This Insight continues our series of car interior reviews, focusing on the technologies and materials. Launched in Europe in late 2021 and refreshed in 2024, the Honda HR-V carries the e:HEV badge, following in the footsteps of its siblings, the CR-V and Jazz.
The interior of the HR-V has been designed to enhance accessibility and comfort. The central dash and console have been adjusted for easier access to the wireless charging mat. Enhanced sound-deadening measures have been implemented to improve cabin comfort, contributing to a quieter ride.
Cockpit
In Europe, five trim levels are available on the third-generation HR-V: Elegance, Advance, Advance Plus, Advance Style and Advance Style Plus. Each trim level features a cockpit that incorporates a combination of materials for a consistent appearance. Subtle metallic accents adorn the air vent bezels, steering wheel, door handles and climate control panel. Meanwhile, textiles cover the door-card inserts, headliner, windscreen pillars and dashboard inlay, contributing to an upscale ambiance.
Regardless of the chosen trim level, driver comfort and convenience are prioritized with a range of standard features. These include a rearview camera, an air diffusion system, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, as well as heated door mirrors and front seats.
The instrumentation cluster features a thin-film-transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) driver information interface (DII) at its center, flanked by battery status and fuel level gauges. The DII provides a digital speedometer and a linear power gauge with a charge status indicator. Additionally, the lower half of the DII includes a “content zone” that allows the driver to scroll through navigation instructions, audio track information, smartphone contacts and the all-wheel-drive (AWD) system status, along with smart vehicle maintenance details. The DII also displays a graphic of the current power flow, indicating the vehicle’s power source at any given moment, along with updates on battery charging status and an “ECO Guide” that offers suggestions for more efficient driving.
Connectivity and infotainment
At the heart of the HR-V's cockpit is a TFT-LCD DII. This central display is flanked by battery status and fuel level gauges, providing essential information at a glance. The DII features a digital speedometer and a linear power gauge with a charge status indicator. Additionally, the lower section includes a “content zone” that allows drivers to scroll through navigation instructions, audio track information, smartphone contacts and the AWD system status, along with smart vehicle maintenance details. The DII also shows the current power flow, updates on battery charging status, and an “ECO Guide” for more efficient driving.
The HR-V features a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, along with radio, Bluetooth and satellite navigation. The system is user-friendly, with customizable tiles, physical buttons and a responsive touchscreen.
The Honda Connect service, available for five years, provides vehicle location, remote locking, fuel level checks and emergency contact capabilities if an accident occurs and the driver is unresponsive.
With four strategically placed USB charging points throughout the cabin, all occupants can stay connected on the go.
Beneath the touchscreen, a control cluster facilitates intuitive operation of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, featuring three large dials complemented by buttons for easy adjustments.
While the six-speaker stereo offers decent sound, it is not exceptional.
Cabin space
The HR-V is a compact sport utility vehicle, measuring 4,345 mm long, making it smaller than rivals like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Nissan Qashqai. Inside, it feels snug but not cramped. The driving position has been elevated slightly by 10 mm compared to the previous model, enhancing visibility.
The front seats feature a mat-structure support system that replaces the previous spring setup, providing improved comfort. The rear seats are configured in a 60/40 split design, allowing them to fold flat or flip up as needed to accommodate varying cargo requirements.
According to research by S&P Global Mobility, key suppliers of the seat assembly include Adient, TS Tech, Setex and Razi Sons.
Additional features include L-shaped vents positioned in the top corners of the dashboard. A tactile dial allows users to switch between two airflow modes: a standard outlet with forward-directed airflow and a mode that creates a gentle, dispersed air flow.
While the overall dimensions of the vehicle remain similar to those of the previous generation, the latest model offers slightly more legroom and shoulder space: a 35-mm increase in rear legroom and an additional two-degree recline. The boot space provides a capacity of 304 liters with the rear seats in the upright position, which expands to 1,274 liters when the rear seats are folded flat.
The HR-V features two USB charging sockets in the front and rear, along with a wireless charging pad (standard on the top-tier Advance Style) in the lower section of the center console. The audio system features 10 speakers strategically placed around the cabin, complemented by an external amplifier for enhanced sound quality.
The Advance Plus grade includes a glass roof, while all grades come standard with privacy glass to improve security and comfort, particularly in warm weather.
Advanced driver assistance systems
The HR-V is equipped with a suite of ADAS features as part of its Honda Sensing suite. These features include collision mitigation warning, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assistance and a low-speed brake system. Additionally, the HR-V offers adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assistance, auto high-beam assist, blind spot information, cross-traffic monitoring and hill descent control.
The HR-V features a new wide-angle high-definition camera that replaces the multipurpose camera and sensor setup in the previous generation. This upgrade enhances the vehicle's ability to monitor its surroundings, enhancing safety and driving confidence.
On the road
Honda's hybrid system is a refined powertrain. It features a 1.5L petrol engine producing 78 kW and 131 Newton meter (N.m), with a combined output of 96 kW and 253 N.m. The system prioritizes electric power, enabling quiet city driving, while the petrol engine operates as a generator when needed. This results in smooth, electric vehicle-like acceleration. Although the suspension design is simple, it offers good ride comfort and handling, making the HR-V nimble and stable. Interior noise is generally low, though some tire and engine noises can be heard under heavy acceleration. The HR-V might not appeal to everyone, but it offers compact versatility and maintains a high level of quality for those who value these features.
S&P Global Mobility’s latest report on “Global automotive seat market trends and analysis” offers a detailed analysis of the global automotive seat market, key technology trends, major suppliers and original equipment manufacturer customers.
