The Honda HR-V Hybrid, now in its third generation, was introduced in 2021. A facelifted version was unveiled on 14 March 2024, bringing a number of exterior styling tweaks. Technical updates focus on revised energy-management software and new safety features, including enhancements to the Honda Sensing safety system.

The Exterior

Honda’s latest design language is well proportioned, simple, and quietly stylish—the kind of design that should age well. Thumbs up.

The HR-V looks almost identical to the battery-electric eNy1. That’s because it effectively is; both models are based on a shared, all-in-one platform.

In the UK, the HR-V is offered in four trim levels, with entry-level prices starting at £32,250 at the time of writing and rising to £38,825 for the top-spec model.

The Interior

Inside, the cabin is largely identical to the e:Ny1, although the dashboard layout differs. You get a 9.0-inch infotainment screen, and a digital driver’s display.

Most of the materials used are hard plastics, even on the upper dashboard, with soft-touch materials placed strategically at key contact points.

However, the solid build quality helps elevate the perceived quality, which feels reassuring overall. The switchgear also feels robust and satisfying to use. Physical heating dials in 2025? Why not.

For a compact SUV, the HR-V feels spacious up front and offers decent rear knee room. The trade-off is a slightly shallow boot, which is a compromise but not a deal breaker.

The rear bench seats split and fold flat and are ISOFIX compliant. And yes, the HR-V is IKEA-proof: with the rear seats up, boot capacity is 319 litres, expanding to 1,289 litres with the rear split seats folded flat.

The Infotainment System

Simple, straightforward, and functional—it gets the job done. While there are more impressive native systems out there with better graphics and a stronger “wow” factor, Honda’s approach prioritises simplicity over complexity.

Perhaps Honda deliberately kept things simple, and honestly, it works well enough. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard.

Equipment levels are generous. Even the entry-level trim includes heated seats, which in my book still feels like a luxury.

Other highlights include Honda’s unique Magic Seats, Honda Sensing, front and rear parking sensors, privacy glass, and keyless entry—features often reserved for higher-end trims.

The Advance trim tested here adds a power tailgate, adaptive headlights, and a heated leather steering wheel. Honda is clearly looking after its customers.

The Drive

The HR-V feels solid, stable, and well planted, helped in part by the standard 18-inch alloy wheels. It’s reasonably enjoyable to drive, with predictable handling, good steering feedback, and a comfortable ride over most road surfaces.

Powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine and two small electric motors, the HR-V produces a total system output of 131bhp and 253Nm of torque.

The hybrid drivetrain offers three driving modes. In this case, I found myself using Sport mode at all times, as it feels like the true “normal” setting. Doing so provides full access to the available hybrid drivetrain power, it’s much more responsive and it didn’t affect fuel economy.

Under normal everyday driving, it’s mostly quiet and refined. Push harder, and the engine note becomes a dull, audible drone, largely due to the CVT transmission.

That said, this is typical of CVTs, and most drivers won’t push the car like motoring journalists, who often expect everything to handle as if it’s on rails. But I just feel the HR-V could do with a bit more power.

Efficiency

I easily achieved over 50mpg on motorway journeys, while shorter urban and errand-run trips returned up to 60mpg. As with most hybrids, the battery is relatively small, providing around 1.5 miles of pure electric driving before it begins self-charging—exactly in line with my experience.

EV mode is limited to short bursts, operating at crawl speeds of around 20mph and occasionally when coasting downhill at about 40mph. You’ll rarely notice when the hybrid system switches from electric to petrol, as the transition is impressively seamless.

Charging is achieved through braking and coasting, or via steering-wheel-mounted paddles that allow the driver to adjust regenerative braking intensity. These paddles feel similar to gear-shift paddles in operation.

Alternatively, sifting the gear selector to B-mode increases regenerative braking further, delivering an EV-style one-pedal driving experience that helps recover residual kinetic energy. The batteries recharge constantly and quickly, ensuring you never run out of charge.

Epilogue

The Honda HR-V Hybrid is a solid and competent compact SUV. It’s reasonably practical, highly efficient, and reasonably engaging to drive. Personally speaking, it could benefit from a power boost, but nevertheless, this is a Honda hybrid—meaning it’s solidly engineered to be dependable and unlikely to let you down.