The Honda HR-V eHev: As we slowly come to terms with climate change, Honda have made a car that might just help.
The first thing I notice about the HR-V is the seats. Good design has always been associated with Honda and this sporty subcompact SUV is no different. Internally there is a considered layout and there’s colour. There’s some welcoming cream leather effect. This is nicely contrasted with hardwearing black fabric which overall makes a pleasing environment to while away time spent in the Isle of Wight traffic jams. The dashboard is user-friendly and the push button start is easy to operate. It’s an automatic although there are paddleshifts either side of the steering wheel. It’s not a dull black run of the mill interior as chosen by numerous manufacturers these days. No, this is something special. I would go as far as saying that from a design perspective this is my favourite vehicle currently on the roads.
The fact that this is not a mild hybrid but a full hybrid, means that it is possible to run on fully electric power, if required, meaning that it is more environmentally friendly but also much more efficient. And you don’t have to suffer as a result — if you’re careful it will cover 459 miles on a full tank. In short I am impressed. This is the joy of hybrid motoring where sensible driving is rewarded.
Driving through the New Forest I spy an opportunity to overtake a Nissan Qashqai carrying four bicycles on its roof. The driver doesn’t like it and accelerates to try and prevent me but the Honda is so gutsy it makes light work of the opportunity and very safely manoeuvres, leaving him in the rear view mirror. The ride height and the responsive hybrid technology are a fantastic combination. It is a joy to throw around bends and tight corners. There are some excellent windy back lanes to Lee-on-the-Solent and sometimes they can be free of traffic such as on the occasion I travel down it with the Honda. It’s a nice cut through to get to Gosport for my eye test. Pressing the accelerator to the floor does create a bit of a noisy response and it’s quick, reminding me of the excellent Jaguar XE that I tested. On occasions when there is less demanding driving, the automatic box can be criticised for being indecisive but I forgive it.
In the old days it was necessary for the driver to push a button to engage EV mode. Not any longer. The Honda does it automatically. All can all be done in EV mode without any thought from the driver. It works a treat. As we drive in EV mode you can’t avoid feeling happy for the pedestrians whose air is that little bit less polluted because of our Honda.
I have long championed self-charging hybrids for their ease of use and environmental credentials, but Honda has taken them to another level. Overall the HR-V is a slick, understated operator, which is my type of vehicle.
Tim Saunders is a travel writer and photographer regularly contributing to publications with a combined audience exceeding 100,000 readers. You can read more from Tim on his website travelwriter.biz and www.testdrives.biz.
Add a comment