- Honda HR-V specifications
- Test details
- Updates
- October 5, 2023: Will the hybrid HR-V electrify or give me a flat battery?
Honda HR-V specifications
- Model Honda HR-V 1.5i-MMD Advance Style e-CVT
- Price from £35,615 OTR
- Price as tested (with options): £36,265
- Cost options fitted: Metallic two-tone paint £650
- Colour Meteoroid Grey
- Engine 1498cc 4-cylinder petrol engine plus two electric motors
- Transmission Electronic continuously variable transmission (automatic)
- Power output 129bhp
- Torque 253 lb ft
- Weight (DIN/EU) 1,380kg / 1,401kg
- Luggage capacity 304 / 1,274 litres (seats up / rear-seats folded)
- Top speed 106mph
- 0-62mph 10.7sec
- Fuel consumption (WLTP combined cycle): 52.3mpg
- CO2 emissions (WLTP): 122g/km
- VED (road tax) £170 for first year; £145 thereafter
- BIK tax payable (2022/23) 29%; £1,909 (20%) or £3,818 (40%)
- Insurance group 31A
Test details
Test period August – December 2023
Starting mileage 9,565 miles
Updates
- April 4, 2022 Will the hybrid HR-V electrify or give me a flat battery?
October 5, 2023: Will the hybrid HR-V electrify or give me a flat battery?
With the ongoing commentary about what the UK’s automotive future will look like, I was more than intrigued about whether the Honda HR-V and its “self-charging” hybrid system would make a sound bridging step before full EV ownership.
My journeys are generally local with the need to go on longer stretches only a few times a year, for family trips and holidays. Whether a full hybrid offers significant fuel savings compared with traditional petrol cars will be interesting to discover. I’m also wondering if it’ll actually push me towards considering a full electric vehicle in future. The next few months will tell.
While still very much part of the crossover/ small SUV segment, I was immediately drawn to the sleek coupé bodystyle of the HR-V. Its sporty appearance goes against the pre-conceptions I held about Honda, namely they are cars either for boy racers (Civic Type-R) or the retired (Jazz).
Interestingly, this HR-V’s powertrain is derived from the Jazz hybrid system, but updated to suit the larger body with extra performance and efficiency.
A couple of other early impressions stand out. Despite being a small SUV, you get a commanding view of the road from the driver’s seat, and I felt elevated with good sight lines in all directions. As many other female drivers may attest, this can add to the driving experience and feeling of security when around larger vehicles or driving alone.
The smartphone wireless charging pad is also a bonus. I’ll probably keep this quiet from my two children, with their YouTube Shorts-hungry mobiles.
With regards to rival types of cars, to help give an idea of what it’s up against, the HR-V sits within two subsets depending on your point of view. I’d put it in the same group as the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 or Vauxhall Mokka, for example; established players at the affordable end of the market that appeal to everyone from urban adventurers and young families to pre-retirement empty nesters.
However, in terms of the HR-V’s unique styling, the Toyota CH-R and Mazda CX-30 are more interesting and closer competitors, standing out from the crowd while not falling into a niche. The CH-R, incidentally, is another full hybrid.
- What are ‘mild hybrid’, ‘full hybrid’, ‘plug-in hybrid’ and ‘pure-electric’ cars?
In my first month of driving, I’m loving the fuel economy, hitting the heady heights of 58mpg before settling at an average of 53mpg when my journey mix levelled out.
I’ll examine the driving experience more fully next month as I continue to get to grips with the hybrid set up. I’ll also have had the dog-friendly options installed by Honda at that point, which I truly hope are more genuine than its Pet Co-Pilot Front Seat that ran as an April Fool’s prank in April 2022.
- Miles this month 813 miles
- Average economy 53.1mpg
As ever with our extended tests, you can ask questions using the comments section below.
- Did you enjoy Tina’s Honda HR-V long-term review? Check out what she had to say about the Mini Clubman
- For more in-depth car reviews, check out our long-term car reviews here
- Drivers who travel with unrestrained dogs at ‘serious risk’ of car accident.
Keyword: Extended test: Honda HR-V 2023 review