Honda HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC (2016) review (Month 5)

We’ve been running our long term Honda HR-V crossover since the summer, so we’re just starting to see how it is performing as winter takes hold.

The first thing we noticed was the total absence of its idle stop function during a particularly cold spell that lasted several days. After some initial head scratching it became clear that with the air conditioning, heating, heated seat and demister all switched on, plus an iPhone permanently docked, the on-board computer had worked out there wasn’t enough charge to go around.

Sure enough these thoughts were confirmed when the weather picked up and the system kicked back into life once the engine had warmed up.

Another discovery was made after the winter nights drew in. Driving along an unlit and empty road the lights switched automatically from dips to full beam and then back again at the first sign of oncoming traffic. Further investigation revealed the car is fitted with Honda’s Highbeam Support System; a camera fitted to the windscreen behind the rear view mirror. It’s a clever, albeit unnecessary, touch indicative of the attention to detail for which Honda’s engineers are rightly renowned.

The car continues to perform well on the daily urban commute, longer motorway runs and as a general run-around and load-lugger with its impressive rear “magic seats” which fold totally flat to accommodate demanding loads.

Fuel economy continues to average at around 53mpg despite the Eco button being engaged for the last two tankfuls. That gives the car a 500 mile range but we’re still determined to close in on 60mpg.

Stylish, practical and economic. The HR-V is also proving a hit with cap with our test model expected to hold 77% of its value after 12 months/ 20,000 miles; that’s around 15% more than the slightly bigger Nissan Qashqai. Welcome news for Honda and its dealers as that is precisely the crossover customer base they want to attract.

Month 1 report
Month 2 report
Month 3 report
Month 4 report