Stylish, spacious and powered by hybrid technology, the new Honda HR-V e:HEV has a contemporary coupe-SUV body that appeals through the simplicity of its design and a wealth of top features. I spent a week behind the wheel getting to know the motor.
Style file
The five-door compact SUV (sports utility vehicle) has a dynamic look and sleek silhouette, the coupe-style design enhanced by ‘concealed’ handles for the rear passenger doors, tucked away alongside the downward slope of the side windows. With a bold, body-coloured front grille and a sleek full-length light-bar at the rear, the car’s style is pleasingly distinctive.
There is a solid, premium feel, about the interior which has contemporary fabrics and soft-touch materials. The modern, minimalist aesthetic is created by the horizontal sweep of the instrument panel and uncluttered lines and surfaces throughout.
Features
The HR-V comes in three well-equipped trim grades, Elegance, Advance and Advance Style. Our Advance model boasted features including rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, heated leather-trimmed steering wheel and heated door mirrors, air diffusion system, hands-free powered tailgate, coming home/leaving home headlights function, rear interior reading lights, sun-visor vanity mirror illumination, six-speaker sound system, satnav and a comprehensive connectivity suite.
There is also a wealth of hi-tech safety features including collision mitigation throttle control, forward collision warning, intelligent speed limiter, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, traffic sign recognition system, and blind spot information including cross-traffic monitor.
On the practicality front, boot capacity is 304 litres with the rear seat-back up, expanding to 1,274 litres with the seat-back down, and the car features the renowned flexibility of Honda’s ‘magic seats’ system. The tailgate provides a wide and tall aperture, low entry point and flat cargo floor, all helping easy-loading access.
Interior storage space includes a large centre cubby which swallows items large and small, while there are two USB charging sockets in the front and two in the back of the cabin.
Tech time
The new HR-V has a single powertrain, a charge-on-the-go hybrid system, with 129bhp petrol-electric power from a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle internal combustion engine and two electric motors, mated to an automatic transmission of the CVT (continuously variable transmission) variety. Electrical power is stored in a lithium-ion battery.
From start-up, the car uses electric power, then seamlessly switches between ‘electric drive’, ‘hybrid drive’ or ‘engine drive’ depending on which is the most fuel-efficient drive mode at that specific driving situation.
On the road
With its elevated seating position, the HR-V offers great visibility and the whole driving experience is one of comfort and ease, with pleasant ride and handling. Performance figures are 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds and a top speed of 106mph, with a combined 67.3 mpg figure and combined CO2 figure of 96g/km.
Verdict
With hybrid efficiency, class-leading space and enjoyable driving experience, the new HR-V is a strong contender in a very competitive sector of the car market.
Price: £31,035 OTR
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