Torrance, California - Honda's practical CR-V has come in for a small midlife makeover.
Honda has released the first official picture of its upgraded softroader ahead of its US introduction on 1 October and will only be releasing full information the day before that.
The facelift does lend a bolder look to what is considered a rather smooth and car-like appearance by SUV standards and the new layered grille forges a family resemblance to the latest Jazz and Ballade models. Honda also redesigned the headlights and bumper.
The body remains as before with its cab-forward dimensions that make it among the most spacious vehicles in its class.
It's unlikely that much has changed beneath the skin, which means it'll soldier on, in SA, with the current 114kW 2-litre and 140kW 2.4-litre normally aspirated petrol engines and the 110kW/350Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel.
The more budget-oriented 2-litre models are front-wheel driven while the bigger-engined CR-Vs are fitted with a permanent all-wheel drive system for mild off-roading.
No South African on-sale dates have been confirmed yet, but expect to see the upgraded CR-V on local shores in 2015.