Honda HR-V Hybrid review

“Many drivers are now finding
‘new best friends’ from the East.
From Honda, in fact. And why not?
The very latest, third-gen, HR-V
compact SUV is made — perfectly —
in Japan and it’s an ideal fit with
UK roads...”

IT'S ALSO SMART, comfortable, practical, versatile, beautifully put together, and satisfying to drive — and if all of that isn't enough, it's also impressively thrifty on the fuel. The fact that it's a self-charging petrol-electric hybrid (you'll never, ever have to plug it in!) is the cherry on the cake.

Looks-wise, the HR-V is clean-cut handsome. Although a usefully sizeable 'compact' SUV (nose to tail it measures a manageable 4.34 metres), the appealing and well-considered coupe-esque styling neatly disguises its height so it looks lower and sleeker than many of its kind. The eye-catching multi-slatted grille and slim high-tech headlight treatment capped by a clamshell bonnet is a nod and a wink to the zeitgeist; unmistakably modern and subtly dramatic without being OTT.

Demand for these types of leaner-footprint family crossover/SUVs is more overheated than this year's 100-degree summer. With prices kicking off at Ł29K for Honda's five-door, five-seater, lifestyle-estate-look SUV, the HR-V should be a front-runner for your money.

“In spite of the complex
hybrid tech out of sight,
the HR-V is a cinch
to drive. Press the red
Power button on the
dash to the right of the
wheel and select Drive —
that’s it. Squeeze the
throttle and you’re off,
calmly and quietly.
You'll barely notice but,
like most of the hybrid
breed, the software
orchestrating the hybrid
system will move the
HR-V off the line initially
using pure battery power
although the engine
will likely soon kick-in,
and when it does
it works seamlessly in
the background...”

It wasn't that long ago that potential customers couldn't wait to pop the bonnet to see the engine on a new model; nowadays their first thought is to check out the comms and pair their phone... Still, for those interested in knowing the propulsive stuff, the HR-V make use of Honda's proven Intelligent Multi Mode Drive (i-MMD) technology. In the HR-V you'll find an efficient 105bhp 1.5-litre, four-pot petrol engine paired with two electric motors.

However, for most of the time the combustion engine is there to drive a generator, which in turn provides the electricity to drive the car via the second, more powerful electric motor (129bhp of power ably backstopped by 187lb ft of torque). At the same time, the engine can also charge up the hybrid's lithium-ion battery pack fitted beneath the rear floor. Drive is to the front wheels via Honda's own e-CVT 'autobox'.

To make the best use of the petrol-electric hybrid there are three driving modes — Hybrid, when the engine feeds the generator which then powers the motor that drives the wheels; EV (Electric Vehicle), which draws down power from the battery pack; and Engine Drive. In this setting a clutch temporarily locks-in the petrol engine to the driven wheels for the most efficient cruising at higher speeds. Left in Hybrid mode, the system mixes and matches as necessary. Braking electricity regeneration is automatic, topping up the battery pack at every opportunity.

In spite of the complex hybrid tech out of sight, the HR-V is a cinch to drive. Press the red Power button on the dash to the right of the wheel, then select Drive — that's it. Squeeze the throttle and you're off, calmly and quietly. You'll barely notice but, like most of the hybrid breed, the software orchestrating the hybrid system will move the HR-V off the line initially using pure battery power although the engine will likely soon kick-in, and when it does it works seamlessly in the background.

Zero to 62mph acceleration is more than brisk enough, coming in at 10.6 seconds, while the top speed, at 36mph above the UK's legal limit, is a perfectly ample 106mph. The good news is the official combined fuel consumption: 52.3mpg. A week's hard driving in our HR-V easily confirmed this with our test drivers — not known for their lightweight right feet — recording an overall real-world test average of 56mpg. That's really good news for everyday drivers who are likely to do even better than our hard-charging test team! And at 122g/km the HR-V's CO2 emissions won't cause you any sleepless nights, either.

Swing open the driver's door and climb aboard. The cabin styling is as appealing as the exterior's and defined by its smart and almost minimalist air, all underscored by typical Honda attention to detail and first-rate fit and finish. Along with high gloss black and satin chrome finishing the switchgear all feels 'engineered'; there's a premium feel from the controls, such as the knurled chromed rotary knobs operating the any-which-way air vents and the climate system's control panel.

“Zero to 62mph
acceleration is more
than brisk enough,
coming in at 10.6
seconds, while the top
speed is 36mph above
the UK's legal limit at a
perfectly fine 106mph. The good news is the
official combined fuel
consumption: 52.3mpg.
A week's hard driving in
our HR-V easily
confirmed this with our
test drivers — not known
for their lightweight right
feet — recording an
overall real-world test
average of 56mpg...”

The welcoming ambiance is further boosted by the tastefully upholstered seats in black synthetic leather with black fabric centre panels that feel as good as they look. The seats themselves are shapely and very supportive, helped by effective but non-intrusive bolstering. They also benefit from three-stage heating and there are height-adjustable belts for that bespoke fit. Another thing you'll find inside is plenty of space: a full fist of headroom even with the seat jacked up, plenty of elbow room, and a comfy left-foot rest. Getting in and out of the HR-V is also very easy courtesy of wide-opening doors and the SUV bodystyle's resulting higher hip-point for the seats.

The driving position is commanding even though it's not so high that you can go eyeball-to-eyeball with Range Rover drivers. Nevertheless, the visibility is excellent, there's a fine view down the bonnet, and placing the HR-V in rush-hour traffic or when parking is a piece of cake. The driver gets manual seat height adjustment and a lovely sporty, three-spoke, satin black leather-wrapped wheel to steer with — it feels very nice in your hands and comes with a heated rim, plus its multifunction controls are all clearly marked and foolproof to use.

Centre stage on the streamlined dash is a 'free-standing' 9-inch touchscreen. It's set at an ideal height to take in while you're driving and there are plenty of menu jump buttons, both hard and soft. The graphics are excellent and superbly clear, and the detailing of the 3D mapping and road names is sharp. The infotainment and navigation systems are idiot-proof and intuitive from the get-go. Making life on the move even easier is voice control with a wide range of commands.

Naturally, Honda's Connect infotainment system isn't the only comms feature; there's also Bluetooth handsfree telephone, a DAB radio with six speakers plus a front tweeter, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, Honda's My Honda+ app to keep you connected and informed when away from the car, e-call emergency assistance (two levels with buttons in the roof console), four USB ports, and a rear-view camera supported by four front and four rear parking sensors.

Directly ahead of the driver sits an equally good digital instrument panel with two trad-look 'dials'. While you still get a circular speedometer on the right, the lefthand side shows a variety of customisable driving data. Most importantly, in the display's centre you'll see a road speed readout with, next to it, the posted speed limit.

Not only is there class-leading room for people in the HR-V, but for their stuff too. Bottle-holding door bins, a large tray ahead of the selector lever for a smartphone (conveniently served by a 12V socket, USB, and charging USB ports), large siamesed dual-use cupholders, a storage box capped by the padded central armrest, plus a decent sized glovebox.

“Unlike in many other
cars, HR-V passengers
may well insist on sitting
in the back due to the
decent measure of
legroom, footroom
and backrests set at
relaxing angles.
Add to that supportive
cushioning and large
windows that make
looking out interesting
and it’s no surprise
that the Honda’s rear
chairs are ‘bagged’
as eagerly as the one
beside the driver...”

Kit-wise the mid-range Advance model is well-specced with keyless Smart Entry and Start, dual-zone automatic AirCon, electric parking brake (one that releases automatically as you drive away — not all do this) plus a brake auto-hold function, four fast-acting one-shot electric windows, heated and powerfolding door mirrors (on-demand or automatically on leaving), an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a set of very distinctive 18-inch black alloy wheels.

In addition to other safety tech and assists mentioned elsewhere there's all the advanced driver aids you'd expect: Forward Collision Warning, Agile Handle Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, Vehicle Stability Assist, Blind Spot information and Cross Traffic Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Intelligent Speed Limiter, plus hill descent (improves control on low-grip surfaces and steep hills). You also get LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, auto lights and wipes, high beam support, sequential front LED indicators, heated windscreen, door mirrors that tilt automatically when reversing, tyre pressure monitoring, and traffic sign recognition.

Unlike in many other cars, HR-V passengers may well insist on sitting in the back due to the decent measure of legroom, plenty of wriggle-room for feet, and backrests set at relaxing angles. Add to that supportive cushioning and large windows that make looking out interesting and it's no surprise that the Honda's rear chairs are 'bagged' as eagerly as the one beside the driver.

The logically sited rear door handles (high up, at chest height) are a breeze to use and the doors open wide onto a spacious rear cabin. It's airy inside, with long windows and comfy seats; the two outers are individually shaped, and the drop-down padded centre armrest has a built-in cupholder for each side. The outer armrests on the doors also incorporate a cupholder-cum-bottle-holder and there's another bottle-holder in the rear cabin end of the central console that's home to dedicated air vents and a pair of charging USB ports. Above your head you'll find no-fuss one-touch reading lights. The front seatback pouches are large and strong, and each has a handy mini-pouch for a smartphone. One thing is guarenteed: travelling in the back of a HR-V it's very easy to get comfortable and enjoy the views out through the large windows or, if that's how you feel, to chill and grab forty winks.

“This being a Honda
there’s another clever
twist to loading up:
the rear chairs are what
Honda calls its ‘magic’
seats — even quite
bulky, things can be
carried in the rear
passenger cabin simply
by flipping up both
individual seat bases
and locking them against
their backrests (it takes
just seconds).
Combined with the
wide-opening rear doors
and a minimal central
floor tunnel, this creates
a super-useful alternative
cargo area...”

The HR-V's well-damped ride does a great job of smoothing out second-rate blacktop, and it does it while rolling quietly along. Body control is also well managed, the steering positive and the brakes nicely modulated and very reassuring (particularly impressive given they must blend straight stopping power with a charging regeneration function for the battery pack). All in all this adds up to a confident and reassuring drive that lets the driver push on if it pleases them — or, simply relax and enjoy the HR-V's restful pace as it eats up the miles on long cross-country or motorway trips.

The HR-V offers its pilot three driving modes: Econ (thankfully with no noticeable performance penalty), Normal, and Sport, which brings out the 'zippy' in the hybrid powertrain. You can also use the selector's 'B' setting (P-R-N-D-B) to provide what is effectively 'engine braking' when whooshing through the twisty bits — at any time you can switch between Drive and Brake and flick between four strengths of brake regen deceleration using the paddle-shifters on the wheel's horizontal spokes. The HR-V Hybrid's road manners allow you to have some fun and it's as competent off the leash outside the city walls as it is urbane at pedestrian speeds inside them.

And finally... the boot. Deep, regularly shaped and clean-sided with a handsfree tailgate (use the dash or tailgate button or the intelligent key to power open/close the quick-acting tailgate). Usefully, its opening height is easily adjusted to suit your garage. The luggage cover is a very neat solution — a lightweight stiff fabric-like panel that clips below the rear screen and which can be removed in seconds for maximising the load area. Filling the boot below the load cover and to the window line allows you to carry 304 litres, plus there's an additional 16 litres available for oddments in an underfloor locker.

For those times you need to carry more, either or both of the 60:40-split seatbacks can be folded down for a maximum loadbay capacity of 956 litres (1,274 litres loaded to the roof). Drop both rear seats and you not only end up with a seamless cargo bay floor but a deep loadbay as the seat bases simultaneously drop into the rear footwells as their backrests fold down.

This being a Honda there's another clever twist to loading up: the rear chairs are what Honda calls its 'magic' seats — even quite bulky items can be carried in the rear passenger cabin simply by flipping up both individual seat bases and locking them against their backrests (it takes just seconds). Combined with the wide-opening rear doors and a minimal central floor tunnel, this creates a super-useful alternative cargo area. And don't forget that you still have the option of carrying 50kg on the roof.

Good looking and so refined… this latest generation hybrid HR-V is a little gem. For the foreseeable future a self-charging, petrol-electric hybrid like this is the best and most sensible way to go. On top of that, the HR-V's a really nice car to drive and in which to travel, making it a perfect family SUV. ~ MotorBar

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