Used Honda HR-V (2015-2021) Review

Whether you’re a trendy young city slicker or a family wanting a versatile and reliable little SUV, the Honda HR-V is a very good choice. It’s more spacious than rivals like the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, while also being better to drive.

There are downsides. Its ride will shake out your fillings - particularly on models with big alloy wheels - and the standard engines are a little underpowered. Not everyone will get on with the CVT automatic gearbox, either. Our biggest criticism is the abysmal infotainment system, but that needn’t be a deal-breaker.

If it’s within budget, we’d recommend the HR-V Sport. Its turbocharged engine has the grunt that’s missing from the standard petrol (and even the diesel), while its red interior injects a bit of much-needed brashness.

If you’re not fussed about performance, the SE model will have all the kit most buyers will need. Things like a reversing camera, extra safety kit and dual climate control are all desirable features. If you’d prefer something a bit more luxurious, look for a top-spec EX with its leather seats and a panoramic sunroof.

If the HR-V isn’t the car for you, there’s no shortage of very good alternatives. The Vauxhall Mokka X sells in big numbers and represents decent value for money, while the Hyundai Kona and Kia Stonic both come with long warranties and loads of kit. Nissan’s Juke is a fashionable choice, as is the SEAT Arona. The latest Ford Puma’s practical and great to drive (if a bit pricey), while the Suzuki Vitara makes for a dependable used purchase. You could also look at the Mazda CX-3, Citroen C3 Aircross, Peugeot 2008… you get the idea.

While the HR-V’s cabin might look a little bland, it’s certainly well made. You’ll find a few flimsy plastics here and there, but generally it’s better finished than most of its rivals. There are shiny gloss-black inserts on the dash, while a leather steering wheel and gear knob on all but the cheapest models add a touch of class.

Although there aren’t many buttons and switches inside the HR-V, those that are there feel good to use. As much as using a switch to open a window can feel good.

Honda cabins generally take abuse very well and, even with the earliest HR-V models now several years old, they rarely show signs of excessive wear and tear. It’s a popular car with families thanks to its impressive versatility, but you needn’t be too worried about a neglected interior showing its age.

The infotainment is one feature in the HR-V which dates it terribly. The cheapest S models come with a small screen flanked with buttons and a CD player. This isn’t actually that offensive if you’re not fussed about having a navigation system. It comes with Bluetooth connectivity and USB inputs, and there’s even an auxiliary input.

Higher-spec models come with a seven-inch media system with Garmin sat-nav. It’s a bit rubbish, frankly. It’s touchscreen-only (no rotary controller here), with slow reactions to inputs and Windows 95 graphics. You can’t even swerve some of its clunkier functions by connecting your phone - Apple CarPlay or Android Auto haven’t even been offered as options.

If you want a slick media system, you’d be better looking at the Volkswagen T-Cross.

What the HR-V lacks in snazzy infotainment, it makes up for in versatility. It might be a small crossover to rival the Nissan Juke, but it’s big enough to use as your main family car.

We’ll start with the boot. There’s a whopping 480 litres of luggage space back there, which is more than a Nissan Qashqai. It’s not quite as big as the huge CR-V, but it’s not far off.

The boot has a nice, wide opening, which means access is easy - helped by a false floor on all but the entry-level S model. Not only is this useful for hiding things from prying eyes, but it also reduces the amount of lip for lifting things over. Annoyingly, you won’t find a spare wheel underneath the boot floor. Instead, there’s a tyre repair kit.

All trim levels get Honda’s fancy Magic Seat feature. This allows you to flip and fold the rear bench - whether you want to drop it and create a flat floor or lift the base of the seats to carry tall items in the footwell.

If you wish to carry people in the rear seats, you’ll be pleased to read that the HR-V can do that too. The sweeping rear roofline does hinder headroom, unfortunately, particularly for taller adults. There’s a decent amount of legroom, though. You can squeeze a third individual in the middle seat if you really must but, like most cars of this size, it’s not recommended unless you really have to.

All models get Isofix points on the outer rear seats, so you can easily fit child seats - and access is pretty good, thanks to the HR-V’s highness compared to low-down hatchbacks.

Up front, the HR-V is a satisfyingly spacious car. There’s loads of headroom and you won’t find yourself clashing arms with your co-driver. You’ll find enough storage for your bits and bobs, including generous-enough door pockets and large cup holders in the centre console.

The petrol engine is by far the most popular. That’s good news as it’ll suit the majority of buyers best, although the standard unit isn’t the most eager of engines. It’s a naturally-aspirated engine, which means there isn’t a turbocharger to help performance. As such, peak torque is reached at 4600rpm. In plain English, you’ll have to work it very hard to actually get anywhere.

The turbocharged engine used in the HR-V Sport is much better. It packs 182PS, with peak torque coming in below 2000rpm - so it’ll pull from very low down and doesn’t require working anywhere near as hard. The Sport actually feels amusingly quick for an otherwise fairly staid crossover from Honda.

Both petrol engines are available with a manual or automatic gearbox. If you’re a fan of changing gear yourself, you’ll like the six-speed manual transmission - it feels superbly direct to use, bettered only by the Mazda CX-30 in the small crossover class.

The diesel transmission is a 1.6-litre unit which does the job perfectly well, particularly if you cover lots of miles. With 120PS, it’s not the quickest motor, but a useful amount of torque means it feels more eager from a standstill than the entry-level petrol.

It’s a shame that you can’t get the turbocharged petrol engine with models other than the Sport. This is the most refined unit - its extra grunt meaning you don’t have to rag it everywhere, which translates to a more relaxed drive. The Sport model’s firmer suspension and big wheels take away some of that extra comfort, while there’s quite a considerable amount of road noise generated by the big standard-fit wheels.

Both of the petrols are offered with a CVT automatic transmission, which is favoured for its reliability and efficiency. It’s not a great choice for refinement, though, making an audible din as the revs flare during acceleration. Dual-clutch automatic transmissions used in alternatives like the Volkswagen T-Cross are better for refinement levels.

The diesel is typically clattery in its approach, and its relative lack of power means you’ll have to work it pretty hard to build speed. Still, it settles down into a quiet enough cruise.

On the plus side, no matter which engine you opt for, you won’t notice much in the way of vibration as a standstill. Wind noise is pretty well hushed, too, despite the HR-V’s upright stance compared to a small hatchback.

There’s a host of safety equipment available on the HR-V - but not all of it is included as standard across the range.

Highlights on the basic S model includes a host of airbags (driver, passenger, front side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags… you get the idea), Isofix child seat mounting points and hill-start assist, taking the skill out of hill starts. Its City-Brake Active System can apply the brakes to prevent a crash at low speeds.

For the ultimate in crash prevention tech, you’ll need an SE model or above. This adds a Forward Collision Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition System, Intelligent Speed Limiter and Lane Departure Warning. None of these make a huge difference, but you might be very thankful you had them one day…

When Euro NCAP crash tested the Honda HR-V in 2015, it was awarded a maximum five-star safety rating. It achieved an 86% rating for adult occupants, 79% for children, 72% for pedestrian protection and 71% for its safety assist features.

The cheapest Honda HR-V to insure the 1.5 i-VTEC S, which is in insurance group 19. The most expensive is the Sport model, which falls into group 27.

That’s actually quite high compared to rivals. The Suzuki Vitara falls between insurance groups 11 and 21, while the Nissan Juke ranges from 11 to 20. The Honda HR-V shouldn’t be particularly expensive to insure, but we’d recommend shopping around for a few quotes - particularly if you’re an inexperienced driver.

Honda doesn’t sell a hybrid or electric HR-V, so you’re looking at a flat rate of £150 a year in tax after the first year. That’s for cars registered since 1 April 2017. Earlier HR-V models will be taxed based on their emissions, so a pre-2017 diesel could cost as little as £20 a year in tax, while petrol models will set you back around £130 depending on specification and gearbox.

The cheapest S model covers the basics - things like 16-inch alloy wheels, fabric seats, cruise control and climate control. It comes with a CD player (remember those?) with an auxiliary jack, the clever magic seats and an electric parking brake.

Unless you want a particularly basic HR-V, we’d suggest looking for an SE model. This adds 17-inch alloys, front and rear parking sensors and even a reversing camera. Leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob is a nice touch, while the seven-inch navigation system is a desirable feature.

The sporty, er, Sport looks the part - with 18-inch black alloy wheels, a black exterior highlights, and twin exhaust pipes. It comes with LED headlights, performance suspension and dark chrome exterior door handles. Inside, you’ll find part-leather seats and sports pedals.

Topping the range is the EX model, also with 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, an opening panoramic sunroof and roof rails. Leather seats (heated in the front) add a touch of luxury.