Test-Driving The 2025 Honda HR-V Hybrid
HONDA HR-V Hybrid
At the time of writing, Honda sells four SUVs in Britain while America gets six.
Britons, pop onto Honda's website and you'll see the ZR-V but if you navigate to the American site, you'll find the HR-V, which is identical to the UK ZR-V. It's all a bit confusing.
Honda HR-V Price And Tech
Sorry, America. But your HR-V (UK ZR-V) looks like a surprised Oranda Goldfish. Looks aside, however, it's not a bad car.
Then there's the e:Ny1, which Honda is renaming because Chinese customers can't pronounce it, the CR-V, a brilliant all-rounder, and finally, the HR-V, a hybrid version of the all-electric e:Ny1. Are you still with me?
Honda HR-v
The HR-V undercuts all of its siblings because of its £32,250 price tag. Standard tech includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, Honda Connect with nav, connected remote services (My Honda+), a digital gauge cluster, 18-inch alloys, a rear-view camera, keyless entry and privacy glass.
It also has Honda's cool Magic Seats, which allows the rear seat bases to be lifted up so larger items can be stowed behind the front seats. I didn't use it, but it's there.
Honda HR-V Design And Interior
It's much prettier than its electrified e:Ny1 sibling, and although interiors are similar, Honda's given the HR-V a 9-inch touchscreen and there are physical buttons—praise be!
I also liked its two-tone paint scheme and cabin layout. And the touchscreen, although not the quickest, wasn't overly complicated either.
There was also plenty of head and legroom up front, and the steering wheel offered plenty of reach, but backseat passengers north of six feet struggled for space because of the HR-V's rakish roofline.
Honda HR-V
During the week, I had to whisk my dog to an emergency vet appointment, and thankfully, the HR-V's boot features an easy-clean rubber mat.
However, the fabric parcel shelf is held in place by two arms which protrude into the boot, meaning my dog struggled to move; we weren't travelling far, but I would think twice about the HR-V if you have a medium-sized dog.
Honda HR-V Performance And Economy
Being a hybrid, the HR-V consistently returned a 51.3 mpg average with me at the helm, or 36 mpg if I was overzealous with the throttle. This said the HR-V offers little thrill—as the 129 bhp and 187 lb ft figures suggest.
Mash the throttle and the e-CVT gearbox groans loudly, disturbing any cabin serenity, as the 1.5-litre attempts to shove its 1,380kg mass. I know it's a hybrid and not a hot hatch, but the Nissan Qashqai e-Power returns similar economy figures, is quieter, costs nearly the same, and is Hussain Bolt in comparison.
Honda HR-V Verdict
The HR-V oozes quirk, is reasonably priced, and comfortable and offers heaps of standard tech. It also returns fantastic efficiency and is quiet on long motorway journeys.
Honda HR-V
Sadly, the e-CVT is just too loud under acceleration, it's also slow and there isn't enough room in the rear for taller passengers. The Honda HR-V offers lots for its price, but the Nissan Qashqai e-Power does everything better and is similarly priced.
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