Our three-month tenure with Honda’s smallest SUV has come to an finish, and returning the HR-V e:HEV X has left us with loads to unpack.
In contrast to typical long-term automobile critiques the place one journalist is presented nearly all of seat time, this HR-V was shared between myself and deputy market editor Josh Nevett – the 2 youngest members of the CarExpert editorial staff with wildly completely different use instances (he lives close to Melbourne’s CBD and I’m effectively out of city).
Josh broke down the fundamentals of the HR-V within the introduction we revealed in Could, and it’s now my flip to present you an perception into what our time with the automobile was like, and sum up our ideas. For steadiness, we’ve added Josh’s ideas in the direction of the underside of this evaluation.
All up, we clocked up a pair thousand kilometres within the HR-V over these three months, and my driving tasked it with long- and short-distance commuting, inner-suburb errand operating, and full-capacity carpooling, offering a broad snapshot of HR-V life.
I additionally reviewed the identical spec of HR-V in our regular seven-day format earlier this 12 months, so this was a great alternative to see how these takeaways stack up over the long run.
To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
The great
As is predicted of Honda, the HR-V boasts distinctive design and construct high quality, each in and out, though the outside is wise however doesn’t precisely stand out from the small SUV crowd.
With a easy, standard inside, the HR-V feels prefer it was constructed to be as user-friendly as doable. It nonetheless seems to be good too, and we like that many bodily buttons have been retained – there’s no diving into touchscreens to regulate the air-conditioning right here, for instance, and the centre stack dials specifically are satisfying to make use of with their notchy really feel.
Lots of the surfaces are completed in some type of artificial leather-based, which additionally means they’re mushy. There are comparable accents to the in any other case fabric seat trim, an upholstery possibility we recognize given the occasional heat day in Melbourne.
We didn’t have any points staying comfy in these seats on longer drives both, as they’re additionally mushy but supportive. Hopping in on colder days was made simpler by the material, however you additionally get two-setting seat heaters. Sadly no seat air flow, however that’s usually solely required for all-leather seats.
We additionally just like the chunky steering wheel and its buttons regardless of the latter being shiny and grime-prone, and the format of every part simply feels deliberate and purposeful, making this a extremely ergonomic car. Higher but, we didn’t hear any inside rattles or squeaks both.
When you get shifting, Honda’s hybrid system comes into its personal. It’s quiet at low velocity and prioritises electrical energy, whereas transitioning to the petrol engine is seamless and occurs on the proper time.
You get an honest kick from a standstill too, as there’s that immediate electrical torque helps the automobile really feel zippy round city. This additionally has gas financial system advantages that we’ll element additional down.
It isn’t the best-sounding engine you’ll ever hear, however Honda has a enjoyable method of getting across the drone produced by the CVT computerized. There are programmed ‘gear’ steps that solely reveal themselves at excessive revs, when the transmission will shift by means of them as if they’re actual.
That is much more pronounced in Sport mode, and since there’s no lag between any of the ‘gears’, you get the sensation of lightning-fast shifts. In order for you your non-performance Honda to really feel like one thing a bit peppier, that is the closest you’ll get.
Seating capability apart (for now), the HR-V can be fairly sensible. Boot area isn’t unimaginable on paper, however you possibly can truly pack quite a bit in – that is supported by the Magic Seats that may fold to open up extra space within the boot, or elevate to create area within the second row.
As talked about in our introduction, you possibly can comfortably match one thing as giant as a cricket bag within the boot, and I used to be capable of squeeze in a full-size golf bag with out collapsing the rear seats. This was very helpful as a result of it allowed me to suit occupants in all the HR-V’s seat, and loads of their gear.
Past that there’s Honda’s capped-price servicing, which provides 5 customary providers at an astounding worth of simply $199 every.
That’s one of many most cost-effective service costs you’ll discover within the small SUV phase, and an enormous drawcard for newcomers to the Honda model.
To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
The not so good
The elephant within the room is the seating association. There are solely two seats within the rear, as the center of the again bench can not legally be used as a seat as a result of there’s no seatbelt.
Why, I hear you ask? It’s just because Honda wouldn’t engineer a top-tether level for the center seating place, one thing that’s mandated by Australian Design Guidelines (ADR) for any nominated rear seat with a seatbelt. Honda’s answer was to suit nothing in any respect.
That is regardless of the HR-V being provided as a five-seater in some abroad markets. We’ve mentioned in critiques again and again that that is severely disappointing, because it limits the practicality of this car – there’s additionally no spare wheel and little under-floor boot storage.
What you get as a substitute is an ordinary fold-down armrest and a bit extra bolstering for the seat bases. We are able to’t think about the again of the HR-V can be that comfy if all three seating positions had been usable, however the reality this automobile is just a four-seater severely limits its attraction for a lot of consumers, whether or not they have households or not.
There have been a number of events when the HR-V couldn’t slot in everybody I wanted to ferry, and virtually each different SUV available on the market – together with direct rivals just like the Toyota C-HR and Mazda CX-30 – have not less than 5 seats for good motive.
Then there’s the infotainment state of affairs. We’ve heard complaints that the display screen is simply too small, however we don’t assume that is the top of the world.
What’s harder to stay with are the inconsistencies with Apple CarPlay. The HR-V helps wi-fi CarPlay, however as a rule my telephone wouldn’t join.
To keep away from messing round with getting one system to neglect the opposite and reconnect every part from sq. one, a wired connection was the way in which to go. The USB ports are situated in plain sight and are straightforward to seek out in low mild, which helps when plugging in a cable.
I’m not the most important fan of the multimedia display screen’s native graphics, however the giant packing containers are straightforward to learn. Comparable might be mentioned for the easy half-digital instrument cluster, however I nonetheless like the way in which every part is laid out right here forward of the motive force.
Lastly there’s the worth, which is a bit laborious to swallow for an SUV of this measurement. Our e:HEV X tester sits in the midst of the three-variant HR-V vary, however at $39,900 drive-away it’s solely $3000 cheaper than the flagship mannequin.
It’s additionally the most cost effective hybrid HR-V obtainable, with the only petrol variant opening the lineup at $34,900 drive-away. The hybrids are little question the variants to go for, and in that context they’re nonetheless cheaper than a C-HR ($42,990 earlier than on-roads).
However at base degree the HR-V is clearly costlier than its rivals. The CX-30 begins at $34,655 earlier than on-roads, the MG ZS Hybrid+ at $33,990 drive-away, the non-hybrid Nissan Qashqai at $34,665 earlier than on-roads, and the Hyundai Kona at $32,500 earlier than on-roads, for instance.
This has doubtless contributed to the HR-V’s comparatively low gross sales determine within the first half of 2025, when Honda delivered 2403 examples, which is far fewer than the Kona (11,241), ZS (10,177), CX-30 (6202) and Qashqai (2783).
To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device
Residing with the HR-V
My time behind the wheel of the HR-V ended up being pretty balanced, and included comparable quantities of freeway, suburban, and inner-city driving. I spend most of my seat time commuting, so we’ll begin there for a broad baseline in opposition to its rivals.
On common, my one-way commute takes round one hour and is comprised largely of freeway driving. This offers not solely loads of time to get acquainted with the entrance of a automobile’s cabin, but in addition to really feel how the automobile behaves at round 100km/h in addition to when crawling in visitors.
Regardless of its comparatively mushy suspension setup, the HR-V feels good at velocity. It’s planted on the freeway, which you will not anticipate given its comparatively slim tyres and fairly excessive journey top, which does provide a great view of the highway.
I had no points trundling alongside and the automobile feels fairly comfy at 110km/h. It’s additionally ready to take in bigger bumps and undulations with out throwing you round an excessive amount of, which meant I by no means dreaded driving it on the lengthy haul to or from work.
There’s a noticeable discount in engine and dealing with efficiency when totally laden, however the journey additionally turns into smoother with extra passengers and cargo.
Having additional weight over the rear axle creates fairly a snug journey, which is one thing I observed over the course of per week after I used the HR-V to ferry three associates backwards and forwards between Melbourne’s outer suburbs and its stadium precinct.
Every passenger had loads of area too, even within the again. After all the HR-V might by no means be an Uber given it lacks 5 seats, but it surely’s surprisingly good at transporting as much as 4 individuals.
Honda is famend for its journey/dealing with experience, and regardless of a definite lack of physique roll in comparison with lots of its rivals, the HR-V does provide fairly an opulent journey, particularly alongside cheaper variants of the CX-30 or Qashqai, as an example.
The automobile additionally has no problem ploughing over tram tracks, and inner-city driving is straightforward due to its small dimensions. It’s additionally fairly nimble due to an honest turning circle and lightweight low-speed steering, which makes it straightforward to string into tight carparks too.
Including a lot of weight does blunt the efficiency of the automobile although, and the engine turns into fairly shouty beneath laborious acceleration when totally loaded. It’s hardly insufferable throughout these few uncommon eventualities although.
The hybrid system greater than makes up for it. Over the course of three months our gas financial system hovered across the 5,0L/100km mark – a outstanding determine given the number of driving we subjected it to, and Honda’s declare of 4.3L/100km.
That mentioned, the HR-V solely has a 40-litre gas tank, which implies higher-load driving can drain it pretty shortly. On a number of events we noticed the automobile travelling at 80km/h in electrical mode, so it has the potential to be correctly environment friendly if the situations and driving behaviours align.
All that factors to fairly a complicated hybrid powertrain, similar to these obtainable throughout Honda Australia’s total mannequin vary.
In contrast to some vehicles that may take greater than a one-week take a look at to really feel comfy in, we felt at dwelling within the HR-V after just some days, which is testomony to how straightforward the automobile is to function and drive.
It’s backed up by a stable suite of security gear, though it does lack a surround-view digicam. As soon as once more its small measurement means it’s straightforward to park, thanks partly additionally its generously sized wing mirrors.
The one factor we are able to complain about right here is its adaptive cruise system, which is pretty beepy – for the shortage of a greater time period. It’ll beep when a automobile strikes in entrance of you and beep when the velocity restrict modifications, neither of which can be completely vital.
In any other case there’s little or no to complain about right here. In typical Honda vogue, the HR-V e:HEV X is a stable total bundle that does virtually every part effectively with out standing out in any single space.
Josh’s verdict on the HR-V
Having spent most of my stint within the HR-V caught in metropolis visitors, I’d surmise that it’s a sensible and environment friendly commuter with out deal-breaking flaws.
The powertrain gained’t set your world on fireplace, but it surely’ll be low-cost to run and sure reliable. The adaptive cruise management works a deal with, too, and it’s a characteristic that’s extra necessary to me than most.
Likewise, the inside was designed with operate over kind in thoughts. Honda’s famed ‘Magic Seats’ by no means stop to impress, and the HR-V is effectively outfitted to deal with the calls for of a small household.
The shortage of dependable wi-fi smartphone mirroring is an annoyance, although, and the four-seat cabin design unimaginative.
Personally, I’d be after one thing with a bit extra persona for the cash, however the HR-V ought to nonetheless tick loads of packing containers for a lot of small SUV consumers.
Discover out extra
Discover out extra concerning the automobile
Excited about shopping for a Honda HR-V? Let CarExpert discover you the most effective deal right here
Click on the pictures for the complete gallery
MORE: 2025 Honda HR-V e:HEV X evaluation – Lengthy-term introduction
