(Pocket-lint) - Say good day to the third-generation Honda HR-V. So what's so particular about this child crossover SUV? Properly, it is now known as the e:HEV, that means it is received a correct hybrid powertrain.
Which means, with out the faff of ever plugging it in to cost, you may get the advantages of an electrical motor powering the car alongside - effectively, a few of the time. That is uncommon in a automobile at this finish of the market, serving to smoothness on the one hand, however effectivity on the opposite.
However does that make the Honda HR-V e:HEV really feel as superior as its actually trendy seems counsel, or is it extra midway home between combustion and all-electric with out the true all-in advantages of both right here?
Design
It was again in 2016 after we reviewed the second-generation HR-V, and what a distinction the five-or-so years since has meant for the third-generation mannequin. The HR-V in 2022 simply seems a lot extra trendy and regarded, an actual up to date Japanese imaginative and prescient of a contemporary crossover SUV. It is solely actually from a aspect view that there is a lot similarity to the outdated mannequin.
It is actually this visible aptitude that can assist set the HR-V other than lots of its similar-priced opponents - Toyota Yaris Cross as a hybrid rival springing straight to thoughts; the Mazda MX-30 having some attraction as a short-distance all-electric runner - with its horizontal grille traces slicing by the entrance, framing these squinted headlights; whereas the rear echoes the horizontal theme, with a full-length lightbar trying the half.
Little particulars additional the up to date look: the rear doorhandles are tucked from view, for instance, opening greater up the physique body from the rear window intersection, not like the extra conventional handles on the entrance pair of doorways; the way in which the headlights are sunken into the physique so as to add further pop too; whereas the eye-catching five-spoke alloy wheels that our evaluate automobile is using upon assist its handsome attraction.
Inside
Open the driving force door and it is a medley of relative modernity inside too. To not the posh extent of, say, an Audi, however keep your expectations at this worth level and we really feel Honda's struck a good stability.
Key factors are that the seats are comfy, there's ample room each entrance and rear - an insignificant sounding 4cm of knee room has been added to the rear seats for this technology, however this makes all of the distinction - and the boot provides 316-litres of house (which is not precisely large by any means).
The gearstick is a reasonably typical type for an computerized automobile, utilizing up a good wedge of house, but it surely's simple to make use of and there is a drive mode adjustment toggle close by too.
That is a clue as to Honda's tackle the HR-V's inside's extra traditional hands-on strategy with its end, utilising bodily buttons and dials moderately than going ultra-modern with contact panels in all places. We're simply wonderful with that as hitting the heated seat button or twisting the aircon dial brings fast outcomes - not one of the limitless digging you must do in sure different trendy automobiles (such because the VW ID3).
Tech
There is a 9-inch show mounted on the sprint too, bringing the HR-V's infotainment system into a much more up-to-date state than Honda's outgoing system too. That is a sigh of aid, as Honda has been actually fairly behind on this division within the not too distant previous.
As we stated above, the flexibility to make fast changes with buttons and dials is welcome, however this 9-inch panel is touchscreen and feels intuitive to faucet and choose your required space. Whether or not navigation, music through tuner/Bluetooth, or apps through a smartphone connection - it is all right here.
We used Android Auto a lot of the time, plugging into one of many pair of USB ports beneath the sprint, as there is not any wi-fi model out there - which is a little bit of a disgrace. Nonetheless, being able to plug your cellphone in (Apple CarPlay can be out there) makes utilizing all of your favourites a breeze.
Drive
So the third-gen HR-V is clearly a step-up in lots of regards in comparison with its predecessor. The identical might be stated of its drive type, too, albeit that must be taken with a pinch of salt actually. The e:HEV's use of a hybrid powertrain brings each advantages and downfalls.
Below the hood the HR-V e:HEV has a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which more often than not acts as a generator for the battery, which then powers the motor. Therefore it being a real hybrid powertrain.
That has some massive advantages to effectivity: we have been simply attaining roughly 50mpg in blended situations driving with out even making an attempt. The electrical motor additionally means easy acceleration from standing and that may actually assist the automobile really feel that bit extra futuristic and effectively thought-out.
Nonetheless, on this setup, which delivers simply 106bph of energy, it shortly finds its limits: the HR-V e:HEV is not quick, if you happen to push it too onerous it's going to bypass the electrical motor, handing over to the engine, which is whiney, overstretched, a bit like a lactic acid explosion the place you are still making an attempt to go all-out.
And that is the purpose the place the HR-V e:HEV leaves us feeling slightly perplexed. Profitable as it may be for metropolis driving, get to a motorway sliproad and it will be a little bit of a battle to ramp on top of things, very like driving a 1-litre Ford Fiesta. That engine will get all shouty and bombastic, which is simply irksome - particularly as it is so at odds with the preliminary calm.
Given its a £26,000 automobile on the entry level within the UK, the HR-V is knocking on the door of comparable hybrid rivals that appear extra attuned - the Toyota Yaris Cross - and all-electric choices - the Mazda MX-30 - the latter format which can by no means have that 'handover' or noise problem (besides, within the HR-V's defence, will not get practically as far on a single 'tank').
There are drive modes out there - Regular, Eco, Sport - however there's actually not an excessive amount of distinction between them. It is simply not that type of automobile, actually, which we're completely wonderful with, however extra of the calm and fewer of the ear-thrashing please.
In that very same approach that the Toyoya Prius felt like a stroke of genius at its conception (as soon as we received over its visible type), its relevance slowly light as different applied sciences superior. The HR-V's e:HEV answer feels prefer it's sat at a crossroads too: the intersection between combustion and all-electric, however minus any actual main advantage of going one or different.
Sure, the smoothness in metropolis driving is gorgeous, the financial system is especially nice (circa 50mpg in our fingers), and that'll be sufficient to promote this child crossover SUV to many. However we really feel as if it is a automobile considerably on the fence - by way of its drive strategy - with its tremendous up to date look simply not fairly matching the complete package deal.
The third-generation HR-V is a transparent step ahead in lots of departments, however at this asking worth, and with powertrain options and automobile tech shifting at such a bounding tempo, we will not assist surprise if it's going to simply find yourself considerably caught at a proverbial crossroads.
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