Honda HR-V SUV - Interior & comfort
Honda's infotainment setup is much better than before
Particularly at low speeds, the HR-V is very quiet and refined, with good isolation from outside noises, although there’s a bit of road noise at higher speeds. The ride verges on being firm, which causes the car to fidget over a series of bumps, but the HR-V generally filters out the worst shocks and potholes.
Honda has a reputation for producing well-built, functional interiors that tend to major on simplicity rather than design flair. That's still the case here, so it feels a touch more conservative inside than rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Citroen C3.
Honda HR-V dashboard
The fascia is more minimalist than Honda models of old but the manufacturer hasn't abandoned physical controls altogether. There are still chunky rotary dials for the climate control and we think the balance is just right. The dashboard is dominated by a new nine-inch touchscreen, perched right in the middle of the car.
Like the system in the Honda Jazz, this is a big improvement, with a sharp display that's responsive to touch inputs. The interface itself is also clear and easy to use, even at a glance when driving. It's a shame then, that once you drill down into its submenus they’re a little confusing. Owners are likely to use Android Auto or wireless Apple CarPlay much of the time, and both are standard.
Equipment
There are three trim levels, starting with Elegance, which costs from just under £27,000. Standard kit includes LED headlights, heated seats, all-round parking sensors, a rear-view camera, keyless entry and 18-inch alloy wheels. The nine-inch infotainment screen is also included as standard. Advance adds luxuries like a heated steering wheel, an air diffusion system, artificial leather upholstery and a powered tailgate. Meanwhile, Advance Style includes two-tone paint and an enhanced 10-speaker stereo along with a wireless smartphone charger and roof rails.
Options
Honda doesn't traditionally offer lots of optional extras but there are some features to make the HR-V more distinctive. For a start, buyers can choose a Sport Pack, Obscura Black Pack or Ilmenite Titanium Pack to alter the exterior styling with sporty bumpers or extra black trim, but note that they aren’t cheap. In fact, Honda’s accessories catalogue is full of quite costly items, including leather upholstery for £1,700, tinted windows for £950 and a light in the tailgate for around £200.
