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4X4
The styling says off-roader, but the HR-V is much more at home on Tarmac. The full-time 4x4 system on most versions can cope with a little light mud, but nothing more.
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Instead, the HR-V is more of a jacked-up family hatchback, and quite a good one at that. Its steering is sharp, angling the car keenly into corners, and the car takes bends with confidence. The ride is good, too, although a touch firm at slower speeds, and the HR-V performs well, as you’d expect from Honda, with both versions of the 1.6-litre engine pulling smoothly to the top of the rev range. Sadly, the funky exterior isn’t reflected in the cabin. It’s functional rather than fun, but it is well screwed together and most people can get comfy behind the wheel, despite the lack of seat height adjustment. The three-door version is a bit of a squeeze to get into, but there’s a decent-sized boot.
Running Costs
Hondas traditionally hold their value well once they’re off the dealer's forecourt because of their reputation for being well built and reliable. The HR-V is no exception to this rule, and with a trendy image and a decent standard specification, sellers aren't going to give them away. So, they're not cheap. However, the running costs look much more reasonable. Official fuel consumption figures stand at 33mpg for the 103bhp car and 34mpg for the 122bhp version, which is about average among vehicles of this size and type. The equivalent Toyota RAV4, for example, does about the same mpg. New parts will be readily available for repairs and replacements, and Honda bits generally don’t cost the earth, either. That, coupled with the 1.6-litre engine, means the car is only in group 8 or 9 for insurance, depending on which power output you go for.