Honda HR-V review

The HR-V looks quite expensive next to alternatives such as the Seat Arona and Suzuki Vitara, but most trim levels are cheaper spec-for-spec than the premium Audi Q2.

Depreciation should be relatively slow, monthly personal contract purchase (PCP) costs are fairly attractive, and the diesel model is efficient enough to offer competitive company car bills. There’s a well-priced five-year servicing deal that many buyers will find worthwhile, too.

The CVT automatic gearbox is worth avoiding if you’re after the best in economy, because it works the engine hard most of the time, and so causes it to use more fuel. The fact that it can only be had in conjunction with the more breathless petrol doesn’t help matters.

Entry-level S trim has a good amount of kit. Climate and cruise controls, 16in alloy wheels and automatic lights come as standard. However, our favourite trim is SE. For not a lot extra it lifts the cabin with a leather gearlever and steering wheel, while rear electric windows and more active safety tech also impress.

EX models have heated leather seats, LED daytime running lights, sat-nav, a rear parking camera and keyless entry and start. We still think SE makes more financial sense though.

The range-topping Sport not only gets visual garnish such as dual exhaust pipes, a sporty bodykit, LED headlights and dark red leather/black fabric seats, but also gains a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine and bespoke suspension. However, at over £27k for the manual version, it looks mighty pricey next to the Seat Arona FR and VW T-Roc R-Line.

Despite Honda's good reputation for reliability, the HR-V performed poorly in the 2018 What Car? Reliability Survey, finishing 12th out of a total of 14 small SUVs and beaten by cars such as the Suzuki Vitara, Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.

As a manufacturer, Honda performed no better, placing mid-table (specifically, 15th out of 31) behind Suzuki, Vauxhall and Seat, but ahead of Volkswagen, Renault and Audi.

Honda includes a three-year, unlimited-mile warranty with all of its cars. Also included is a five-year exhaust rust warranty, as well as a three-year body corrosion, 10-year chassis corrosion, and 12-year structural corrosion guarantee.

You get an impressive amount of safety equipment. Six airbags and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are standard on all HR-Vs, and mid-spec SE versions and above also get lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems, headlights that switch between dipped and full beam automatically, and road-sign recognition. An alarm and engine immobiliser are standard across the range.

Euro NCAP has given the HR-V a full five-star crash test rating, a result helped by its impressive list of standard safety features.

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