Honda HR-V: Full Reivew

Honda HR-V (£18,495 - £26,055)

For:

• Sleek, modern design
• Class-leading practicality

Against:

• Only available as front-wheel-drive
• Lack of engine choice

Engines & Powertrains

Despite being a crossover, the HR-V is only available in front-wheel-drive. Although Honda has entered the incredibly lucrative compact crossover segment, it may come as a surprise that there are only two engines on offer.

For those who favour diesel power, the 1.6-litre i-DTEC unit offers in excess of 70 mpg and CO2 emissions from as little as 104 g/km. There's 118 bhp on offer, however the 300 Nm of torque does come in quite late at 2,000 rpm. Nevertheless, it is capable of reaching 62 mph in a not-too-shabby 10 seconds exactly.

If petrol is more your style, the 1.5-litre i-VTEC is what you'll end up with. It's the only petrol-powered engine in the HR-V range. It offers 10 more bhp over the diesel engine, but a significant drop in torque to a total of 155 Nm. Yet again, the i-VTEC engine will require a lot of revving to get the most power, with torque and power peaking between 4,600-6,600 rpm. Honda claims that this engine will return more than 50 mpg and emit 120 g/km.

Both engines come as standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, however the 1.5-litre i-VTEC can be specified with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Fiddling with the software, Honda says the CVT delivers power through a 'multi-gear' technology, making it feel more like a traditional 7-speed automatic. This can be noted when braking, where the system seemingly downshifts to provide more engine braking. Of course, it's still a CVT which does not make way for the most exhilarating of drives.

Some buyers may find the HR-V to be quite expensive to insure, with the petrol falling into group 18 and diesels a bit higher at 20.

Interior & Practicality

The chic one-piece touch-sensitive panel that houses all of the controls for the car's climate control oozes sophistication and helps entice those who wouldn't usually consider a Honda. The infotainment display with minimal buttons also looks great in the centre console.

The leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel is a great feature, but some may find the amount of buttons to be overwhelming at times. All models feature an electronic parking brake which helps promote the feeling of airiness.

The giant central speedometer dominates the instrument cluster, sitting amid the equally-sized rev counter to the left and driver information display to the right. A nice little touch is the fact that the whole cluster glows green when being driven in an eco-friendly manner.

Entry-level 'S' has a 5-inch infotainment display as standard, but it's the 'SE' that adds Honda CONNECT - a 7-inch touchscreen that runs an Android operating system. Nevertheless, all models have DAB digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity.

Even the standard HR-V is equipped with alloy wheels, daytime runnings lights, all-round electric windows and cruise control with a speed limiter.

It's the top-of-the-range 'EX' that gains leather upholstery with heated front seats, LED headlights, a reversing camera and keyless entry.

All members of the HR-V family have Honda's Magic Seat system. For those who are unfamiliar with this innovation, the seat bases can be folded into the backrests of the rear seats so that, in the case of the HR-V, you can transport items that are up to 124 cm high, in the rear footwells (and where the seat base usually is!).

Behind the wide-opening tailgate is a 470-litre boot with easy access thanks to a low load lip. Fold down the 60:40 split folding Magic Seats to uncover a total loading area of 1,533 litres. Thanks to the flat folding rear seats, the HR-V can carry items up to 184.5 cm long. When equipped with a flat-folding front passenger seat, this length grows to 244.5 cm.

Safety & Reliability

Passive safety equipment, such as the 8 airbags as standard, aren't enough to secure top marks in safety ratings nowadays. That's why all HR-Vs are equipped with the City-Brake Active System. A radar senses moving objects ahead and can automatically apply the brakes, although the system only works at speeds of up to 20 mph.

Optionally available is the Advanced Driver Assist System. As well as a radar, it incorporates front- and rear-facing cameras. At speeds of over 9 mph it is able to alert the driver of a possible collision, and the Lane Departure Warning System does exactly what it says on the tin. Other features are the High-beam Support System and Traffic Sign Recognition which can display a maximum of two signs in the instrument cluster. This works hand-in-hand with the Intelligent Speed Limiter to ensure the driver is sticking to the speed limit at all times, whether it means slowing down the car gradually and gently or alerting the driver should he or she exceed the speed limit by more than 2 mph. Don't worry, it can be disabled!

The Honda HR-V, therefore, earned the full 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The HR-V is covered by a 3-year 90,000-mile warranty, however this can be upgraded to 4 or 5 years for £460 or £850 respectively.

Rivals & Competition

If you're in the market for a Honda HR-V, it's worth checking out some of its closest rivals:

• Nissan Juke
• Renault Captur
• Vauxhall Mokka

Honda Jazz

After months of anticipation, Honda has released the pricing and specification for its all new Jazz. Previously (well, currently) being sold from £12,195, the motor company will be starting the range at a higher but still manageable £13,495. SE models which are placed in the middle of the lineup will be offered from £14,595 where high-spec EX comes in at £15,715. Prices climb as high as £17,000 exclusive of options. You'll be able to buy the delightfully refreshed Jazz as of September with the new '65' plates, too. It won't be unbearably pricey to buy on PCP either, with monthly payments from around £139 and a 5.9% APR when a 30% deposit has been contributed.

Some of the Jazz's key features are the highly practical 354-litre boot which extends to 897 litres after having folded down the rear seats, Honda's Magic Seats which are of course present in the new Jazz as with its other vehicles, and air conditioning, cruise control and automatic headlights which are all fitted as standard.

Replacing the old 1.4-litre petrol engine is the new 102 PS 1.3-litre i-VTEC. A real selling point would be CO2 emissions of under 100 g/km, but that simply isn't the case with the lowest emissions being 106. It can be specified with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a newly developed CVT, both aimed at fuel economy and all said to deliver more than 50 mpg.

Honda HR-V

Honda's front-wheel-drive crossover will be offered with 2 engines, a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol unit and a 1.6-litre i-DTEC unit producing 130 PS and 120 PS respectively. Both are available with a 6-speed manual 'box, with the addition of a CVT to the petrol guise.

The 60:40 split folding rear seats turn the 453-litre boot into a respectable 1023-litre space.  

Honda Civic

What is it?

The 9th generation Civic has been here since 2012, 40 years after the introduction of the first Civic. It’s somewhat similar to the first generation, in terms of fuel efficiency. The 1st generation was able to run on leaded or unleaded fuel, giving drivers the flexibility to choose the cheapest fuel at the time as well as what was available. In 1975 the CVCC engine was introduced to give even better efficiency. The 5th generation of 1991 employed more aerodynamic styling to further improve efficiency. The latest model’s aim is to get lower CO2 figures and higher mpg figures. More on that later.

What should I know?

The Civic’s first million sales was reached within 5 years of launch back in 1972, since then over 20 million have been sold. Despite that, only 650,000 have been sold in the UK – a tiny 3.25% of all sold. More than 170,000 8th generation Civics were sold in Britain alone – the best looking model in my eyes.

Something else that you should know is that Honda expects its customers to be 45-year-old males. So if you’re a young buyer, you might be seen as having an old person’s car. Personally, I don’t see why it’s middle-aged men that Honda’s aiming at. It’s an attractive car for any age group, really. Oh, and if it bothers you that much, it’s built in Swindon.

Engines

There are four great engines available, two petrols and two diesels. They’re the:

• 1.4 i-VTEC
• 1.6 i-DTEC
• 1.8 i-VTEC
• 2.2 i-DTEC

Tech Specs

The most efficient engine, the 1.6 i-DTEC, will return 78.5 mpg yet emit just 94 g/km of CO2. Contrasting to the least efficient model, the 1.8 i-VTEC which has different figures for different trim levels, but returns about 44 mpg and emits 150 g/km of CO2.

Competitors

The Civic takes on different body styles across the world to adapt to its home in order to return the best sales figures. In America, it’s a saloon (known there as a sedan), similar in style to the Audi A3 Saloon here in the UK. In America, it’s up against the Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla and Kia Forte.

But here in Britain, it takes on the hatchback guise. This means it rivals the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Hyundai i30, Kia Cee’d, Seat Leon, Mazda 3, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Peugeot 308. And that’s not even all of them! The medium-sized family hatchback is big here, so they all need to have something going for them to remain competitive in the market.

It’s also offered as a Civic Tourer estate guise. This competed against the estate versions of the hatchbacks above where applicable, so the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, Hyundai i30 Tourer, Kia Cee’d Sportswagon, Seat Leon ST, Peugeot 308 SW, and the Škoda Octavia Estate (which doesn’t compete with the Civic hatchback because below the Octavia estate sits the saloon).

Just to add another category, the new Honda Civic Type-R is due for release in 2015. Expect this to compete against the sporty counterparts to the hatches above – the Volkswagen Golf GTI, GTE, GTD and R, Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR, Kia Cee’d GT, Kia Pro_Cee’d GT, Seat Leon Cupra, Audi S3, Audi RS3, BMW M135i, Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG (surely soon to be known as the Mercedes-AMG A45), Ford Focus RS (to arrive later in 2015) and Peugeot 308 R Concept.

Pricing

• S – £16,995
• S-T – £17,990
• SE Plus – £20,995
• SE Plus-T – £21,500
• SR – £23,355
• EX Plus – £25,255

There’s also a Black Special Edition available for £22,460.

Standard Kit

Entry level S models get:

• Standard 16″ alloys on i-VTEC models, Aero 16″ alloys on i-DTEC models
• Air conditioning
• Idle stop on manual transmissions
• Magic Seats
• Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors
• Manual height adjustable driver’s seat
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• All-round electric windows
• LED daytime running lights and Halogen headlights
• Aux-in and USB connections

Make it an S-T to get:

• Satellite navigation
• Bluetooth® handsfree telephone functionality

Step up to SE Plus for:

• The same 16″ Aero alloys on i-DTEC models, but 17″ alloys on i-VTEC models
• Dual zone automatic climate control with air con
• Cruise control
• Rear view parking camera
• Power folding door mirrors (you can also control these from the key fob)
• Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather gear knob on manual models only
• Front and rear parking sensors

SE Plus-T follows the same as the S-T, it just adds:

• Satellite navigation
• Bluetooth® handsfree telephone functionality

SR adds:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Sat nav
• Auto dim rear view mirror
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rear tinted windows

Expect the following on the top spec EX Plus model:

• Keyless entry and go
• Bi-HID headlights
• Hight beam support system
• Headlight washers

But let’s not forget about the Black Special Edition. It builds on the S spec with the following:

• Roof spoiler
• Front and side skirts
• 17″ ‘Gun Powder’ black alloys

Options

The Dynamic Pack adds a rear roof spoiler, front, rear and side skirts and an illuminated doorstep garnish. It’s available on all models excluding the Special Edition for £1,250.

Get the Aero Pack for £995 on SE Plus, SR and EX Plus. It gets you a front sports bumper and a rear diffuser.

A Bluetooth® add-on is only £295, but for £695 a rear view parking camera is yours.

With front fog lights for £395, front parking sensors for £415 or rear parking sensors for £535, you can hopefully avoid an accident.

What about a sportier look? Front skirts are £355, £300 for a sports grille, rear diffuser is £495, side skirts are £465, sports fuel tank lid is £95, or a roof spoiler is £395. Surely there’s something there that you want?

If you’re more of a family orientated 45-year-old man, Honda recommends that you buy one of the child seats available from £160 to £300. Of course, you don’t actually have to be a 45-year-old man, let’s prove Honda wrong!

Alloys are available at £795 for 17″, or £995 for 18″. Two options are offered for each size.

My Car

Unlike other cars where I’m keen to go for higher-end models for better standard kit, the Civic is an attractive offer in even base S trim! I’d go for SE Plus though.

• SE Plus-T with the 1.6 i-DTEC manual engine – £22,505
• Urban Titanium Metallic paint – £23,030
• Grey fabric interior – £23,030
• Drive Assistance Safety Pack I – £23,810
• 17″ Radium alloy wheels – £24,605
• Front skirts – £24,960
• Roof spoiler – £25,355
• Rear diffuser – £25,850
• Side skirts – £26,315
• Front sports grille – £26,615
• Rear parking sensors – £27,150