Ever since Nissan took the car market by surprise by launching an “SUV” that wasn’t an SUV – the Qashqai had the looks but none of the ability – car manufacturers have been scrambling to tap into a very lucrative business.
They have done so with varying levels of success, but the Qashqai has managed to stay ahead of the pack, leading the market with 2,707 sales so far this year. The Opel Mokka, by comparison, has managed 667 sales and the Skoda Yeti only 282.
Honda is the latest manufacturer to join the fray in Europe, with the launch of its HR-V, another car that brings SUV-like styling to the suburbs. Although the original HR-V was clever, it had no styling merit and offered merely boxy practicality combined with Honda reliability. There are still a few plugging around to prove that last point.
Sportier
Honda has done a good job on this new car. It has not only a sportier profile than some of its competitors but also a quality feel that does not come across from some of the others.
Compared with Mazda’s new CX-3, for example, the Honda feels better put together and engineered as a separate project rather than as an SUV shell simply loaded on a traditional car platform.
The HR-V may not be as big as the Qashqai, but it is not a great deal smaller, and it has good presence on the road. The boot is actually bigger than the Nissan’s, with a capacity of 470 litres compared with the Qashqai’s 430. It also has Honda’s flexible “magic seating” system.
In short, it is a decent prospect if you don’t need the full SUV package.
Among the car’s best characteristics are its ride and handling, traits that crossovers are not renowned for. The HR-V has a keen ability in cornering and soaks up bumps well. It is also precise to drive – a lot better than some competitors.
Twenty-seven per cent of the body structure uses high-strength steel, and the HR-V has a relatively low centre of gravity, to give it more of an enjoyable, car-like feel. The short-shift gearbox adds to the slightly sporty edge of the HR-V.
You can choose between a 1.6-litre diesel, producing 118 horsepower, and a 1.5-litre petrol engine, producing 128 horsepower. Although the HR-V, as a suburban car, represented an opportunity for Honda to shine and woo buyers back to petrol with an engine that made sense in its natural environment, it does not cut the mustard. It is adequate at lower speeds but fails to provide enough power for overtaking manoeuvres and crisp performance.
It seems, then, that buyers will have to took to the diesel when it might not be the optimum choice for lower-mileage city driving, which is a pity.
Diesel
In fairness, the diesel is very quiet, and the car’s low rear roofline contributes to it moving along with little or no wind noise to intrude in the cabin. At least it is a 1.6 engine, so the urban penalty is not so significant.
Above all the HR-V has a big advantage when it comes to finish and interior design. You are not faced plastic everywhere. The finish has a quality feel, and the design – the angled display of the touchscreen, for example – is well thought out.
With a starting price of €25,995 for the diesel (the petrol costs €23,995), the HR-V has a very good level of standard equipment, including Bluetooth, city-brake system, climate control, cruise control, auto lights, stop-start for city traffic, heated mirrors, a 5in touchscreen and remote audio controls.
Had the petrol version not displayed such a lack of zip, the HR-V would be a stronger contender in this crossover segment, because it has the looks and the build quality to stand out from the crowd.
Honda has done a nice job, investing in engineering and styling and making it one of the most attractive cars in the crossover market.
It has one other advantage: everyone else is selling diesel, and customers are making their preference known . . . for now.