Not that many people will remember, but the Honda HR-V actually launched in 1999. Extra petrolhead marks if you knew that! In some respects, it could be considered to be ahead of its time – the small SUV / crossover market, having yet to explode as it has done in the last 4 or 5 years. Despite it is long history, this kind of car has been lacking from the Honda line up for some years and now they look as if they are late to the party when nothing could be further from the truth.
Despite this, rival manufacturers have enjoyed considerable success with the compact cross over, so it is not surprising to see Honda making a new push into the sector with the HR-V. It follows a well-trodden path being based on a small hatchback model (the new Honda Jazz), using a range of fairly small diesel and petrol engines and driving just the front wheels, in spite the off road looks and height. Uniquely in this sector, Honda offers not only standard manual and automatic transmissions, but CVT (Constantly Variable Transmission) as well. CVT remains surprisingly popular in the European markets, although it is hard to fall in love with the slight monotonous drone, but it is undoubtedly very smooth, which must account for its popularity.
On the outside, it is unmistakably modern Honda – nicely styled with subtle design touches, which mercifully seems to have avoided the less-than-successful styling seen on the latest CR-X models. Where Honda has always excelled is in engine design. Honda have been plugging away at designing evermore efficient and responsive VTEC engines, originally just petrol units but now available in diesel form too. As a piece of engineering excellence, VTEC is without parallel. It has now been used for more than 20 years and featured in everything from a small family hatchbacks all the way through to the thoroughbred NSX sports car. Despite the intricate design and multiple moving parts, the variable valve timing units have not suffered a single failure – a remarkable achievement given the millions of cars using the technology.
Inside, it is again, typical Honda, with well laid out and ergonomic design and high-quality materials. It is not, it must be said, the cutting edge of design, but Honda know their markets well and this is reflected in the HR-V. Performance and handling are not going to set the world on fire either. The starting point for this car (the chassis from a Honda Jazz) is perfectly acceptable without being exceptional. But once again, Honda know their customers and it is hard to see the HR-V being thrown aggressively into corners or doing much time on track.
The biggest issue for Honda is being noticed. There is stiff competition from Mazda (CX-3), Renault (Captur) and Peugeot (2008), to name but 3. This is an increasingly popular and competitive sector. Although you would not regret buying the HR-V, it is fine car, you may just find yourself wondering what if…

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