Honda HR-V is practical and comfortable if slightly dated

Honda HR-V drive by Steve Rogers

What a change to be talking about an ordinary well-thought-out family car rather than the latest Chinese offering.

Come to think about it, I've nothing against them apart from the enormous screens and lack of switches. Normal service will resume soon when I take a look at the Skywell B11 electric. That’s one you have probably never heard of either.

Back to the here and now and the Honda HR-V. Get behind the wheel and it looks strangely dated but comforting at the same time. Maybe it is because there is no intimidating 16in screen taking over the dashboard and I can control the heating with chunky knobs. What a relief.

Not so long ago a 9in touchscreen would be considered large. Now it looks tiny in the HR-V yet neat and plenty big enough for me thank you very much.

It looks after the radio channels, navigation and other car related bits and bobs along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you want to bypass the car’s entertainment and navigation and use everything on your mobile phone instead.

You might spot a theme developing… the HR-V is thoughtfully practical. That was always the plan from the first model in 1999, a boxy glasshouse, to the current third generation, a compact family SUV with a couple of tricks up its sleeve. If you are wondering why there have been only three models in 26 years it's because HR-V went into hibernation for seven years.

The current model took off in 2022 and has been updated with some cosmetic work to the front bumper and grille, a full width rear light bar - every car seems to have one - and a few tweaks to the dashboard layout to accommodate a slot for wireless phone charging.

I said the car is hugely practical and here’s why. The back seat cushions flip up cinema style creating space for all sorts, tall, wide, you name it the HR-V will take it. We saw the system first in the smaller Jazz and is a brilliant piece of design.

A lot of thought has gone into freeing up space so the hybrid’s 12v battery has been moved to the engine bay and the fuel tank to under the front seats. This allows the back seat cushions to drop deep into the floor creating a completely flat load area. Not many rivals can make that boast.

This is all finished off with a low tailgate edge and wide aperture for easy loading to that flat floor which, by the way, can accommodate two adult bikes upright with the front wheels removed.

Now you are expecting me to tell you the car has an enormous boot. I am afraid it flatters to deceive with less space than many of its competitors. Could that be the reason there is generous legroom in the back - take away from one area and give to another?

And on the subject of the back seat, it works best for two people. The centre piece is raised and quite narrow so apart from being uncomfortable head room is sparse, it is not that generous for the outer seats either. Blame the sloping coupe roofline.

Honda is strong on hybrid technology and this 1.5 litre petrol engine with its twin electric motors is hugely efficient. It is self charging with strong three stage regenerative braking either by flicking the gear lever to B position to hold it, or short, sharp usage from steering wheel paddles.

It generates enough power for short spells of electric driving mainly in towns but switches between petrol and electric whenever it can. You won’t notice the transition, it is seamless. What it amounts to is very good economy. I easily beat the official combined figure hovering around 57mpg and topping 60mpg on longer runs.

The only downside is engine noise. Honda has invested in sound deadening and it has paid off with very little road or wind noise, but floor the accelerator and you will be reaching for the ear defenders.

If we ignore the Chinese brands HR-V fairs well against its rivals on price. It has a high quality finish, is very well equipped even at entry level but I would recommend looking at this Advance, number two in a five range line up. It comes with keyless entry and start, heated front seats, leather trim and powered tailgate.

So what we have is a comfortable, practical family SUV that excels in most areas. It is surrounded by able rivals but is good enough to be high up the list when deciding which car to go for.

Favourite feature: It has to be the flip up rear seats.

Fast facts

HR-V Advance Hybrid

£36,320 (starts £32,725)

1.5 litre petrol; 129bhp

0-62 10.7secs; 106mph

52.3mpg combined

122g/km. 1st VED £455

Insurance group 33

Boot: 319-1305 litres