Without a plug-in & with just the Honda-e electric car, Honda have recently overhauled their range & introduced a full hybrid engine, that offers customers not yet ready for the charging world, a model that will work for them. One model featuring the latest engine is the HR-V which we drove recently.
What is it ?
The Honda e:HEV system fitted to the HR-V is a full hybrid that can run on silent electric power which a mild hybrid cannot do. This is useful because Honda only offer the HR-V with one powertrain which is the 1.5i-MMD Advance e-CVT unit which comes with 129bhp.
Engine, driving modes & brake regeneration
The hybrid system on the HR-V uses a 1.5-litre i-MMD petrol engine that acts as a generator to charge the two electric motors. The HRV offers three driving modes; Eco, Normal & Sport & you can also utilise the steering wheel mounted paddles for regenerative braking.
Model range & equipment
All models feature 18″ alloys, front & rear parking sensors, LED auto headlights, adaptive cruise control, a 9″ touchscreen with integrated SatNav, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay connectivity.
The three model choices are; Elegance, with Honda CONNECT, Honda SENSING, smart entry & start & an air diffusion system. Advance, featuring a heated steering wheel, blind spot Information incl. Cross Traffic Monitor, LED cornering lights, electric folding door mirrors, black synthetic leather fabric seats & range topping Advance Style, with orange accents, two-tone colour options, roof rails & a wireless charger.
Exterior
The latest HR-V is a squat, chunky looking five-door hatchback,with sharper lines than the last model & a coupe-like rear end reminiscent of the Audi Q3 & Q4 Sportback & to our eyes, looks great. It’s actually longer than it looks thanks to its extended wheelbase & at 4,340mm, it’s ahead of competition such as the Ford Puma, Renault Captur, Vauxhall Mokka & Peugeot 2008.
Interior
Honda have always combined practical touches & decent finishes inside their cars – I had a Civic Mk2 company car in 1990 – & the latest HR-V does this too. The interior is impressive, with some top-notch plastics used on the dashboard, front & rear doors & between the front seats. It definitely doesn’t feel cheap. Separate dial climate controls sit central underneath the touchscreen, with the gear lever & driving mode functions , electric handbrake all falling easily to hand.
SatNav & infotainment
The touchscreen is easy to reach for the driver, always a good thing. The screen itself is clear & the menus on it are laid out as colour coded tiles for the system shortcuts. More good news is that you also get physical controls that take you to Home & Volume amongst others, so that you aren’t totally dependant on the screen whilst on the move. The systems not the sharpest or quickest out there, but it’s much better than what came before.
We should also mention the My Honda+ App, which allows you to us your smartphone as a digital key, useful when parking, locking or opening your car.
Practicality
Honda have actually reduced the boot size of the latest HR-V over it’s predecessor. In creating a sexier looking car the boot has shrunk to 335-litres. The good news though is that the new model features Hondas ‘Magic Seats’, enabling the rear seats to be configured to fold flat or pulled into a vertical position, meaning taller items can be transported. If you fold down the rear seats you’ll find a completely flat 1,305-litre load space. Very useful !
In the cabin there’s twin cup holders between the front seats, under armrest space, a slim glove box & door pockets plus a USB on the driver & passenger side of the car. The rear features a fold down armrest with cup holders, twin USB’s, seat back pockets but strangely no door storage.
Front passengers have plenty of room to stretch out & in the rear thanks to the longish-wheelbase, occupants have good leg room. The rear seats sit quite high & taller passengers may struggle for headroom.
Performance & fuel economy
The addition of the electric motor, with 96kW or 131PS, gives the HR-V decent enough performance, with a 0-62mph time of 10.7 seconds & a top speed of 106mph. Maximum torque is 131Nm. Combined economy is a claimed 52.3 mpg, which I’m pleased to say we exceeded with 54.2mpg !
On the road
The HR-V comes with Honda i-MMD, meaning that Multi-Mode Drive is offers. In essence, this means that your HR-V will automatically switch between electric, hybrid & petrol engine power, depending on the type of driving you’re doing. This in theory will give you the best performance & efficiency for any given driving scenario. So, in town or local roads, when you’re driving at under 30mph, this has the affect of making it feel like you’re driving an EV rather than a hybrid petrol.The steering is light & precise & you don’t have to work hard to drive it at all.
On the motorway, we utilised Adaptive Cruise Control & Autonomous Driving which allowed for easy progress at motorway speeds. Our only criticism of the set up is that the distance adjustment was a touch sensitive & we found the car slowed down far too quickly on occasion.
As far as acceleration goes, the e-CVT gearbox suffers from the elastic-band like feeling you get on Toyota’s, in that the harder you push, the louder the gearbox groans before selecting the correct forward gear. Once you’re there it’s tickety-boo, but it does take some enjoyment out of the ride, which is a shame as otherwise the HR-V handles well, is quiet on the road & comfortable with it.
Pros
We really like the look of the HR-V both inside & out. Honda’s clever engineers have made a frugal engine that provides outstanding electrified performance & very good real-world economy. Build quality is above the competition.
Cons
Our test car the Advance retails at £31,780, so it’s not the cheapest car in it’s sector. Without a plug-in or electric powertrain, company car drivers will be looking at high BIK if they choose one.
Conclusion
It had been a long time since we’d driven an HR-V but we needn’t have worried as it didn’t disappoint. The cabin is a highlight & nicer than what you’d get from Renault, VW, SEAT or Peugeot. It’s also an enjoyable car to drive, only slightly let down by the CVT gear box. In the fleet sector the only thing missing is a plug-in drive train or EV version. For the time being then, the HR-V is a great option for customers not yet ready for the charging world, as a model that will work for them.
A Takahashi Ken 3.75/5
