2017 Honda CR-V vs Kia Sorento

What's the difference?

Honda’s once-ground breaking medium sized SUV enters its fifth generation, and will be a pivotal car for the venerable but vulnerable carmaker that’s slowly but surely lagging behind its key Japanese and Korean rivals - and the Chinese are coming, as well.

The fifth generation CR-V has come along way since its humble origins back in 1997. It does, however, have to line-up against a vastly wider arrange of contenders in an incredibly competitive space that not only includes its old arch rival, the Toyota RAV4, but category leaders like Mazda's CX-5, and new players like the Peugeot 5008 and the Haval H7.

Amidst its line-up of five-seaters is the sole seven-seat offering, known as the VTi-L, which sits just one place shy of the top spot in the CR-V pecking order. Does the updated CR-V in seven-seat mode tick all the boxes? Let's find out.

Parenthood is a funny thing. And not always in a 'ha ha' way.

There you are one minute, living it large, travelling to amazing locations, climbing the career ladder, partying 'til dawn, with money in the bank, and a fabulous shoe collection. The next you are a parent. And the world changes. Or yours does, in every way.

The flash sporty car makes way for a sedate sedan or SUV. As the kids grow you play taxi driver to not just them, but their friends as well. That seven-seater you scoffed at on your way home from a weekend music festival just a few short years ago, is now a coveted prize.

If this scenario feels familiar, Kia's award-winning Sorento may be just the ticket. We put the all-wheel drive (AWD) Platinum to the family test.