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Any way you say it, the CRV is a nice little SUV

My lovely wife likes to make up words from time to time or use words in a different manner than which they were intended. She usually doesn't realize she has used a word this way, because what she said makes sense to her.
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My lovely wife likes to make up words from time to time or use words in a different manner than which they were intended. She usually doesn't realize she has used a word this way, because what she said makes sense to her.

My son seems to be following in her footsteps as he will use a word sometimes and I have to ask him what it is and what it means. Other times he mixes up his words, as in "Hey dad, look it's the secretary."

For the life of me I couldn't see the secretary from his school anywhere, until I realized what he meant was, "Hey dad, look it's the

cemetery."

I too like to make up words now and then, or use words for a different purpose than what they actually mean.

For instance, Wikiup. Basically it is a crude shelter made of brushwood, but I have started to use it in another way.

People who use the Internet a lot, and who are looking for information on something often go to Wikipedia to look up the information. So when someone asks me a question now and I don't know the answer I tell them to Wikiup, basically meaning "go to Wikipedia and look it up."

The reason I am mentioning this is because on my drive in the new Honda CRV, this week while playing with the information centre, a digital version of an analogue clock appeared on the screen. And as my mind works in weird ways from time to time I wondered if the clock would be an analogue clock as it looked like one, or would it be a digital clock as it was a digital display on the screen.

Or, maybe it would it be a digilogue clock - an analogue clock displayed in a digital format.

I can't let my wife and son have all the fun, can I?

Anyway, the clock is displayed on the screen that doubles as a readout for the CRV's back-up camera when reversing, and also displays all the information for the satellite radio.

The 2012 CRV has five more horsepower that its previous rendition but weighs several hundred pounds less, which means a better power to weight ratio, which means the five horsepower difference now feels like 20 more, and less weight means better gas mileage.

This new model CRV has less friction in its engine and parts, and roughly 60 per cent less friction in the all wheel drive system, which not only makes things quieter, but less friction means less power needed to run the vehicle, which in turn means better gas mileage.

The CRV I drove was loaded with options including power heated seats, dual zone climate control, power moonroof, Bluetooth for the phone, telescoping wheel, vehicle stability control, traction control, electronic brake distribution, tire pressure monitoring system and hill start assist to make sure when taking off on a hill there is no chance of you

rolling backward.

Inside the CRV there is plenty of room for five and more than enough storage room in the back. The rear seats also fold flat if more storage is needed, but it is the way the seats fold flat that caught my attention.

On the bottom of the seat is a small strap. Give it a tug and in two seconds flat the seat bottom flips and folds forward behind the front seat, while at the same time the head rest tilts forward and the seat back drops down to where the seat was.

It took me by surprise at first, but it was so much fun I did it three times.

On the road the CRV is quiet for a four cylinder, partly due to less friction in the engine.

Hit the fun pedal and the CRV drops to the necessary gear and takes off with gusto. Steering is tight and a little button where your thumb would be on the shifter allows you to drop a gear when extra power is necessary when

passing on the highway.

The CRV is a comfortable, well-equipped SUV providing good gas mileage and a smooth ride. It also comes with a nice digilogue clock.

SPEC SHEET:

Vehicle

Honda CRV

Vehicle type:

5-door SUV

Transmission:

5-speed automatic

Engine:

2.4-litre four cylinder

Horsepower:

185 @ 7,000

Torque:

163 @ 4,400

Mileage:

9.2 l/100 km

31 mpg City

6.6 l/100 km

43 mpg Hwy

Price as tested:

$35,180