Honda HR-V review: A no-nonsense hybrid SUV built for real-world driving

Does the modern motorist side with petrol hybrids or plug-in hybrids or even full electric vehicles, or simply stick with whatever internal combustion engine is their personal choice? Questions, questions, always questions.

There are persuasive debating points that can be applied to any or all of the solutions offered above, but the fact of the matter is that anyone walking into a dealer showroom right now will be faced with a blizzard of choices which will well and truly stir-fry their noodles.

It is impossible to offer cogent advice to anyone in this position other than to recommend that, whatever route they choose, they should go with a manufacturer who has been doing what they have been doing — successfully — for some considerable time.

Now, in the multi-dimensional world in which we now live, you will get counter arguments and opposing views which can thwart even the sagest advice but, in my experience, going with something that works — and has worked well over a number of years — will best serve those people handing over their hard-earned shekels.

I mention all this by way of introducing the most recent Honda HR-V, which has actually been with us since 2021 but has really flown under the radar ever since. The original HR-V — the boxy upright one — appeared in 1999 and was with us through to 2006 before being replaced by the entirely anonymous (by comparison) second generation version which was made until this new one appeared.

The second-generation HR-V failed altogether to capitalise on the quirky appeal of the original, vanishing as it did into the miasma of other small SUVs which had descended upon us since the turn of the century.

That car did not in any way really illustrate Honda’s capabilities at making excellent small cars (Jazz, Civic, E:NY1, etc, or even the much lauded but sadly now extinct Honda E) nor the company’s outstanding engineering prowess, but the latest one is priced and specified to appeal and sell and will make its mark here.

Bigger than you’ll remember previous HR-Vs, the newest version is an imposing vehicle, but when you pare everything about it back to the essentials, it is a car destined to find a home with those people who are very pragmatic about their choices.

One of the main reasons for that is the fact it is a petrol hybrid — only. Such cars have found favour with many buyers because it gives them green credentials without the headaches associated with EV ownership — mainly those damned range issues.

But the engine utilised here is not a simple copy of those which fellow Japanese manufacturer Toyota have had huge success with. Honda has refined the genre greatly — no bad thing in itself as many such hybrids tend to be screechy and unpleasant to drive.

For their one, Honda has placed an emphasis on the ‘E’ element of the driving and maintain this HR-V achieves a greater amount of electric driving time than other hybrids as the engine only really kicks in when its under pressure or at motorway speeds.

That means — for the pragmatist — that of the three driving modes on offer — Eco, Normal, or Sport — only the first two will ever see action. In any event the Sport mode only invokes the screechiness so much associated with so many hybrid petrols and is not particularly nice to drive anyway.

Indeed, the Sport mode is a bit ironic in any event because this is not really a sporty car at all, as evidenced by the 129 bhp on offer and the 10.6 second 0-100 km/h time.

But the realist will know quite quickly that it is an economic proposition; we found that even with our notoriously heavy right foot, a 6.1 l/100 km (45.9 mpg) consumption return was well feasible and a more conservative driver will be able to push that figure out easily.

The immediate thing you notice about the drive here is how smooth everything is; this is a car that does not wave any performance flags, but it goes about its business with a calm, authoritative manner.

It rides sweetly too and although you’re never going to be going fast enough to explore the depth of its handling abilities, it does still handle with aplomb. On the open road it does not lean heavily into corners and doesn’t wallow like so many SUVs. It is poised too around town, avoiding the jiggliness that characterises so many such vehicles.

I’m not sure why I was so surprised by this, given that it seems to be in the DNA of all Honda SUVs, but I was able to delight in the calm way it went about its business and enjoy the experience too.

THE interior too is something to be enjoyed; everything is logically laid out and the fact the heating controls are button and switch operated is welcome, even though the infotainment system is easy to navigate and less distracting than most. That it is closely related to that in the Honda E is a good thing.

But the fit and finish are of a high-class order and there is loads in here that practical people will find to their liking. The flip-up rear seats — allowing you to stand tall things in the rear footwell — are ingenious, but decency of the space available for the rear passengers does detract from the boot space which is a tad poor for the segment.

Sure, there is little here that will get the blood flowing for any hardboiled petrolhead who likes spicy motoring, but for those who want a mature and calm drive, along with a well thought-out and comfortable interior, the HR-V will prove to be very exciting indeed.

This is a car which was once an example of interesting and different design principles. It is not particularly so anymore, but it is an excellent example of bulletproof motoring even if it will never set your spirit ablaze.

There was a time when Honda was all about high-lift cams and all sorts of engineering trickery, but this car shows just how advanced engineering can make what is essentially a dull car interesting — for reasons you might never even have thought of.