshed, restyled and resized CR-V soft-roader debuts at 2011 Los Angeles motor show.

Honda has uncovered an all-new version of its CR-V crossover at the 2011 Los Angeles motor show.

Slightly shorter and lower than the model it replaces, the new Honda CR-V boasts more interior space and additional storage areas, including a smaller phone or coin pocket in the front doors.

Yet it retains its car-like interior and low loading heights that allow easy entry and egress but still provide a commanding view of the road.

The new CR-V SUV is due to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2012, and despite looking somewhat similar to its predecessor the restyled model has all new metal with a longer rear-end to offer more boot and back seat space. Honda says the new version also boasts a lower boot-lip height to make loading bigger items easier.

The fourth generation CR-V gets a revised version of the 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The updated mill produces 138kW of power (up from 125kW) and 220Nm of torque (up from 218Nm). Fuel consumption is expected to be about 9.0L/100km, a drop of 11 per cent over the current model.

Other design highlights include a revised front-end look with more streamlined bumper and grille, while the boxier rear-end still boasts the CR-V's trademark upright tail-lights.

The new model will be available internationally in both front- or all-wheel-drive, but Honda Australia says it cannot confirm whether it will follow competitors such as Toyota's RAV4, Nissan's X-Trail, Volkswagen's Tiguan and Mitsubishi's Outlander in offering a cheaper front-drive version. There is no word yet on a diesel option, either.

No matter which model you opt for, it will likely boast standard equipment such as alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone streaming and a rear-view camera. Standard safety gear is likely to include dual front, front-side and full-length curtain airbags, which Honda says will earn it a maximum five-star safety rating.

Overseas models also receive a clever SMS audio readout function, similar to that offered on the range-topping Toyota Yaris, but it's not yet clear whether that feature will be available on Australian models.

The CR-V was one of the first compact SUVs on the market and once dominated the local SUV sales race. Despite still selling strongly in the US – one of 160 countries it's sold in – the CR-V has slid down the Australian sales charts and is now outsold by a raft of models, including relative newcomers. Up until the end of October 2011 it was only the 10th best selling compact SUV according to figures supplied by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Earlier this year, though, Honda sharpened the price of the CR-V and added more equipment in a move to gain back ground lost to competitors.