Honda's small soft-roader

Apr 20 2009 Peter Hayward

Honda's small soft-roader

HONDA'S smaller soft roader - the HR-V - is still capable of decent off-road work when necessary and I know someone who swears by one as a towcar for his caravan.

The HR-V is chunky and good looking and was available as a three and five door with four wheel drive and later there was also a front wheel drive version.

The 2WD and base 4WD models both had a 1.6-litre engine with 105bhp, which gives a top speed of around 100mph and 0 to 60 acceleration of about 11 seconds along with 32mpg economy.

A more powerful 1.6 was added later with no less than 122bhp and this improved the urge all round, cutting the 0 to 60 time by about a second, while retaining the same level of economy.

The five door is much more family friendly with plenty of space for four over a long journey in complete comfort.

The ride is good and the suspension is able to cope with almost anything on the road, keeping occupants well insulated.

Interior

The interior is a little cramped in the rear of the three door, spacious in the five door and both have an excellent boot.

Controls are great - Honda's cabins have always been pretty good - the clutch is light, the five speed gearbox excellent and the power steering brilliant if sometimes a little too light. Reliability is excellent.

FAST FACTS

Honda HR-V V-TEC

Price: Pay about £2,200 for an '01 Y-reg 3dr, or £2,800 for an '02 52-reg. An '04 54-reg 5dr will be about £4,800

Mechanical: 122bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving all four wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 106mph

0-62mph: 10 seconds

Combined mpg: 32

Insurance group: 8

Marks: 8/10

Main rival: Suzuki Vitara