Honda HR-V
Hondas HR-V Is A Fun Alternative For The Woman Looking For A Stylish Small Car Thats Just That Little Bit Different. Vanessa Hinkley Reports
As someone who can appreciate the need for a small, nippy little car to get around town, I can see why a customer in this sector might also want something a bit more stylish. After all, though you could buy another supermini or family hatchback, its refreshing to have an alternative, like the
Honda HR-V. Prices start at £15,230 for the model I tested and its now the only model available. For the cost of a decently specified family hatch, this is four-wheel drive at its most affordable and arguably, at its most chic.
The HR-V is like one of the compact four-wheel drives, say the
Land Rover Freelander or the
Toyota RAV 4, but its around two-and-a-half feet shorter - roughly the same size as a
Vauxhall Corsa. Its had a mild restyle with a beefier front end and a revised interior. I like it.
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Equipment 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, all models have split/folding rear seats so owners can squeeze long items into the cabin.
Just as it did with the larger CR-V,
Honda is keen to stress that its baby 4x4 is not an off-road mud-plugger. It claims 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. Fitted with a 1.
6-litre engine, it should have just as much performance as you'd find in a warmish supermini and its diminutive size should mean it isn't too taxing at the pumps. The Dual Pump four-wheel drive system, which is 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.
Initially, the HR-V was only available in three-door form but now it comes only as a five-door with 1.6-litre VTEC power. The 16-valve, 123bhp unit is allied to a five-speed manual gearbox and should provide ample performance for most as Honda claims it will reach 60mph from rest in 10.6s and climb to 106mph.
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 for the 4WD of 32mpg. Not only does that make it more frugal than your average 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.
If your perception of Japanese cars is that of bland hatches and saloons that are difficult to tell apart, Honda is out to make you think again. For the mother with a couple of small children or a career woman, this HR-V makes stylish sense as long as you dont intend on doing too many long trips. If youre lucky enough to be in the market for something thats fun, four-wheel drive and neatly packaged, your local Honda showroom may be well worth a visit.
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