► 10 year wait: was it worth it?
► Honda HR-V has tough rivals
► Not the interior we hoped for
Though Toyota’s RAV4 might take issue, Honda claims to have invented the ‘compact crossover’ segment with its first HR-V in 1999. Nice to see, then, that the company has so cunningly capitalised on this alleged head-start with a total absence from said segment for the best part of a decade. Sharp-suited, properly compact and complete with carrying-handle, that first HR-V stood out in every way that this wearily generic offering does not. So Honda still hasn’t penned a striking car since the part-pyramid, part-jet fighter, trophy cabinet-hootered, previous generation Civic.
A good foot longer than its ancestor, painstaking packaging gives the HR-V the capacities nod over larger rivals such as the ubiquitous Qashqai. The driving position’s very comfy, there’s adult legroom astern, and the clever Magic Seat system swiped from the Jazz allows for the ready transportation of a fully-conscious Shetland pony, if required.
Not the quality we expected
A pity, then, that – despite ample standard kit – the dashboard design lacks visual homogeny, presenting, rather, as merely a loose gathering of Stuff You Want, and that elements such as the low-rent air-vent control tabs fall short of the engineering quality we expect from Honda. The company still attracting more than its fair share of petrol aficionados, the 1.5 litre i-VTEC beckons, and then disappoints. It’s raucous, and somewhat gutless, never flinging open all the windows at high revs.
Though the 1.6 diesel is still vocal enough to hold sway over minimal road and wind noise, it’s a far more eager proposition; 221lb ft of torque obviating the VTEC’s insistence on the relentless over-deployment of a crisp, short-throw gearchange.
At the price of an acceptably supple ride which some might consider a little on the tough side, front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam undercarriage gang up with precise, nicely weighted steering to imbue the HR-V with handling that’s more engaging than any tall rival that springs to mind.
Artfully packaged but no oil painting, this is a solid effort which fails to blow the frock up in any particular area. Perhaps it’s unfair to feel piqued simply because of the HR-V’s ten year gestation period. How long have we had to wait for the next NSX? Commence fretting.
Honda HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SE Navi: the specs
Price: £22,105
Engine: 1597cc 16v 4-cylinder turbodiesel, 118bhp @ 4000rpm, 221lb ft @ 2000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 10.2 sec 0-62mph, 119mph, 70.6mpg, 104g/km CO2
Weight: 1324kg
On Sale: Now
Verdict: We lavish it with faint praise
Rating: ***