Extended test: Honda HR-V 2023 review

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 2023 – January 2024
Starting mileage 9,565 miles

Updates

October 5, 2023 Will the hybrid HR-V electrify or give me a flat battery?
November 8, 2023 Can the HR-V handle a hybrid of different family holidays?
December 18, 2023 It’s a dog’s life
January 9, 2024 Tech matters
January 30, 2024 Final thoughts

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.

November 8, 2023: Can the HR-V handle a hybrid of family holidays?

Our HR-V test car arrived just as we were due to set off on a couple of getaways to different corners of the UK. It was certainly dropped in at the deep end.

First up was a family camping trip to Kent. Over the years we seem to have accumulated a lot of the gear required to make a few nights under a canvas roof more comfortable, a mix of both essentials and nice-to-have luxury items (portable larder anyone?). So my first concern was how on earth would we fit all of this paraphernalia into the Honda’s compact and snug interior?

Thank goodness both my growing lads were meeting my husband and me at the campsite, as this size of car simply isn’t capable of carrying four people and their camping gear. But for two people plus a cavapoo, it was excellent.

I found the pull-down levers on the rear seats, which are slick to operate and the seats themselves have a slick mechanism, which drops them forward logically and seamlessly. This created a huge and completely flat area for me to load into (1,274 litres in total), which to be honest was perceptually larger than I had been expecting.

I didn’t need it for this trip but the HR-V also features Honda’s clever “magic seat” set-up, where the rear seats fold up cinema-style to allow for carrying taller items. It’s simple features like this that really help you warm to a brand.

The journey involved local roads and faster stretches, and it was the first time I’d take the car over longer distances. The initial electric-powered surge from a standing start is super smooth and has an impressive gliding quality.

Honda is very proud of its regenerative braking technology, meaning that slowing down recovers some energy, normal lost as heat, back into the battery. It can then deploy it again when you begin to accelerate.

However, as we began to negotiate longer uninterrupted stages of the journey it became very noticeable how hard the HR-V’s petrol engine was having to work. The increased engine noise was palpably loud at 70mph on the motorway, and unused to hybrids and the way the engine revs seem to bear little relation to what your right foot is doing, it was a slightly uncomfortable feeling at first. In fact I wondered if there was something wrong with the car.

These fears did ease after a few minutes as the engine settled down but it returned after further periods of acceleration, as the engine worked hard to charge the battery pack.

A spot of research suggests this issue is due to how the continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic gearbox works with the engine and battery, and is perfectly normal. But I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it.

On arrival at the campsite, the HR-V was unloaded pretty quickly and had only one more job — namely to help with inflating the air mattresses. This is when my husband committed an error that he ultimately took full responsibility for. Having got our airbeds and my brother-in-law’s mats pumped in record time, the HR-V was given a rest until we departed at the end of a fun weekend. It was at this point we realised we had a dead battery.

A quick call to Honda Assistance (awesome service via their partners at the AA) and the friendly repair guy was with us in five minutes. We lucked out as it felt like he had stepped out from behind a tree the moment we put the phone down but he only lived up the hill from the campsite.

He explained for a job such as using an air pump we should have fully powered up the car’s ignition, in order to enable the engine to fire up and recharge the 12v system, which runs all the car’s electrics, as the high voltage traction battery can’t do that — it’s merely there for propulsion (lesson learned!).

A quick boost charge from his vehicle (it’s critical to not leave the keys inside while doing this, he told us) and we were back on schedule to get home, with the return motorway trip also helping charge the 12v system back up to optimal levels.

Next up for the HR-V was a longer run down to Cornwall for a week of beach trips and tricky hilly corners, full of caravans and tractors coming the other way. The HR-V took to the task with relish, effortlessly holding its grip on inclines as we patiently waited for large vehicles to pass within inches of us and the high hedgerows.

I’d read other reviewers’ comments that the HR-V’s suspension was relatively lumpy on more difficult terrain, but I can’t say I thought this to be a problem and found the ride nicely sorted.

Yes, the heightened rev noise returned as we moved up and down the rugged Cornish landscape and the Honda worked to adjust, but it wasn’t unexpected by now.

On trips to the beach, the hard-wearing plastic mats did a great job of stopping the car from filling with sand. They are easy to remove, brush and clean and can be interchanged with the carpet versions as needed.

The HR-V may only have 304 litres of regular boot space but this proved sufficient for our wetsuits, bodyboards and beach gear. Notable mention goes to the flexible boot load cover. Unlike a solid parcel shelf, this folds away when not in use and is easy to store. It then can spring back like a pop-up tent when required and tethers in place with some simple hooks. Very convenient and helpful.

So, the HR-V took our family escapes in its stride and pretty much took on board everything we threw at it (human errors withstanding). Fuel efficiency continues to impress, hovering at just above 52 mpg, which while a drop from last month is understandable given the long motorway stints.

The HR-V has been in the Honda workshop recently to get its dog-friendly equipment installed. We’ll be giving this the once over in the next review instalment as well as the chance to compare the HR-V with its sister model the ZR-V, which we were given as a courtesy car for a couple of days.

Mileage this month 920 miles
Mileage to date 1,733miles
Average Economy 52.1 mpg

As ever with our extended tests, you can ask questions using the comments section below.

December 18, 2023: It’s a dog’s life

We’ve been up and running with the HR-V for a few months now and it’s settled well into the groove of family life, but how has it fared with the VIP (or should that be VID) of our household… namely Jessie, our five-year-old Cavapoo and experienced canine car reviewer?

Honda has tapped into the lucrative dog-friendly car market in recent times and has promoted its range of canine products that can be fitted to vehicles. These fulfil dual roles: to protect your car while also keeping your dog safe and comfortable as they travel. Honda has treated us to a few of these options with our HR-V, namely a fitted dog guard, boot tray/ mat and a paintwork-saving boot step protector (totalling a combined fitted price of £670).

The fitted dog guard can be a clumsy eyesore for some drivers, as it can be both a nuisance when trying to fit a bulky load and also a distraction when using the rear view mirror. Honda seems to have found the solution with its guard as it overcomes both issues.

Firstly, the bars section across the back seats can actually be unfitted with relative ease, unscrewing without the need for copious tools or know-how. The screws just unlock and the bars pull out if extra space is required, sliding back and out of the frame that stays in place.

The bars are a little heavy and cumbersome, but with a second person to help with carrying and a spot to store it is all that’s needed. The mirror issue is also overcome as the bars are evenly placed compared to others I’ve tested and allow for a clear view through the cabin.

I’ve talked about the excellent floor mats in a previous review chapter, but the boot tray also gets a firm nod of approval. It comprehensively covers the whole of the HR-V’s boot area, providing an edged sill to all sides. This not only protects the car from floor spills or leaks, but also creates a very convenient tray that can be lifted up to carry all my dog owner paraphernalia into the house.

This feature goes way beyond dog-friendly, it could equally be labelled as beach friendly or forest-walk friendly; it’s a true multi-tasker.

The boot step protector is a nice added touch, working as an overlay that can be pulled out when needed and helps to stop anxious paws from scratching the paintwork when leaping in or out of the car. It’s a really thoughtful touch and also works when placing other loads into the car, helping to prevent edges from catching or getting stuck on the plastic trim.

The only gripe is the protector itself can get a little grubby in its work, needing a vigorous scrub on occasion.

What if you need something bigger?

The HR-V is a solid contender for some dog owners but I can only recommend it for those with small and mid-sized breeds. We did have a moderately proportioned labrador in the boot for a short journey and it was a bit of a tight squeeze, with our guest passenger looking a little alarmed as the sloping boot closed down on her with just enough space to spare. This is not a problem for our Jess, as her slight stature mean there is ample capacity and head room, but it will definitely be a consideration for those with larger pooches.

If that’s your situation, you could alternatively look at a Honda ZR-V (pictured above). We were provided one while the HR-V was in the workshop to have the dog features installed.

It’s a step up in proportions as well as performance… and yes, price: the ZR-V Advance Style’s £43,545 OTR cost means it is a wallet-shrinking £8,000 dearer than the HR-V. But it could be worth bothering a dealer about if you do need a bit of extra space.

Cruising the neighbourhood in the ZR-V provided ample evidence that it sits in a different competitive set from the HR-V. It’s certainly a bigger car with the broader and longer bonnet immediately obvious and, and a footprint 30cm longer overall.

Honda seems to be pitting the ZR-V in the gap between the HR-V and CR-V (reviewed here), which on first glance may seem a small segment to target but it’s a highly lucrative and competitive space. This is the sweet spot where Kia’s Sportage, Nissan’s Qashqai and Hyundai’s Tucson have all had great success with UK car owners. Honda clearly wants a bigger slice of this pie.

I found it to be a sound machine with a sporty ride. The eCVT transmission is the same but the engine has an extra half litre at its disposal, and this was tangible in the short time we had the car. Even so, the efficiency matched the impressive hybrid performance I’ve been getting from the HR-V, hovering just about the 50 mpg mark.

If I were in the market for a mid-sized SUV, the ZR-V offers something different from the obvious contenders, but the hike in price from the HR-V is a stumbling block that may be difficult for our family to justify.

Next time I’ll take a look at the HR-V’s technology and infotainment. There have been plentiful options to explore via the cabin’s central screen and I’ve enjoyed seeing how these can add to the drive experience.

Mileage this month 603 miles
Mileage to date 2,336 miles
Average economy 51.2mpg

Have a question for Tina? Ask in the comments section below.

January 9, 2024 Tech matters

2023 Honda HR-V infotainment stereo touchscreen.

Given that I’m testing the Advance Style grade of HR-V, the onboard tech has a lot to live up to.

There is no missing the 9in “Connect” touchscreen. It’s a central focus in the front of the cabin and I was immediately won over by how the menus ape the style of a mobile phone, with clearly labelled apps that then lead through to sub-menus that are intuitive to navigate.

All of the necessary functions are housed here, with the DAB radio easy to scroll and set up my choice of favourites (Times Radio firmly locked in). I also love that the air and heating functions are not housed in the screen’s menus. Instead, they are controlled by dials on the dash, so much easier to adjust manually and prevent driver distraction.

Wireless Apple Carplay was seamlessly synchronised from my very first drive, allowing me to access everything I need for daily life, from reading out my WhatsApp messages to my library of podcasts. Other vehicles I’ve tested have bounced me out and irritatingly required logging back in, but none of this has happened with the HR-V.

The wireless charger in the central storage tray is an added bonus. It does seem to be a little fickle with when the charge would kick in, but get the position right and on longer journeys it has worked well. It’s pleasing not to have a loose wire on display.

I did briefly toy with Honda’s navigation system but the ease of Apple Carplay and my predisposed liking for its layout means I haven’t had any further need. All I can say is that it seemed to do the job decently when I tried it but was superfluous thereafter, which I think will be true for most owners.

A real area of discovery came with the “Sensing” safety tech, which Honda boasts can read the driving conditions and adapt its performance accordingly. Given we’re now entering a new era of AI-assisted automation and change, how useful is this for everyday motorists?

The collision management system does what it says on the tin, providing audio and visual alerts when obstacles in the road are detected. These features are useful but as is often the case, the sensitivity of the system is a little on the high side. Passing a hedge in the Tesco car park at 5mph resulted in a neurotic warning as if a risk to life was present, which meant I turned off the system with the easy-to-find switch on the driver’s lower dashboard. This is hardly what safety advocates have in mind, I’m sure, but most owners will do the same, I’m sure.

The Road Departure mitigation system similarly clicks in a little too often if you dare to run close to a road lane boundary, so again drivers will be reaching for the button to turn it off. These systems are mandated by European and UK regulations but what’s the point if drivers become so frustrated that they are disengaged before every journey?

One Sensing feature of which I have recently become a big fan is the adaptive cruise control. Not only is this easy to set and adjust (very helpful on M25 Christmas holiday family visits), but it’s particularity useful at low-speeds, in traffic, as it monitors the speed of the car in front and decelerates from the set cruise mph when necessary, then also accelerates back to the set speed when the traffic in front allows. There’s nothing new about this but the HR-V does it particularly well — smoothly and reassuringly — taking some of the stress out of motorways trips.

Honourable other tech mentions also need to go to the auto high beam headlights (recognising objects ahead and automatically adjusting), heated steering wheel and rear USB sockets (fuelling teenage mobiles on camping trips when charging is as vital as oxygen).

I’ll have one more update for you before Honda collects the car. Stay tuned.

Miles this month 469 miles
Miles to date 2,805 miles
Average fuel economy 53.2 mpg

January 30, 2024: Final thoughts

Tina Milton and family with a 2023 Honda HR-V

My time with the HR-V has come to an end. The pleasant chap from Honda picked it up on a very cold January morning just as I was looking forward to finally getting to use the heated steering wheel. I’ll miss it for that feature and several other reasons; it’s been a solid and fun addition to the family fleet over the last seven months.

So what key things have I learnt about this car? I have to return to the fuel efficiency straight off as this impressed me right from the start. The Honda hybrid system means not only was I lowering my fuel emissions but I was able to hit just under 53mpg over the course of the test, which I find mind-boggling when compared to the 32mpg I achieve with my Qashqai.

During drives around the local area I became accustomed to seeing the HR-V’s EV icon light up on the dashboard and I was able to complete the majority of short burst journeys in electric mode. This was my first experience with a self-charging battery and while it might not be a petrolhead’s idea of fun, I’m now a firm fan.

A recent winter’s beach trip to the Sussex coast allowed us to give the HR-V one final workout, both on motorways and country lanes. The adaptive cruise control settings were once again a joy to put in place, particularly through motorway speed restriction zones. It also really helped on the return journey, taking up some of the slack from the driver as dusk set in at the end of a long day.

The coarse sound of the eCVT transmission remained a feature of the HR-V that niggled. Every time I needed put my foot down on inclines or for overtakes the revs jumped, breaking the pleasant ambience of the cabin’s interior. I did become slightly more accustomed to this over time but it could be a potential deal breaker for anyone giving the Honda — or any car with continuously variable transmission, to be fair — a test drive.

The new HR-V has a sportier appearance than previous models but I found its performance to be pretty smooth and pleasurable rather than trying to over-exert itself. Steering and corners all pass the usual tests of comfort that I would expect from a small-sized SUV.

The Advance trim I’ve been testing has an on-the-road price of £36,625 which I find a little punchy when you pit it against rivals such as the Vauxhall Mokka or Peugeot 2008 (both around the £30k mark for similar spec models).

The HR-V’s stylish design gives it a different type of appeal and Honda would no doubt argue it contends more with the likes of the Toyota C-HR, which in its advanced trim is available from £37k. I’d suggest that by seeking this elevated price point Honda is potentially squeezing itself out of sales in a crowded market, as, while the HR-V has some stand-out features that trump some of its middle-market competitors, the price may be off-putting.

I think I’ve become prone to frequency illusion with the HR-V or what I’ve Googled to discover is termed the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. This refers to the false impression you can get of something happening more regularly than it actually does — in my case seeing a lot more new HR-V’s in my area. Maybe this is just my imagination.

Tina Milton leans out of Honda HR-V window

Maybe it’s my home’s proximity to Honda’s head office in Bracknell. Or maybe it’s because people are tuning in and plumping for this well-equipped and highly fuel-economical compact SUV. I’m sure the truth is a mix of factors, but I will be casting an envious glance the next time I spot a Honda HR-V in the neighbourhood.