Used Honda HR-V review

The Mexican-built Honda HR-V has a surprisingly low profile, largely because it’s overshadowed so much by its bigger and better-established brother, the CR-V. But this smart little SUV deserves a closer look, thanks to its spacious cabin, big boot and, less predictably, its towing abilities; it scooped the ‘up to 1,400kg’ crown in the 2016 Tow Car of the Year awards.

Honda claims that the initials HR-V are short for Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle, which was true of the original model from the turn of the century but something of an overstatement on this second-generation car. In fact, it doesn’t really offer anything that genuinely moves the game on, other than the ‘magic’ rear seats, the bases of which fold up like cinema chairs. However, if you’re looking for a high-riding compact family car that’s practical, should be painless to own, and is safe and well equipped, you should check it out.

Honda has never been afraid to innovate, but when the company launched its original HR-V crossover two decades ago, the car was maybe just that little bit too far ahead of the curve for its own good.

Buyers didn’t really understand this distinctively designed compact SUV, apparently preferring to buy the bigger and more established CR-V instead.

Fast forward 20 years and SUVs are all the rage, with particularly fierce competition in the small and mid-sized sectors. With the HR-V straddling these classes, in theory it’s all set to clean up. But you see surprisingly few on the road, so it’s clearly a little more exclusive than Honda would like. And that’s a shame, because we rather rate it.

In 2021 the quirky HR-V was replaced by a new model. Like the latest Civic, the new HR-V tones down the styling slightly, and it comes exclusively with a clever hybrid powertrain.

Models covered

• Honda HR-V Mk2 (2015-2021) - Reliable, safe and well-equipped SUV should be a pleasure to own. 

Honda HR-V Mk2

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History

The second-generation HR-V reached showrooms on 1 September 2015, priced from £17,995 and available only with a five-door body. Buyers could choose between 1.5-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel engines, both with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, and the former available with a CVT automatic transmission.

There were S, SE and EX trims, and in 2017 a limited-run Black Edition arrived. This was based on the SE, but it had black detailing, leather trim and 18-inch alloys.

A facelifted HR-V reaches showrooms imminently, with reshaped seats, upgraded interior trim and a refreshed exterior design. There’s also a new Sport version that has a 180bhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine.

Which one should I buy?

The 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth but doesn’t have enough torque, which is why the diesel is a better bet. This also offers stronger fuel economy and, because all HR-V diesels comply with Euro 6 emissions rules, you should avoid any future restrictions imposed on diesel engines.

You may be tempted by the CVT, but it’s worth noting that the manual transmission is much nicer to use in everyday life.

The HR-V Sport brings a much more powerful engine, and its performance is impressive for a small crossover. It’s fun to drive and the manual gearbox is fantastic, but the ride is rather firm and it doesn’t improve on the HR-V’s ageing tech. That was more of a problem when it was new and quite expensive, but on the used market it may not matter so much.

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The entry-level HR-V S comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB radio, Bluetooth, climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, automatic lights and cruise control. Mid-range SE has 17-inch wheels, an upgraded hi-fi, dual-zone climate control, power-fold mirrors, all-round parking sensors and a raft of driver assistance systems.

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Finally, the top-spec EX offers heated front seats, leather upholstery, an opening panoramic sunroof, privacy glass, LED headlights, sat-nav and a reversing camera.

Alternatives to the Honda HR-V Mk2

At 4.3 metres long, the HR-V is bigger than the first-generation Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008, but shorter than the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai. As a result, the Honda straddles the B and C-segment SUV sectors, so if the former are too small, the HR-V might be preferable to a car from the class above.

We love the Kuga, because it’s a great all-rounder, and the Renault and Peugeot offer very good value. If you’ve got a decent budget, take a look at the SEAT Ateca or Arona, as well as the Skoda Karoq. But, if cash is a little tighter, we suggest you consider the Skoda Yeti, which is another multi-talented family car.

What to look for

Alloy wheels

Diamond-cut alloys are prone to pitting. Dealers have replaced many under warranty; make sure you look at them closely. 

Sat-nav

The navigation system can struggle to find satellites. A software update in 2017 should have fixed this, so don’t despair if the nav doesn’t work. The dated sat nav tech does age the car, though, and there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Tyre pressures

The tyre pressure monitoring system can flag up incorrect readings. Carrying your own gauge will help recognise false positives.

Spare wheel

There’s no spare wheel of any kind supplied, but if you like to have extra reassurance, you can always buy a space saver.

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Interior

The HR-V’s dashboard and cabin are modern enough and generally solidly finished, but rather uninspiring, and the seats aren’t that comfy on a long drive. Rear space is good, as is versatility; the theatre-style ‘magic seat’ is something only Honda offers, and it’s a great feature. Boot space is good at 448 litres with the rear seats in use, and 1,026 litres when they’re folded. With the rear seats up, the HR-V offers around 70 litres more than a family hatchback like a Volkswagen Golf.

Prices

Check out used Honda HR-V prices on our sister site BuyaCar.

Running costs

All HR-Vs have to be serviced every 12 months or 12,500 miles. The first three check-ups cost £210, £280 and £260 for petrol cars; diesels are £20 extra each time, while the second and third services cost £85 more on HR-Vs with an automatic box.

Once an HR-V reaches its fourth service, it’s eligible for cut-price maintenance. Services alternate between minor and major, costing £165 and £270, while diesels are £20 extra each time, and CVTs £75 more.

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A service plan can also cut costs. For cars less than eight months old with no more than 8,000 miles, a plan covers servicing for up to five years or 62,500 miles.

Recalls

There has been just one recall for the HR-V so far, in October 2018 and affecting 5,097 cars built up to April 2018. The problem centred on possible chafing of the wiring loom, potentially leading to a blown fuse.

This could cause the wipers not to work or the engine not to start. Honda either repaired or replaced the wiring harness, depending on the severity of any damage. 

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The HR-V has never made it into a Driver Power survey, but some owners have left reviews on carbuyer.co.uk. Opinions online are often polarised, and that’s true here. For every buyer in love with their HR-V there’s one who regrets their purchase due to poor build quality or disappointing reliability. Honda as a brand finished sixth out of 30 manufacturers in 2021, which is promising.