Deliveries will begin in December, with engines at launch comprising a 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel, both adapted from the engines in the outgoing car. With 7,000 of the 17,000 UK cars expected to be sold to corporate customers, Honda has brought CO2 emissions of the 2.2 diesel down from 174g/km to 149g/km for the manual and 199g/km to 171g/km for the automatic gearbox.

Two wheel drive is new to the CR-V, launching on the 2.0-litre petrol to offer a low start price and to compete for 51% of the European petrol SUV market that the old car couldn’t. The 1.6 diesel will launch with two wheel drive only in late 2013, delayed due to prioritising engine allocation to the Civic. CO2 emissions of under 120g/km will allow it to aim for key rivals such as the Mazda CX-5, Nissan Qashqai and new Ford Kuga.

As well as reducing CO2, Honda has improved the equipment levels of the range-topping EX trim. This accounted for just under half of CR-V sales in the outgoing car, and 55% of UK sales for the new model will be in the EX trim. Honda said this gives them a stronger proposition for conquests from premium marques at the top end of the range.

European SUVs will be built at Honda’s plant in Swindon, and feature higher quality interior plastics, subtle styling changes and different drivetrain options to American and Japanese equivalents. Pricing and full UK specification hasn’t been announced as yet, but residual value guides will be given early views of the car in August, allowing early quotes from leasing companies ahead of its launch.