Honda HR-V long term test: report 6
Our sub-editor wants a car that takes all the effort and much of the expense out of his extremely long daily commute – can the hybrid Honda HR-V SUV deliver?...
The car Honda HR-V 1.5i-MMD Advance Style e-CVT Run by Chris Haining, sub-editor
Why it’s here To find out if a petrol hybrid can be the answer for somebody who covers long distances and wants to keep costs down
Needs to Effortlessly shrug off motorway trips while sipping petrol, be able to handle rough tracks, carry bulky loads
Mileage 9835 List price £33,850 Target Price £33,088 Price as tested £34,660 Test economy 53.1mpg Official economy 67.3mpg
20 June 2022 – The road less travelled
Did you ever read those 'choose your own adventure' books as a kid? Well, my Honda HR-V has had me thinking of those juvenile page-turners. The thing with them is that, when you reach a crossroads in the plot, the direction that you choose to point the story inevitably leads to its own set of challenges.
The great news is that the HR-V very much feels up to going on mild adventures; its big wheels, chunky tyres and decent ground clearance are on your side if you want to do a bit of gentle exploring. It opens up the possibility of following grassy, uneven tracks to hidden beaches or little-known nature reserves that I'd have far less confidence to stray onto in a typical family car, or certainly the Kia Soul EV that I ran previously. We're not talking about Land Rover Defender-style all-terrain mud-plugging here (the HR-V only has front-wheel drive), but it does allow you to keep on going a little way when the tarmac runs out.
The challenges? Well, the things that make the HR-V so capable on rutted tracks are a bit of a handicap on proper roads. While its motorway ride is generally smooth enough that you won't be wincing over potholes, the car has an annoying tendency to lurch from side to side at speed. You end up swaying in your seat as if being forced to do the "we are sailing" dance. It's almost as if the Honda HR-V is more interested in having fun in the countryside than following drab ribbons of heavily trafficked grey Tarmac. For the occasional off-road adventure, then, it's a great companion.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
Read more on our long-term Honda HR-V >>
Read about more long-term test cars >>
Best small SUVs 2024 and the ones to avoid – tried and tested
Thinking of buying a new small SUV? Then make sure you read our rundown of the top 10 cars in this booming sector – plus, find out which ones we'd avoid
