Honda HR-V, presentation and road test in Lisbon

In 1999 Honda launched a unique-looking model in a segment that was unknown and sparsely populated at the time: the Honda HR-V and the SUV segment. Today things have changed, and almost every brand has its own SUV, and Honda has created a new generation of the HR-V that arrives after a pause but with compelling arguments.

New design, more practicality, more equipment and more safety for a model on which Honda has placed high expectations. According to the Japanese brand, the HR-V combines the design of a coupé, the versatility of an MPV and the look of an SUV, all powered by a new 130 CV petrol engine and the punchy 120 CV diesel (debuted in other models of the brand). It reaches dealerships in September, but we have already tested it in Lisbon.

Exterior design with personality and a very spacious, practical interior

The exterior look of the Honda HR-V is not that of the typical SUV; Honda always opts for personality when designing its models, and the HR-V is once again a clear example. According to the brand, the coupé line has been blended with the SUV look on the outside.

When we look at it from the front, the robustness and height typical of an SUV are evident, while in the side profile the rear door handles can be seen hidden in the door frame to emphasise the coupé design and the descending line of the windows.

The front headlights can feature Full-LED technology depending on the trim level, while the daytime running lights are LED as standard. Another characteristic SUV detail is the large, generous wheel arches.

Inside is where it surprises with versatility and space. As soon as we sit behind the wheel, we find an elevated driving position, with good adjustment, simple but with everything within reach. A nice detail is the raised centre console, with a small gear lever placed in an ideal position and with a very well-judged feel.

The dashboard has hard plastics in its upper part, although in the areas where you “touch” most easily there are soft, pleasant-to-the-touch plastics, as well as the fabric lining of the doors, which adds quality to the finish.

The radio/navigation screen is touch-sensitive, as are the climate control buttons, giving a cutting-edge touch to the whole and controls that are easy to use and intuitive.

The rear seats stand out for their space and versatility thanks to the “Honda Magic Seats” system, which allows several configurations when folding the rear seats to make the most of the interior space, equipment more typical of an MPV than of an SUV.

Finally, the boot has a capacity of 470 litres (a very good figure for an SUV), features a false floor and regular dimensions, making all the space very usable.

Under the bonnet: debuting the 130 CV 1.5 i-VTEC engine

This mid-size SUV uses the new 1.5 i-VTEC petrol engine, which delivers 130 CV and can be paired with a CVT automatic gearbox. The new powertrain offers modest but more than sufficient performance; specifically, it produces 155 Nm of torque and its consumption stands at 5.2 litres per 100 km.

The other engine available in the new HR-V is the well-known and punchy 1.6 i-DTEC diesel, which delivers 120 CV, with highlights such as 300 Nm of torque and a low consumption of 4 litres per 100 km.

Worth noting is the new CVT gearbox paired with the petrol engine, which debuts two systems: hill descent control and overtaking control. The first reduces gears when it detects a descent or braking before a bend to help hold the car back. The second focuses on overtaking manoeuvres, especially when we accelerate to pass and for any reason abort the manoeuvre; the system then kicks in, keeping the engine revving so that the overtake can be resumed immediately.