Auto Trader cars

Skip to contentSkip to footer

Honda HR-V

New from £20,575 / £399 p/m

Search new & used Lease this vehicle
Petrol, diesel or petrol hybrid
Automatic or manual
SUV
5 seats
5 doors
Auto Trader Logo

Is the Honda HR-V SUV a good car?

Read our expert review

Icon image of auto-trader

Words by: Auto Trader

Icon image of auto-trader

Additional words by: Auto Trader

"Competition in the small SUV and crossover sector is intense and Honda’s HR-V has a longer history than most with a clear understanding of what buyers want. Style will be a strong motivation for buyers of these cars and remains a personal choice but, objectively, the HR-V is competent, refined, reliable and blessed with a few neat touches of its own, though the infotainment system isn’t the sharpest in the class."

3.5

Read the review by category

chevron-down

Running costs for a Honda HR-V

3/5

Compared with more mainstream rivals like the Seat Arona or Renault Captur the HR-V is quite expensive to buy while being better value than more premium alternatives like the Audi Q2. In terms of running costs the two petrol engines are pretty comparable in terms of CO2 and fuel consumption, meaning no penalty on these scores in going for the more powerful turbocharged version. Automatic versions are generally a little better still than their manual equivalents, which will offer further tax savings for company drivers. In the usual style diesels are the best on fuel and CO2 but higher purchase prices mean little advantage on the bottom line.

Reliability of a Honda HR-V

5/5

Honda has proved time and again that its cars are mechanically robust, and as long as they are maintained properly, they’ll run and run for years without issue or complaint. This well-deserved reputation is backed up by the brand’s strong position in the Warranty Direct Reliability Index. And while the HR-V itself doesn’t appear at a model level the Jazz with which it shares many of its parts is one of the most reliable vehicles Warrant Direct has tested so it’s safe to assume you can buy with confidence. The HR-V comes with a standard three-year warranty, but coverage does last until you hit the 90,000-mile mark, and there is a five-year fixed price service plan available.

Safety for a Honda HR-V

5/5

The HR-V scored the maximum five stars when tested by safety organisation Euro NCAP – which is perhaps no surprise given the amount of standard kit on board. Every model in the range comes with six airbags, hill start assist, Isofix points on the outer rear seats, LED headlights, and active city braking, so the car will intervene and brake for you if it anticipates a sudden impact. On all but the most basic trim level you also get forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition with ‘intelligent’ speed limiter and lane departure warning.

How comfortable is the Honda HR-V

3/5

The looks may have an SUV influence but Honda has – correctly - prioritised comfort and ease of driving on the road rather than pretending it’s a mud-plugging 4x4. The controls are light, with accurate steering and soft suspension that makes the HR-V a comfortable cruiser on the motorway but a little wallowy on twisty roads. It feels a little unsettled on bumps too, a feeling made worse if you opt for bigger wheels. The Sport model more performance-oriented suspension and feels a little more composed, the trade-off being a slightly firmer edge to the ride. Honda improved the front seats in the HR-V’s mid-life update and there’s plenty of movement and an adjustable steering wheel to help you find a comfortable driving position. Over the shoulder visibility isn’t great due to thick pillars and it doesn’t feel quite as high up as other crossovers so there’s not quite the commanding view many drivers like. It feels impressively nimble, though, and there is a ton of space in the back with additional practicality from the Magic Seat folding system it takes from the Jazz. So it’s versatile, the main disappointment being how cheap some of the materials feel.

Features of the Honda HR-V

4/5

Equipment on even the most basic trim is decent, including an ‘ECON’ driving mode for improved fuel consumption, Bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel controls and cruise control. You need to go a level up for parking sensors, leather on the steering wheel and shifter, a rear view camera and the Garmin-driven touchscreen navigation system. Further up the range you get luxuries like a panoramic roof, leather, fancier external trim and roof rails while various trim and options packages present further opportunity for individualising the look of your HR-V.

Power for a Honda HR-V

2/5

In the lower trim levels your choice is between a single petrol or diesel engine, all front-wheel drive and available with a manual gearbox or an transmission. The 120 horsepower diesel feels more suited to the car and picks up briskly, though it is quite noisy and you feel its vibrations through the pedals and gearstick. The petrol isn’t much more refined and, in both cases, the automatic suffers further due to the way the revs rise without a corresponding increase in acceleration. It’s a characteristic of the ‘CVT’ style automatics Honda prefers but knocks the edge off response as well as being noisy. If you want a bit more pep there’s a turbocharged petrol exclusively available on Sport models and it’s usefully quicker without penalising you too hard on running costs. Again, we’d recommend sticking with the manual over the automatic.

Lease deals

These deals are based on terms of 8,000 miles, for a 36 month lease with a 6 months initial payment.

Standard equipment

Expect the following equipment on your Honda HR-V SUV. This may vary between trim levels.

Related articles and reviews

Should I buy the Honda HR-V? (2022 review)

New Honda HR-V combines clever hybrid engine with great interior space and practicality

Expert review2 years ago

Honda HR-V SUV (2018 - ) review

Read about the Honda HR-V, the compact crossover combining the practicality and reliability of a Jazz with the trendier looks and style to compete with more fashionable rivals

Expert review4 years ago

Honda HR-V 1.6i-DTEC SE Navi long-term test review – sixth report

Contributing editor Pete Tullin looks back on the the six months he has spent living with Honda's smallest crossover. How well has it coped with the challenges of everyday life?

Long-term review8 years ago

Honda HR-V 1.6i-DTEC SE Navi long-term test review – fifth report

Contributing editor Pete Tullin is spending six months living with Honda's smallest crossover to see how well it can cope with the challenges of everyday life.

Long-term review8 years ago

Your questions answered

Monthly rentals ('payments') are not an offer of credit. Payments are based on offers available today which may be withdrawn or varied at any time in the future without notice.

Contract Hire ('Leasing') is subject to status and approval and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Vehicle must be returned with no more than fair wear and tear to avoid further charges. You will not own the vehicle. Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply.

Auto Trader Limited (Firm Reference Number: 735711) is a credit broker and not a lender. Auto Trader Limited introduces you to Autorama UK Ltd (Trading as Auto Trader leasing), which acts as a credit broker in its own right. Autorama UK Ltd, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7DE (Firm Reference Number: 630748) may go on to introduce you to one of a limited number of funders. Autorama UK Ltd will typically receive a commission or other benefits from the funder as a result of this introduction.

Autorama UK Ltd is an Auto Trader Group Plc company.

Vehicles are subject to availability and may vary from images shown.