Honda HR-V | Test Drive | Auto Class Magazine

Honda HR-V | Test Drive

2 November 2022 Redazione News, Tested

HONDA HR-V

Words Marco Rallo / Photos Ian Waltteri

1998 seems just moments away, yet almost 25 years have passed. A quarter of a century that separates the birth of the HR-V from this third generation presented last year and which introduces numerous solutions in a segment that has in the meantime become fundamental for all those brands that aim for large numbers, precisely like Honda. The Crossover coupe, as defined by the house, comes in a time when it is becoming increasingly important to keep dimensions all in all contained and that can be declined towards daily and above all urban use, but where at the same time on board space is needed for people and objects, as well as technology and consumption and emissions that respect the continuous evolution dictated by international regulations. The new HR-V firmly responds to all these requests with a model that is aesthetically impossible to overlook.

Forget for a moment the more than questionable color of the model of our test – a khaki green that does absolutely no justice to the shapes of the car – and instead concentrate on that coupe look that so much appeals to young and gray-haired customers. A pinch of panache in a sector primarily designed to be practical and effective regardless of the totality of use towards which a 1.5 Full Hybrid can be addressed. 4.3 meters long and 1.8 meters high, the HR-V seems to resume the stylistic argument introduced back in ’98, adapting it to the contemporary family feeling and indeed projecting it into the near future where every surface seems smoothed by the wind, starting from the massive front which has an optional grille in the same color as the bodywork, passing through a clean side profile and a raised tail, from which to access a luggage compartment that is not gigantic (320 / 1.305 liters of load capacity) but certainly functional for most of its customers. Sticking ‘round here, there is obviously room for 5 people on board, but the rear “magic seats” can be raised and thus offer space to load bulky and tall objects that would otherwise not find space in the trunk. The battery pack is stowed under floor in the cargo area, while the petrol tank moves forward under the driver’s seat. This is how you properly exploit spaces.

Okay, the HR-V is incredibly practical, but how does it behave once driving? Currently only available as a Full Hybrid, the 4-cylinder 1.5 petrol engine is combined with an intelligent electric unit that comes into play at low speeds (with charged battery), or in parallel with the internal combustion when more power is required and therefore deliver 131 horsepower and 131 Nm of torque. No performance ambitions therefore, but a compact and linear engine that makes driving in the city and outside the urban environment very relaxed and allows an average consumption of about 6 liters per 100 kilometers. The transmission is a CVT type, but combined with the electric unit it seems to act better than usual, as long as you do not expect to rush into sudden overtaking.

The cockpit of the new HR-V is another point in favor for the Japanese crossover, since while maintaining the cleanliness of the elements and a modern design introduced with some other models of the brand, offers a perfect view all around thanks to a seating position raised from the ground. In front of the driver there is a partially digital instrumentation, with the left dial configurable using the buttons located on the same spoke of the steering wheel. The paddles – being a CVT gearbox – are not here to change gears, but to manage the intensity of the engine brake, which in turn also increases or decreases the energy recovery of the batteries. Infotainment system with 9” cantilever screen that integrates satellite navigator, connectivity with any type of smartphone and provides complete control over all vehicle functions. You got that.

The HR-V is one of those cars that are not designed to excite, but rather to make everyday life more enjoyable, the one made up of boring journeys, traffic, motorways and any other scenario you can think of. In each of this context and perhaps even in road conditions that are not perfect at all – still taking into account that traction is only on the front wheels – the new Honda crossover responds affirmative and does so with an unmistakable style and once again full of inspiration coming with prices that start at about € 31,800, a figure after all affordable if we consider the package offered by the Japanese company and the care found in the assemblies all over the place. One thing only: pick another color!