Honda is making a bold statement with its new family oriented hybrid compact SUV.
And about time, too. The Japanese car company, which places great store on its engineering, has for too long let rivals grab the style limelight.
I’ve just been driving the HR-V, its new hybrid electric vehicle, which hits showrooms later this month.
Hybrid high-style: The new HR-V is a sleek, premium-feel family car
Finally, it offers improved looks with a striking style and clever tech.
The bold front grille combines with a low slung, aerodynamic sleekness enhanced by seamlessly integrated rear door handles.
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Available only as a hybrid, its 1.5-litre petrol engine is linked to two electric motors generating 131hp.
Drive judiciously and store up juice and you’ll be cruising mainly in electric power, which is prioritised over the petrol engine. The latter kicks in when you need added power.
Will it fit in my garage? New Honda HR-V
Price: from £26,960 to £31,660
On sale and in showrooms: late November
First deliveries: Early New Year
Seats: 5
Length: 4,340mm
Width (with door mirrors): 2,028mm
Width (mirrors folded): 1,866mm
Width (body only): 1,790mm
Height: 1,592mm
Wheelbase: 2,610mm
Ground clearance: 188mm
Ground clearance (full load): 150mm
Weight: 1380 to 1401kg
Type: petrol self-charging hybrid
Propulsion: 1.5 litre petrol engine linked to two electric motors
Total power: 131 horse-power.
0-62mph: 10.6 seconds
Top speed: 106mph.
Gears: eCVT (continuously variable transmission)
Drive: Two-wheel drive (front)
Fuel economy: 52.3mpg
CO2 emissions: 122g/km. Honda reckons a full tank should give a range of 460 miles –
Trim levels: Elegance, Advance, Advance Style.
Driving modes: eco, normal, and sport.
Also: ‘one pedal driving’
Boot Capacity (rear seats up): Up to 335 litres
Boot capacity (rear seats folded): Up to 1,305 litres
Most of the time the two work seamlessly together, switching between electric, hybrid and engine drive, depending which is most efficient for the particular drive.
A sibling to the Jazz, but with added battery power, the HR-V is a feisty, fun and practical family car. It accelerates from rest to 62mph in 10.6 seconds, but thanks to tweaks to the gearing ratios, feels quicker. The top speed is 106mph.
The range starts at £26,960 for the well-stocked entry-level Elegance trim. I was driving the mid-level Advance, which rises to £29,220 with more speakers and USB ports, a leather heated steering wheel, interior tweaks, tilting door mirrors for reversing, and a hands-free tailgate you can activate with your foot if you have hands full of shopping.
The top-of-the-range Advance Style costs from £31,660 and adds extras such as premium audio, a two-tone roof and mirrors, plus wireless charging.
It’s an engaging drive with a high seating position plus a modern interior featuring an uncluttered dashboard. It all feels premium-quality.
There are three driving modes: eco, normal and the more engaging sport. The ‘one pedal driving’ option allows you to reduce the amount of braking necessary, as taking your foot off the accelerator slows you down while boosting the charge you generate.
The result is a good 52.3mpg average with CO2 emissions of 122g/km. Honda reckons a 460- mile full tank range is enough to go from London to Edinburgh.
Despite its coupe-like styling, the rear feels particularly spacious for those in the back.
And the seats there are cleverly flexible to allow more load-lugging space folded down, but also can be folded up – like cinema seats, for high pieces of luggage.
Foot and knee space in the back has increased by 35mm compared to the previous generation HR-V.
First deliveries will be early in the New Year.
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