2025 Honda HR-V overview | CarExpert

Honda’s smallest SUV is a singular selection in Australia’s trendy automotive market.

Obtainable in solely three variants – one petrol, two hybrid – it stays a smart different to one thing just a little larger like Honda’s personal ZR-V, and like that mannequin it has the benefit of being out there with a refined hybrid powertrain.

It’s additionally well-built and well-presented, even when quite a lot of the nicer stuff isn’t out there on the very backside of the vary.

If you would like most of that although, the least you’ll pay is $39,900 drive-away for the keys to the Honda HR-V e:HEV X on check right here.

This mannequin variant is the latest addition to the front-wheel drive HR-V vary and solely arrived in October final yr, bridging the hole between the non-hybrid entry-level Vi X and the extra premiium e:HEV L flagship to supply a extra reasonable different to among the different phase heavy-hitters.

WATCH: Paul’s video overview of the 2022 Honda HR-V e:HEV L

One such mannequin is the Toyota Yaris Cross. Toyota’s smallest SUV is accessible in Australia with solely a hybrid powertrain, and it’s classed in a smaller automobile class to the HR-V on the VFACTS gross sales charts (gentle SUV), so it prices a lot much less.

Even so, it discovered 8206 houses final yr, whereas the HR-V managed simply 3350. For comparability, the Hyundai Kona – additionally out there as a hybrid – outsold each vehicles in 2024 with 17,374 deliveries.

Then there’s the Subaru Crosstrek, which is Subaru’s smallest SUV and in addition out there with a hybrid powertrain. It additionally bought nicely with 11,545 deliveries all through 2024, leaving quite a lot of floor to make up for the endearing Honda.

Does the HR-V deserve extra consideration, particularly in hybrid type, or is it simply not what consumers are after?

How does the Honda HR-V examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Honda HR-V towards equally sized automobiles.

Honda

HR-V

How a lot does the Honda HR-V value?

At $39,900 drive-away, the HR-V appears expensive – particularly when you think about among the competitors.

The Yaris Cross is hybrid-only and prices as little as $30,900 earlier than on-roads, whereas the most affordable Hyundai Hybrid is priced at $36,500 earlier than on-roads – although the latter will doubtless work out to be roughly the identical as this HR-V as soon as it’s in your driveway.

For $38,590 earlier than on-road prices you could possibly decide up the most affordable Crosstrek Hybrid, although once more that’ll find yourself costing greater than the HR-V.

Given the e:HEV X is technically the bottom-spec hybrid HR-V, its commonplace gear listing might not seem to justify the almost $40,000 price ticket – however we’ll get into that beneath.

To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument

What’s the Honda HR-V like on the within?

Plain and easy, however should you’re accustomed to Honda you’ll really feel proper at residence.

There are similarities between the inside of the HR-V and the ZR-V/Civic pair, although it’s understandably way more stripped-back on this cheaper mannequin.

You’ll due to this fact discover extra plain surfaces and easy designs, and we like that right here. It’s a lot much less intimidating than in lots of different new vehicles and also you’ll shortly determine the place every little thing is and what it does, plus you get the bonus of Honda’s distinctive construct high quality and satisfying, tactile buttons.

Headlining the entrance of the cabin is the 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, which could sound comparatively small on paper however doesn’t look that compact from behind the wheel.

It’s easy in presentation but has crisp decision, whereas additionally responding constantly to inputs each by way of contact and when utilizing the handful of bodily buttons on the right-hand bezel.

There could also be a touch of aftermarket head unit right here, however we are able to respect Honda’s easy strategy when all of it works reliably.

As a bonus you get wi-fi smartphone mirroring, which had no points with throughout our week with the automotive.

A great thing about the HR-V line-up is the truth that whereas the e:HEV X is a mid-range mannequin, consumers of the range-opening Vi X hardly miss out on any of the important thing options discovered all through its cabin – past the hybrid powertrain absent below the bonnet.

Equally, consumers of this automotive received’t go begging in comparison with the e:HEV L. The small value distinction between the 2 e:HEV fashions mirror that, however in fact there are some creature comforts you don’t get elsewhere, like added aspect mirror performance, an influence tailgate and rain-sensing wipers.

One of many methods that’s constant throughout the vary is local weather management, discovered beneath the infotainment show. As is typical of Honda it’s fully bodily, comprised of a easy mixture of dials and buttons, whereas the vents themselves are simply managed by separated particular person dials.

All of the settings are proven on the small built-in display screen, and it’s straightforward to work with on the transfer. The dials rotate with a pointy, notchy motion – extremely satisfying to work together with.

In entrance of the driving force is a properly sized, leather-wrapped steering wheel. It’s not unexpectedly primary, however is fully applicable for the HR-V, and once more it’s the identical as what you’ll discover throughout the remainder of the vary.

The one criticism is that its spokes are completed in gloss black plastic, together with the buttons on both aspect. After some time behind the wheel, fingerprints and smudges will turn into painfully obvious.

On the notice of supplies, the wheel’s centre pad can be completed in a scratchy textured plastic, which stands out from the cabin’s different flat surfaces. It’s a minor factor, however doesn’t match fairly as nicely with the remainder of the inside.

It’s nonetheless reassuring that the buttons on the wheel are all straightforward to make use of given their clear markings. Even when one thing isn’t instantly apparent, there’s no hurt achieved by poking at a number of to see what pops up.

Most of that shall be seen on the instrument cluster forward, which raises a number of factors throughout the context of each the HR-V’s value level and the remainder of Honda’s catalogue.

The very first thing you’ll discover about it’s how easy it’s in look. That’s partly as a result of Honda’s graphics are inherently minimalistic, however it additionally has rather a lot to do with the very fact it’s not fully digital.

The left gauge and centre parts are each digital, which lets you scroll via completely different menus to seek out all of the driving-related data tucked away. We don’t thoughts that, however it’s the very fact the speedometer on the proper remains to be analogue that’s attention-grabbing to us.

Given I’m used to older vehicles, I’m a fan of analogue gauges, so it’s by no means a criticism in cheaper vehicles that fall below the $30,000 mark.

The issue is the HR-V begins at $34,900 drive-away. At that value we are able to nearly forgive a cluster that’s solely partly digital, however when you begin pushing $40,000 as with the HR-V e:HEVs, it turns into considerably disappointing.

A couple of years in the past this could’ve been completely high quality, particularly on the backside of the vary. Now, our tester prices simply $300 lower than the bottom ZR-V – which incorporates a 10.2-inch totally digital instrument cluster.

We nonetheless suppose it seems good and it’s completely practical, so we are able to perceive why individuals may not thoughts.

Transferring additional down, you’ll discover the massive conventional gear selector surrounded by extra gloss black plastic. Fortuitously, there aren’t any buttons to press on this space, however we anticipate mud will start to gather and scratches will present after a number of months of each day driving.

Following the 2 silver streaks backwards brings you to the centre console, completed in exhausting plastic. Right here you’ll discover two giant cupholders and a small array of controls for drive mode, hill descent management, parking brake, and auto-hold.

Sadly, the exhausting plastic is just about the identical as on the steering wheel, however given it’s principally out of the driving force’s line of sight we don’t suppose it’s as massive of a deal right here. We a minimum of like how easy every little thing is on this space, and none of those controls brought about any hiccups.

Storage up entrance isn’t excellent, however it does the job. There are these cupholders, in addition to an honest centre storage field and two cubbies forward of the gear selector.

Moreover, there are bottle holders within the doorways and a typical passenger-side glovebox, in addition to the 2 USB ports up entrance. To high it off, the HR-V hybrids are each fitted with Honda’s extra premium leatherette-and-fabric upholstery versus the full-cloth look within the base mannequin.

The seats are tremendous comfy because of this, and straightforward to get positioned up entrance even when the adjustment is simply guide. I had no downside with its seating place at roughly 172cm in peak, however taller individuals might run into points with headroom.

Transferring to the rear reveals the identical upholstery, and there’s a good bit to unpack right here when you climb via the slim door opening.

First up is the very fact there are solely two seats, resulting from ADR stipulations that require top-tether little one seat anchors to be fitted to rear seats with a seatbelt. Markets like Japan and the UK don’t have that requirement and Honda received’t produce a bespoke setup for Australia, which implies we miss out on the three-person bench.

Honda’s Magic Seats stay although, and they are often folded in a lot of configurations to accommodate numerous gadgets of difficult sizes.

If we miss out on a centre seat, we are able to a minimum of respect the artistic performance we nonetheless get right here.

To maintain passengers comfy there’s solely a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. Rear-facing air vents and twin USB-C ports are locked away in solely the top-spec e:HEV L, with a pair of storage nooks fitted as a substitute. At the least the seats are comfy and there’s loads of area all spherical.

Boot capability with the rear seats up is quoted at 304 litres, which is down on rivals just like the Kona (407 litres) and Yaris Cross (390 litres), however nonetheless greater than you get in a Crosstrek (291 litres).

That won’t appear unbelievable, however it’s nonetheless a useable area because of its principally sq. dimensions and two small cubbies on both aspect. With the rear seats folded the ground stays nearly completely flat.

Sadly there’s no spare wheel, and consumers will as a substitute need to make do with a tyre restore package. Past a slim area on the very rear of the boot there’s additionally no under-floor storage to be discovered.

For privateness you do get a canopy on the high, which might latch to the tailgate to remain out of the best way when loading and unloading. Utilizing the boot is made even simpler by the inclusion of lights on both aspect.

All up, it’s a nicely put-together inside, even whether it is extra primary than another new Hondas. There are in fact some shortcomings that, if resolved, would elevate this automotive additional, however it’s completely habitable as is.

To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument

What’s below the bonnet?

Each Honda HR-V e:HEV fashions are powered by the identical 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid system, mated with a constantly variable transmission (CVT). Complete system outputs are quoted at 96kW of energy and 253Nm of torque, although Honda doesn’t listing a capability for its lithium-ion battery pack.

For context, the non-hybrid HR-V Vi X is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 89kW and 145Nm.

It maintains the CVT and front-wheel drive supply, although the shortage of a battery pack reduces its kerb weight by greater than 100kg in comparison with the hybrids. Gasoline economic system is quoted at 6.2L/100km.

In our week with the automotive we couldn’t match Honda’s gas economic system declare, however the determine we noticed was nonetheless aggressive within the context of different hybrids.

Our driving primarily concerned freeway and freeway use, so we anticipate urban-focused journey would carry the quantity nearer to Toyota’s benchmark with the Yaris Cross.

To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument

How does the Honda HR-V drive?

With stunning confidence, although not in fairly as refined a way as a few of its siblings.

Its hybrid-ness makes itself obvious nearly instantly, given the HR-V will begin up in electric-only mode and solely hearth up the combustion engine should you sit stationary for a protracted time period with the air-con blasting.

Setting off is quiet as nicely; the one issues audible are the outside warning sound and a really faint motor noise. When it’s time for the engine to kick in, it’ll achieve this with out making itself identified.

The transition from electrical to combustion energy is sort of seamless, and the cabin is insulated nicely sufficient to the purpose that you simply in all probability received’t even hear the engine working. You’ll have to concentrate to the ‘EV’ gentle on the sprint to note.

At low velocity the engine could also be just a little extra apparent than on the freeway, however in metropolis driving the automotive will prioritise electrical driving and solely hearth up the engine when battery cost is getting low. If you’re trundling round in cease/begin site visitors, cost ought to final for a good whereas too.

That’ll assist it get near Honda’s city effectivity declare of simply 2.9L/100km, although with predominantly freeway driving the engine must function extra of the time.

It’s in a position to cruise alongside in electrical mode at 80km/h with out an excessive amount of hassle, although the battery shortly discharges and requires the engine to complement its energy. Likewise, inclines can have the HR-V calling on its petrol energy way more usually.

Due to the hybrid increase the HR-V remains to be pretty peppy off the road, because it’s in a position to shortly scoot away earlier than the engine kicks in. On a decline, the automotive may even rise up to the velocity restrict solely on electrical energy – offered you don’t step on the throttle too aggressively.

If you do, the petrol engine will do nearly all the heavy lifting, bringing with it extra of the noise you’d affiliate with a small displacement engine mated to a CVT. That noise is way from insufferable although, very like the minimal tyre noise you’ll hear on common roads.

At excessive revs the CVT will simulate gears to really feel extra like a torque converter auto, which brings a little bit of life to a transmission sort that’s in any other case identified for its dreariness. Switching into Sport mode may also assist with this, making the HR-V really feel way more alive within the context of its economical focus.

It’s not fairly as quick because the bigger, higher-output ZR-V, however it doesn’t really feel strained.

There’s additionally an Eco driving mode that can prioritise electrical energy in all settings and minimise using the engine. Energy output can be barely dulled, whereas the transmission is adjusted to forestall the engine from revving to rev too excessive when it’s working.

You’ll discover a ‘B’ on the gear selector bezel too, which Honda labels as ‘regenerative braking mode’ in each hybrid HR-Vs. On this mode, the driving force is granted full management over the automotive’s regen braking, permitting for a little bit of ‘engine’ braking and extra cost to be recuperated whereas on the transfer.

It’s not fairly one-pedal driving, however in its strongest setting it’ll nonetheless gradual the automotive considerably with out having to make use of the brake pedal. The power of the regenerative braking impact depends on how a lot cost the battery has, because it’ll be way more subdued if the battery is generally full.

Additional, the power of the regen braking is managed utilizing paddles on the wheel. Within the non-hybrid HR-V these paddles are used for ‘shifting’, however their repurposing to be used right here improves the on-road expertise.

It’s nonetheless doable to regulate the extent of regenerative braking whereas in Drive as regular, however solely quickly.

So far as consolation and ergonomics go, the HR-V has it nearly nailed. The steering is appropriately weighted and supplies good suggestions because the tyres journey over imperfections within the highway, whereas the throttle and brakes are properly calibrated and aren’t too sensitive nor too gentle.

The seats show to be comfy on longer drives, whereas the journey high quality is nice sufficient for bumps and holes to trigger little hassle.

That stated, it doesn’t fairly really feel as stable as one thing just like the ZR-V in a method that’s exhausting to explain. The place the ZR-V feels chunky, planted and strong, the HR-V tends to lean just a little extra on the ‘flimsy’ aspect – for the shortage of a greater phrase.

That might be a results of its stilted stance and comparatively slim tyres. That’s to not say it feels prefer it’s going to fall over or bounce away in bends as a result of it corners fairly nicely, however the dealing with deficit to its Honda siblings is unquestionably noticeable.

The hybrid HR-V remains to be lots positive of itself and can deal with turns higher than a lot of its rivals, however you could discover the odd unsettled second on tough rural roads.

Its on-road security tech is well-calibrated too. Each HR-V e:HEVs share in the identical security gear and add methods like blind-spot monitoring in comparison with the bottom Vi X, which is infinitely useful given the poor rearward visibility brought on by its obstructive rear-end packaging.

Participating and controlling adaptive cruise management is definitely achieved utilizing the buttons on the proper of the steering wheel. The HR-V will maintain its lane confidently and match the velocity of vehicles forward with no concern, making it a breeze to journey alongside lengthy stretches of freeway.

Solely sometimes did its passive lane-keep system flare up, however solely on narrower regional roads. Most often it took concern with us drifting out of our lane to keep away from a pothole, however it wouldn’t steer us again into the lane with pressure – as a substitute retaining it to audiovisual warnings within the cabin.

Its reversing digital camera will not be terribly high-resolution, however when paired with parking sensors it’s nonetheless straightforward to park and manoeuvre in tight areas like carparks.

Typically, the HR-V is a stable little performer on-road, and can cowl your each day commutes with out an excessive amount of sweat.

To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument

What do you get?

There are three grades of HR-V out there in Australia, and the e:HEV X sits proper within the center.

2025 Honda HR-V Vi X gear highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Tyre restore package
• LED headlights
  • Auto dusk-sensing
  • Auto high-beam
• LED daytime working lights
• LED tail-lights
• Rear privateness glass
• Energy-adjustable aspect mirrors
• Matte black wheel arch cladding, aspect skirts, entrance and rear bumper trim
• 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• 2 USB ports
• 7.0-inch LED driver data interface
• 4-speaker sound system
• Single-zone local weather management
• Black material upholstery
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-based-wrapped gear selector
• Paddle shifters
• Guide entrance seat adjustment
• Rear Magic Seats
  • 60/40 cut up, fold down and tip up
• Sensible keyless entry

HR-V e:HEV X provides:

• Auto-levelling headlights
• LED entrance fog lights
• LED lively cornering lights
• Gloss black wheel arch cladding, aspect skirts, entrance and rear bumper trim
• Acoustic windscreen
• 6-speaker sound system
• Heated entrance seats
• Black leatherette and material upholstery

Is the Honda HR-V protected?

The Honda HR-V has a four-star security score from ANCAP, primarily based on testing performed in 2022.

Commonplace security options embrace:

• 6 airbags
  • Entrance
  • Entrance aspect
  • Full-length curtain
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Oncoming motorbike collision detection
  • Pedestrian and bicycle entrance cross-traffic collision
• Lane-keep help
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise management
• Visitors Jam Help
• Visitors signal recognition
• Reversing digital camera
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• Hill descent management
• Tyre stress monitoring
• Computerized walk-away door locking

HR-V e:HEV X provides:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Clever velocity limiter
• Rear cross-traffic alert

How a lot does the Honda HR-V value to run?

The Honda HR-V is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, plus 5 years of roadside help, and is obtainable with 5 years of capped-price servicing.

Honda additionally features a five-year complimentary navigation map replace and a five-year Honda Join subscription with new HR-V purchases.

To see how the Honda HR-V stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability instrument

CarExpert’s Take Honda HR-V e:HEV X

The HR-V is an effective factor, and this e:HEV X variant might be the decide of the bunch.

It’s economical and quiet, whereas additionally being straightforward to drive in a method that units it aside from quite a lot of different new vehicles on sale proper now. Higher but, Honda high quality shines via in each side of the automotive, which implies it’ll doubtless maintain up because the kilometres mount.

The seamless and economical hybrid powertrain has sufficient punch for what it must do, and we at all times respect well-calibrated security gear. Its infotainment provisions are additionally top-notch, if not just a little small-screened for some individuals, however I’m within the operate over type camp and it’s exhausting to argue with a system that has no faults.

We are able to additionally respect the HR-V’s instrument cluster for its simplicity, although it nonetheless appears just a little unusual that the bottom ZR-V has a completely digital cluster for a virtually an identical value.

If you may get previous the shortage of 5 seats, a considerably small boot and no spare wheel, you’d do nicely to get behind the wheel of the e:HEV X.

The Vi X is cheaper however lacks hybrid tech and a bunch of nicer gear like heated seats, fog lights and an honest sound system, and in our opinion it doesn’t look as sharp resulting from its matte black exterior cladding.

The e:HEV L, in the meantime, is actually the identical automotive however costlier, and possibly not value the additional cash until you take into account creature comforts like rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone local weather management, and a heated steering wheel to be make-or-break gear.

It’s possible you’ll get a automotive that might higher fit your wants with one thing like the bottom ZR-V, however you received’t get hybrid tech in that automobile until you pay extra and transfer additional up the vary.

The one actual criticism is that it’s on the expensive aspect, but when you may get previous that the HR-V e:HEV X is nicely value a glance.

Curious about shopping for a Honda HR-V? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

Click on the photographs for the total gallery

MORE: All the things Honda HR-V