Sixteen years ago, Honda broke the rules and burst onto the scene with a brand new breed of car. The term crossover was born, offering the comfort of a saloon and the practicality of a small SUV.
With a flourish it revealed the HR-V. No-one knew exactly what the name stood for, but the general theory was that it was something along the lines of Hybrid Runabout Vehicle. Added to that the fun-loving Japanese also labelled it “Joy Machine” and no-one really knew what that meant either but it was backed up with a series of some of the first viral videos and the general view was that it was breaking new ground.
Since 1999, the term hybrid has changed and has now been adopted for fuel/electric powered cars and that’s not all that’s changed. While the original HR-V was a great success, it turned out to be ahead of its time and in 2006, facing dwindling sales, Honda pulled the plug, anticipating that the crossover had seen its best days.
But their pessimistic view turned out to be premature. Gradually others like Nissan and Mazda saw the potential of what had been created by their rival and jumped in to meet what transpired to be huge demand. Some at Honda must have felt like falling on their swords as Nissan’s Qashqai and Mazda’s CX models captured an eager market of buyers looking for a practical, cost-effective leisure-orientated vehicle which didn’t have much offroad potential but looked as if it might be capable of more than just the supermarket run.
That market shows no sign of slowing down so Honda have now swallowed their pride and returned with a brand-new HR-V. The name may mean even less now but it’s a hugely important car for the company and their most significant new model of 2015.
They’re aiming relatively low – 5,000 sales in the first six months after it appears in showrooms in September – but that’s largely governed by the limited supply of right hand drive versions from their factory in Mexico.
It’ll appeal to stalwarts for the Honda brand. They’re a loyal bunch and some will be attracted back or want to upgrade from a Civic but don’t want or need the larger CR-V. However the Qashqai has a firm grip, Mazda has some excellent new models and Renault have recently appeared with the Kadjar which is an attractive and stylish alternative.
So what does the second generation HR-V have to offer?
It’s bigger inside than the Qashqai and with Honda’s patented system of having the fuel tank under the front seats and their ‘Magic Seats’ mechanism, it offers Tardis-like capacity in the rear for the bulkiest of loads and the largest of passengers.
It also has a vast range of safety features unique in its segment such as City Brake Active across the range as standard, along with the latest driving aids, technology and connectivity.
The Intelligent Speed Limiter automatically adjusts as it recognises roadside speed signs when cruise control is active. The Fast Off system senses how quickly the accelerator is released in the event of an abandoned overtaking move and keeps the engine revs high, ready for when the overtake eventually happens.
What it doesn’t have is a four wheel drive option. Honda UK say the market is 85% two wheel drive so although a 4×4 version is available elsewhere in the world, it won’t be coming to Britain.
There are two engines – a 1.5 i-VTEC petrol with a semi-automatic CVT transmission option, and a 1.6 i-DTEC diesel, available only as a manual. Both boast superb economy of up to 70mpg and emissions as low as 104 g/km but that efficiency comes at the expense of power and performance.
The diesel feels torquey and more useful but the petrol with 130PS of power struggled a little on the hills, especially when coupled with the CVT box, which might be fine for tootling around town but has to work hard on anything more demanding.
The engine was also surprisingly noisy, especially as the engineers and designers have gone to great lengths to improve the onboard acoustics with additional soundproofing.
The interior is clean and efficient with everything exactly where it should be and the short stubby gearchange fits the hand like a glove.
Prices start at £17,995 rising to just under £25,000 for the top of the range diesel EX version which comes crammed with equipment including heated leather seats and panoramic open glass sunroof.
Honda’s new crossover baby has come of age. Many will welcome its return but unlike 1999, there’s a lot of alternatives around.
CAR: Honda HR-V 1.5 i-VTEC EX 5 Door
PRICE: £23,195
POWER: 1.5 i-VTEC 130 PS
TORQUE: 155 Nm
PERFORMANCE: Top speed 119 mph 0-62 mph 10.7 secs
MPG: 49 mpg combined
CO2 EMISSIONS: 134 g/km
TT Rating: 
