Honda HR-V RANGE
Hondas HR-V Defies Convention. Whatever It Is, Its Well Worth A Look. Andy Enright Takes A Look At The Current Versions
Youve got to take your hat off to
Honda. In developing the HR-V, it created a car which reduced most motoring correspondents to a chin-stroking standstill yet which clocked up the second highest sales of any petrol-engined 4x4 in Europe. Several manufacturers have tried to make unconventional designs work for them think
Fiat Multipla,
Daihatsu YRV and
Renault Scenic RX-4 and have had their fingers singed. Not Honda.
The HR-V hasnt had too much of a makeover, Honda figuring that if the recipe works, its best not to meddle. So it is that the latest car merely refreshes rather than reinterprets the styling. In place of the old cars front bumper with its single horizontal aperture and flimsy underguard, the latest car features a more integrated look. The deeper front spoiler now has two wide lateral openings flanked by two deep air intakes reminiscent of, dare we say, the Daihatsu YRV.
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These changes are set off with the almost obligatory honeycomb mesh grille, perhaps hoping that a little Type-R magic dust will settle on the HR-V. The overall effect is far more substantial than the old cars delicately wedged snout and slightly more 4x4 generic. Perhaps
Honda felt that a little of the HR-Vs wackiness needed to be bred out. The rear features a similar design philosophy a deeper bumper is integrated with the underguard, the thematic single horizontal opening punctuated by a pair of circular reflectors.
Elsewhere, a different design of 16-inch alloy wheel is available and Honda H marks now appear on the bonnet and the tailgate window.
"The latest car merely refreshes rather than reinterprets the styling."
Inside the blue dials have been consigned to history, Honda obviously feeling that black is indeed the new black. The centre console and the instrument binnacle are finished in contrasting silver and the metallic look extends to the interior door handles, window switches, handbrake button and manual gearshifter knob. Its no
Audi TT but it looks far more mature than the somewhat garish interior of the old car. Priced at £15,230, the HR-V is nearly £2,000 less than its bigger brother the CR-V, offering buyers a more affordable alternative.
Its also around two-and-a-half feet shorter - roughly the same size as a
Vauxhall Corsa. Like its larger stablemate, its based on the floorplan of a conventional three-door hatch in this case the tiny Logo supermini. Just as it did with the CR-V, Honda is keen to stress that its baby is not an off-road mud-plugger despite its 4x4 layout. It claims this version of the HR-V is a go-anywhere, do anything vehicle thats versatile, fun to drive and yet still a sensible choice.
In fact, it most closely resembles a small all-wheel drive car, and makes an attractive alternative to the regular Civic, especially if you like a high driving position The Dual Pump four-wheel drive system, borrowed from the CR-V, automatically engages drive to the rear wheels when those at the front lose their grip. While this set-up wont help you to clamber up a mountainside or through a river at the weekend, it should ensure that the cars tyres keep their grip better than most on wet or greasy roads. It will also provide a certain amount of extra traction on gravel driveways and slippery playing fields. The 1.
6-litre VTEC 123bhp engine delivers as much performance as youd expect from a warmish supermini. The 0-60mph sprint takes 10.7 seconds and the 106mph top speed is fairly brisk for a small 4x4. This engine is only offered with a manual gearbox and it returns an average economy figure of around 32mpg.
While it undercuts the CR-V on price, the HR-V is almost as well equipped as its big brother. Essentials include power steering and twin airbags. But its the creature comforts that make the HR-V seem such good value for money: air conditioning, electric windows and door mirrors, anti-lock brakes, remote central locking and an RDS stereo are all standard kit. On the practical side, both two and four-wheel drive versions will have split/folding rear seats so owners can squeeze long items into the cabin. The HR-V shouldnt break the bank to run thanks to Hondas lengthy 9,000-mile service intervals and a claimed overall fuel consumption figure of 32.8mpg.
Not only does that make it much more frugal than your average full-size 4x4, it also means youll use no more fuel than a boring mid-sized family hatch something the HR-V certainly isnt. As youd expect, there are also the typical Honda brand strengths of quality, reliability and strong resale values. And just in case, theres a three-year/90,000-mile warranty. The HR-V makes a decent case for itself.
Dont buy one if you expect to regularly cart four adults about or want something with Freelander style off-road ability. As an alternative to an upspec supermini it makes more sense. You wouldnt be alone in thinking so either. Last year, 25,616 others agreed with you, confirming its position as Europes second favourite petrol 4x4.
The number one? Well, that also had a Honda badge on the bonnet which tells you all you need to know about the companys ability to build an appealing 4x4. If a drive in the HR-V doesn't put a smile on your face, we can only surmise that you and Virgin trains were made for one another
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Honda HR-V range
PRICES: £15,230 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 9
CO2 EMISSIONS: 205g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 106mph / 0-60mph 10.7secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 32mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4110/1895/1700mm
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