Some SUVs shout for attention. This 2023 Honda CR-V Black Edition just lets the blacked-out grille, darkened badges and shadow-finish wheels do the talking, and somehow that says more than any chrome ever could.

Slide behind the wheel and the appeal is immediate. The cabin is calm, the driving position is commanding without feeling bulky, and everything you reach for is exactly where your hand expects it. It is the kind of car that makes a school run, a weekend escape and a late commute all feel equally effortless.

The 1.5 litre turbo-petrol pairs with a smooth CVT to deliver easy, fuss-free progress around town and relaxed cruising once the road opens up. You get the willing response of forced induction with the sort of running costs that keep the accountant in the family quiet.

Space is where the CR-V quietly wins. There is genuine room for five, a boot that swallows the weekly shop and the pram and the dog, and clever storage tucked into corners you only discover when you need them. Practicality, without ever feeling like a compromise.

At just over 40,000 kilometres this one has barely cleared its run-in, and the Black Edition styling gives it a presence that still turns heads on the street. It is the sweet spot between a fresh car and a sensible buy.

For Melbourne families weighing up the used-SUV field, a tidy late-model CR-V from a Nunawading dealer is about as safe a landing as this segment offers. Reliable, frugal, roomy and genuinely good to live with day to day.

We did warn you it was understated. The only loud thing about this Honda is how quietly it keeps proving everyone who skipped the badge-snobbery completely right.

All prices displayed exclude government charges. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, MM Carz recommends you confirm with one of our consultants to confirm specific specifications/features about the car. Please also note our vehicles may not always be on display, as they may be in for detailing-please contact us in advance to confirm availability before visiting our showroom.