Our Fleet Test Drive: Honda HR-V - 7th report
Date:
25 February 2016
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Author: Hugh Hunston
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Why we're running it: | To see if Honda is finally returning to form and can succeed in an increasingly competitive area of the market | Equipment: | 8 airbags, 17in alloys. keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth, auto lights and wipers, panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, leather interior, front and rear parking sensors, rear parking camera | Options: | Modern Steel metallic paint (£525) |
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Several return runs to South Wales from Oxfordshire have revealed that while the HR-V's cabin provides a civilised driving environment, it has shortcomings.
The driving position is 10cm above that of its Civic stablemate, which gives a useful higher sight line in all conditions. But long-distance comfort is compromised by no adjustable lumbar support, which I would trade for the EX specification's luxurious front leather-seat heaters.
In gloomy weather the almost full-length panoramic glass sunroof (see picture) brightens up long-haul journeys and both the sliding glazed section and fabric blind involve easy button-flicking operation.
But Honda's comprehensive Connect infotainment system remains functionally challenging, with several key operations requiring distracting touchscreen manipulation that is not intuitive.
Our HR-V attracts a 24% fleet factor, while 1.6-litre diesel-engined versions take 66% of business sales. However, the adaptable and economical compact SUV crossover is conspicuously absent from Motability lists. This anomaly on a vehicle with an impressively flexible interior is due to high global demand, with UK retail customers at the front of the queue. That means the Motability channel is currently unnecessary.
Honda HR-V 1.6i-DTEC EX
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Mileage 5914 |
P11D price £26,000 |
Forecast/actual cost per mile 53.8p/54.6p |
Our average consumption 53.2mpg |
Official combined consumption 68.9mpg |
Verdict
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- Commanding driving position and sunroof that brightens up dreary long trips
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- Lack of lumbar support adjustment is a pain in the back
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