Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

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

The boot is smaller than before, but the HR-V offers plenty of flexible cabin space

Practicality, comfort and boot space rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£30,705 £37,995
Avg. savings
£1,728 off RRP*
Pros
  • Impressive fuel economy
  • Flexible rear space
  • Good build quality
Cons
  • Expensive to buy
  • Small boot
  • Noisy under hard acceleration
Find your Honda HR-V
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

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. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

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.

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.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.5 eHEV Elegance 5dr CVT
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £30,705
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.5 eHEV Elegance 5dr CVT
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £31,495
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    1.5 eHEV Elegance 5dr CVT
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £30,705
Select car
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

New & used car deals

Honda Hr-V

Honda Hr-V

RRP £30,705Avg. savings £1,728 off RRP*Used from £20,100
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,155Avg. savings £2,019 off RRP*Used from £15,299
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £15,940Avg. savings £2,827 off RRP*Used from £9,000
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,540Avg. savings £3,974 off RRP*Used from £15,633
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025