Honda is getting a reputation for making quirky cars and there’s nothing wrong with that, writes James Stinson
Honda doesn’t do mass market, at least not in the UK where it wasn’t even among the top twenty biggest selling car brands (21st) last year. But the Japanese brand does have a great reputation. And in recent years has veered away from its traditionally conservative image by making cars that sit outside the mainstream. The mid-sized HR-V goes up against cars like the Skoda Karoq and Nissan Qashqai and if I had my sensible, family hat on, I’d probably choose one of those over the HR-V. But not all of us are hauling kids around on a daily basis. Some buyers may want a car that looks a little different, has bags of quality, a little ingenuity and plenty of comfort.
Some will want a Japanese car and some will just want a Honda. It’s a brand that commands a great deal of loyalty after all. The HR-V is a petrol hybrid, which is a popular option for buyers wary of making the leap to fully electric motoring. It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine that acts as a generator to charge the two electric motors driving the front wheels, with regenerative braking tech helping to recharge the battery.
Producing a maximum 129bhp, it’s the sole available power option for the HR-V and is coupled with an e-CVT transmission. Using “Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive” the HR-V automatically switches between electric, petrol engine power and hybrid (a mixture of both), depending on the type of driving you’re doing, in order to provide the best performance and efficiency. At low speeds in and around town it will even travel in electric mode only with a combination of electric and petrol running propelling you along at faster speeds. It’s all pretty seamless apart from the noise of the engine kicking in.
The combined power output is 129 bhp, which is capable of delivering the HR-V from 0 to 62mph in a little over 10 seconds. Fuel economy is really impressive. Honda quotes a claimed 52.3 mpg but a week’s driving, mostly in and around town, comfortably delivered more than this during our week-long test drive. The CVT gearbox too is at its best when not being pushed. Put your foot down and the revs surge to noisy levels before settling down again. Inside, the HR-V boasts a simple, well thought out cabin, with excellent build quality and a pleasing material fit and finish.
There’s plenty of space in the front though the sloping roofline means tall passengers may feel a little compromised in the rear. At 335 litres, the boot isn’t the biggest but if you fold down the rear seats, you’ll reveal a completely flat 1,305-litre load space. The HR-V also gets the Honda ‘magic seats’, which have bases that flip up like cinema seats, allowing you to carry tall items in the rear. Elegance, Advance, Advance Plus, Advance Style and Advance Style Plus make up the available trim levels, with the entry specification including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, digital dials, heated front seats, and a nine-inch touchscreen with a reversing camera.
Advance trim is the one to go for – attracting buyers with extra standard kit such as an automatic tailgate, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and a heated steering wheel. Advance Style models add a contrast roof colour, LED active cornering lights, an upgraded audio system and wireless smartphone charging. At the top of the range, Advance Style Plus boasts a glass roof, some extra styling touches and a unique set of alloy wheels. Prices start from £31,495, with the Advance model starting from £33,995 and Advance Style available from £37,195. Finance options are available from £289 per month.