All-new Honda HR-V boasts low running costs

The HR-V name has been revived for Honda's latest compact SUV, and it's on sale now aimed at competing with everything from the smaller Nissan Juke to the larger Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar.

The reason for the wide breadth of competition is that the new Honda HR-V is compact on the outside but, thanks to clever packaging, the interior offers similar or, in some cases, more space than larger competition.

The Honda HR-V is priced from £17,995 for the petrol-powered entry-level 'S' trim model. It's available for £149 a month with a 30% deposit. The range is topped by the £24,945 EX diesel model.

The compact crossover is the latest Honda to benefit from the firm's vast array of technology – including some sophisticated in-car entertainment features and the latest generation of fuel-sipping engines. It rivals models such as the Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka and Renault Captur.

The HR-V on offer in the UK has already been on sale in the US and Japan since 2013, named the Vezel. Honda claims the HR-V will be a sales hit in Europe, as the Japanese version was the best-selling SUV in 2014 and the first half of 2015.

New Honda HR-V engines

The new HR-V is available with a choice of a 129bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine or a 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel.

In the most efficient diesel form with a six-speed manual gearbox, the HR-V is capable of up to 71mpg and has CO2 emissions as low as 104g/km. Despite this, Honda claims a 0-62mph time of 10.1 seconds, so this HR-V's economy and performance are virtually identical to the Nissan Juke 1.5 dCi's, but better than the Vauxhall Mokka 1.7 CDTi's.

15

Unlike the manual-only diesel, the 1.5-litre petrol is available with either a six-speed manual or a CVT automatic gearbox. With the CVT, the HR-V is capable of up to a claimed 54mpg and has CO2 emissions of 120g/km, while choosing the manual increases running costs slightly.

Despite its SUV looks, the HR-V is only available with front-wheel drive.

Interior, safety and equipment

Honda has emphasized the boot space and practicality of the HR-V, with 470 litres available for luggage, increasing to 1,533 litres with the back seats folded down.

Inside, there's a roomy interior and Honda's versatile 'Magic Seat' system, which allows the rear seat bases to flip up like cinema seats to free up even more luggage space in the back. Honda describes the inside of the car as "sporty" and "enveloping," with high-quality materials used throughout.

The HR-V is available in four specification levels: S, SE, SE Navi and EX. All models feature climate control, cruise control and automatic headlights as standard. SE includes all-round parking sensors, an audio upgrade and rain sensing windscreen wipers. Navi adds Garmin sat nav.

The top-spec EX has bags of kit, as it’s treated to full leather upholstery, keyless entry and a rear view camera. A panoramic sunroof and larger 17-inch alloy wheels are thrown in too.

15

The car can be equipped with a panoramic sunroof, a comprehensive stereo system and an infotainment screen running the Android smartphone operating system.

Plenty of safety features are available on the new HR-V – driver assistance gadgets include speed assist, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning and a traffic-sign recognition system.

Honda hopes that its engineering will give the HR-V a "saloon-like" driving experience. This includes high rigidity – which helps with handling – and plenty of noise insulation to keep the cabin quiet. You can find out what the HR-V is like to drive - read our full HR-V review here.

Honda HR-V mpg, CO2 and 0-62mph

Price and release date

You'll have to pay £17,995 for an entry-level 1.5-litre petrol S model, with prices almost hitting £25,000 for top-spec models. Expect to pay around £1,000 more for a CVT automatic petrol or a manual diesel compared to the standard manual petrol.

The new HR-V is on sale now.

For more on the Honda range, visit Carbuyer’s reviews page.