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Benefits >> Feel small on the road, fuel economical interior, surprisingly spacious, comfortable for daily driving Cons ›› Only a four -seater engine in Australia, 1.5 liters
SUVs have become the default choice for a large number of car buyers in the last decade, pushing the traditional sedans on the edge of extinction. However, what do you do if you want to take advantage of the higher driving position and the easy input and output of an SUV but that you don’t want it to look like all the others on the road? You can buy the third generation HR-V which is available with the latest Honda hybrid system.
Before some of you are confused, it is not the HR-V sold in North America. Instead, we are talking about the smaller world model sold through Europe, Oceania, South America and Asia. Given in person, it looks more like a tailgate than a traditional SUV. Indeed, it also seems significantly smaller than the model it replaces, even if the dimensions are almost identical.
After having lived a week with the hybrid model, we found that its intelligent and economical design in space is only part of the attraction. Inside, he surprises with an unexpected and spacious interior, making a strong case in the small crowded SUV segment.
Rapid facts
Photo credits: Brad Anderson / Carscoops
The new HR-V family
Honda sells the 2025 HR-V in three forms in Australia. The first is the VI X, which is propelled by a four-cylinder engine naturally sucked by 1.5 liters with 119 hp (89 kW) and 107 lb-ft (145 nm) of torque, and is at the price of $ 34,900 at (~ $ 21,900). The model we tested is seated in the middle of the range and is known as E: HEV X, starts at $ 39,900 in (~ $ 25,000) and has a more efficient four -cylinder hybrid And more powerful with 129 hp (96 kW) and 186 LB-PI (253 nm). The range is then exceeded by the E: HEV L, equipped with the same engine, but with additional luxuries which bring its starting price to $ 42,900 to (~ $ 27,000).
The current HR-V measures 4,345 mm (171 inches) long, 1,790 mm (70.5 inches) wide, 1,590 mm (62.6 inches) high and rises on a 2,610 mm wheelbase (102 , 7 inches). These dimensions are worth highlighted because it is only when you are closely with the HR-V that you notice how small it looks. In a similar way to the way in which the Hyundai Ioniq 5 seems smaller in photos than it really is, Honda designers have done an excellent job to make the HR-V quite compact. It also stands out from the other models in the Japanese brand range, which is an additional advantage, especially in today’s car landscape, where cookie conceptions are increasingly common.
A practical and functional cabin
By opening the HR-V driver’s door for the first time, you were presented with a cabin that feels quite basic but well built with high quality materials.
Positioned in front of the driver is a group of semi-digital instruments, which seems a little outdated, especially since most of the car manufacturers have moved to fully digital screens. To the right of the cluster is a physical speed counter, while at the center and on the left is a configurable screen which can be personalized to display different settings and vehicle settings. However, it is a relatively basic system.
Perched on the dashboard is a 9.0 -inch infotainment display with an Apple wireless and Android Auto Wired carplay. The HR-V software is not the most visually attractive in this segment and feels a little bland and inspired. That being said, it is easy to understand and operate without any required learning curve. The key characteristics include integrated navigation, DAB digital radio and a range of parameters that can be modified. Physical and rear buttons, as well as a volume button.
The dashboard is also a few mouths of air with a switch that can be used to adjust the way the air flows, in addition to the traditional parameters that you will find in all other cars. A strip of soft -touch leather then passes on the dashboard before the hard black plastic takes over and covers the lower part of the dashboard, including the glove box.
Anyone who hates the Black Plastic Piano will be disappointed to learn that HR-V has a lot around the equipment selector, although it seemed less subject to scratches than others that we have known. The piano black covers the steering wheel but has been beautifully contrasting with soft leather that feels good to the touch. In advance, two smartphone support trays in the dashboard, a USB-A port, a USB-C port and door pockets generously.
Photo credits: Brad Anderson / Carscoops
However, the real HR-V festival thing is on the back. Since it has only 2,610 mm (102.7 inches) wheelbase, you would assume that the rear rear space would be limited. This could not be further from the truth. I have 6’2 ”, and with the driver’s seat in my favorite position, I had almost six inches of rear leg space at the rear. This is more than what I have in much larger SUVs with much longer tapes. Helping in the space of the second row of the SUV is the fact that the rear seats are slightly tilted outwards. Rear passengers also have a good amount of margin.
Buyers must however be aware that HR-V is only sold as four places in Australia, which somewhat limits its practicality. Honda compensated by installing its “magic seats” in the back. These include a hinge between the backrest and the base which allows the base to be folded to increase the ground space at the rear or so that the backrest is folded, creating a perfectly flat floor. With the seats in position, the rear loading capacity is compact 304 liters (10.7 cubic feet), but this reaches 1,274 liters (45 cubic feet) with the folded seats.
Hybrid power
The HR-V E-HEV X hybrid powertrain is interesting. Most hybrids on the market are divided into three categories: series, parallel or parallel series. In a hybrid series, the engine acts only as a generator, producing electricity to power the electric motor, which drives the wheels. In a parallel hybrid, the motor directly feeds the wheels most of the time, the electric motor providing assistance if necessary. In a parallel hybrid in series, the engine and the electric motor can drive the wheels, work together or independently depending on the conditions.
Honda refers to its E system: HEV as an “intelligent hybrid” because it can switch transparent between series and parallel modes, optimizing efficiency without a pilot entry.
This means that in most low-speed driving situations, the HR-V E-HEV electric motor causes the wheels before going into engine drive mode during the greater speed cruise. The system works well in practice, intelligently tilting between electricity and engine power as judges. You can also choose from several different drive modes, including all electric, a hybrid adjustment where the engine generates electricity for the engine and an engine drive mode where the ice does all the work. There is also the regeneration of the brakes.
Honda says that the HR-V E: HEV can sip only 4.3 l / 100 km (54.7 American MPG) on the combined cycle, but we could not match this assertion, with an average of 5.4 L / 100 km (43.5 MPG American) for our time with the SUV. Interestingly, we have an average of 4.9 l / 100 km (48 American MPG) in the E: HEV a few months ago, although it has a 2.0 -liter Honda hybrid with two electric motors and much more power.
Read: 2024 Honda Accord E: HEV RS Hybrid is a solid solid
For the most part, the HR-V hybrid system is good. However, there are opportunities when the 1.5 -liter factory will start to run higher than expected because it tries furiously to generate energy for the battery.
Photo credits: Brad Anderson / Carscoops
Working alongside the engine and the electric motor is what Honda calls an “e-cvt”, but it is not a continuous variable transmission in the traditional sense. In fact, it is not even a transmission because the engine only serves as a generator that drives the electric motor or provides energy directly through the wheels via a clutch. Indeed, it provides direct training on the wheels, but Honda made it feel that it moves through the gears, even if there is none. Everything is very complicated, but works well and includes speed change pallets behind the steering wheel.
The HR-V is not particularly fast, requiring 10.7 seconds to reach 100 km / h (62 MPH). It seems a bit undernourished during the overtaking of the highway, but the same could be said of the other SUVs of this size.
During daily driving, the HR-V feels light and agile on its feet and is surprisingly fun to shake up in the turns, helped by the fact that it is quite light and has a short wheelbase. At the same time, he feels at his home during the cruise and does an excellent job because the journey is plush and well suited to daily use.
Verdict
The Honda HR-V checks a lot of boxes in its class. Despite its small imprint, it offers a spacious and comfortable interior that few of its rivals can correspond. It is also smooth and comfortable to drive daily and is a fairly good price. It would be even better than on -board technology was slightly improved, and it would be good if Honda offered it with a 2.0 -liter (and more powerful) 2.0 -liter hybrid group.
