I’d say in the diesel vs. hybrid debate here is another winner for diesel. The only comparable small hybrid SUV really is the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid which is slower to 60 and only gets 34/30 mpg. This Honda CR-V Diesel gets 51.64mpg and 60mpg when cruising at a constant 62mph. Hopefully in a few years we’ll actually see one in the States too. From motoring.co.za.

Honda has introduced its first diesel to the South African automotive market.

The CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi has a 2204cc, 16-valve, four-cylinder turbodiesel for which Honda quotes 103kW at 4000rpm and 340Nm at 2000 which, it says, makes the new CR-V ideal for towing weekend toys down to your favourite playground.

It will accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 10.3sec with a top speed of 187km/h but what Honda is really trumpeting is its fuel-consumption – it says the oil-burner CR-V will average 6.5 litres/100km, dropping to 5.7 at a steady 100km/h.

Thanks to high-pressure, common-rail, direct fuel-injection the engine is also smooth-running, says Honda, without the usual diesel clatter at idle and under acceleration

The combustion chambers are linked to a continuously variable swirl control valve in the intake manifold chamber which, it says, provides smoothly-graded control of the swirl ratio, varying from a high setting during idling and midrange operating conditions to a low setting at higher engine speeds.

The common rail injection system operates at pressures of up to 1600bar and a pilot injection or “pre-squirt” prior to the main injection phase helps to lower combustion noise.

The CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi is available on the SA market with a six-speed manual gearbox that has a tall sixth gear for relaxed, long-distance cruising.

The turbodiesel retains the petrol model’s all-wheel drive that engages when needed by transferring torque to the rear wheels as soon as the control unit senses the need for additional traction

To further improve the CR-V’s towing ability it has trailer stability assist, which corrects trailer swing by adjusting power and braking force to the wheels independently.

Honda SA marketing manager John Laurence said: “The CR-V’s sedan-like comfort levels and stable ride and handling characteristics are an ideal match for this engine’s smoothness and refinement.

“The 2.2 i-CTDi is perfect for customers looking for the benefits of a diesel SUV but unwilling to accept the unrefined nature these vehicle have shown in the past.”

According to Honda SA general sales manager Graham Eagle the CR-V slots into the C/D segment of the SUV market.

“We see the 2.2 i-CTDi attracting customers currently driving D-segment sedans,” he said, “as well as from the SUV segment -especially those looking for premium crossover vehicles.”

The existing, petrol-driven CR-V is already achieving monthly sales of 150, he says, and he expects the diesel model to increase that by 80 units a month.

Bottom line

The Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi costs R326 900, including a three year or 100 000km warranty, a five year or 90 000 km service plan and a year’s roadside assistance.

Service intervals are 10 000km.