Honda HR-V review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

If you’re a family buyer looking for a small SUV that offers decent boot space, then the HR-V won’t be for you. Many of its rivals, such as the SEAT Arona and Peugeot 2008, provide more luggage room, although that’s not to say that the HR-V is completely lacking in practicality. 

While its 335-litre boot is merely adequate, you’ll find Honda’s innovative ‘Magic Seats’ setup in the rear of the cabin, which means not only will the seat backs fold flat, but the squab can also be pulled up into a vertical position - freeing up lots of useful space and allowing you to transport taller items.

The HR-V features a host of standard kit that helps to make things more comfortable for both the driver and passengers. Automatic wipers and LED headlights are included on all versions, as is adaptive cruise control and heated front seats, while Honda has also designed a new ventilation system for the HR-V – creating air flow along the side window line to help cool or warm the car without generating a draught.

Size

The third-generation HR-V is a touch longer than the previous model at 4,340mm long, which also puts it ahead of the Ford Puma (4,207mm) and the Renault Captur (4,227mm). In fact, the HR-V is bigger all-round compared with many of its close rivals, including the Puma, Captur, Peugeot 2008 and SEAT Arona, although Honda has done a good job in ensuring it doesn’t feel cumbersome or unwieldy from behind the wheel.

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Leg room, head room and passenger space

There’s plenty of space on offer in the HR-V for both the driver and front passenger, while those in the outer rear seats should find things pretty comfortable, too. If you’ve drawn the short straw and find yourself in the narrow centre rear seat, things will feel a little cramped, however. 

Again, knee room for those in the outer rear seats is excellent, although the slightly sloping roofline does impact on head room a touch, but it’s not a great deal different in the Renault Captur and will only affect taller occupants.

Boot

It’s a step down in boot size for the latest HR-V, compared to the second-generation model it replaces. But, at 335 litres, the Honda’s boot is still bigger than the Captur’s 326-litre space, although is trumped by the Arona’s 400 litres. The boot lip is slightly stepped, but if you fold down the rear seats you’ll reveal a completely flat 1,305-litre load space.