Verdict
B
Compact SUV · Japan · 1999-Present
Honda HR-V
Honda HR-V — spec data and generation history.
Years
1999-Present
Generations
3
Segment
Compact SUV
Honda's compact crossover — three UK generations spanning a long gap. GH (Mk1 1999-2006) was the original 'Joy Machine' three- and five-door 1.6 petrol on a Logo platform; RU (Mk2 2015-2021) returned after a near-decade absence on the Jazz platform with Magic Seats; RV (Mk3 2021-Present) is hybrid-only e:HEV in the UK. Reliable, sensible, and quietly handsome by Honda standards. Never a leader, but never a disaster either.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
GH 1999-2006 → RU 2015-2021
BHP +0 bhp
Torque +15 Nm
0-60 mph -1.5 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +10 mpg
RU 2015-2021 → RV 2021-Present
BHP +0 bhp
Torque +60 Nm
0-60 mph -0.4 s
Top speed -7 mph
MPG +15 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1999-2006
GH
→
1.6 i-VTEC — 124 bhp, 0-62 in 10.5s.
Verdict
C
BHP
124
0–60
10.5 s
Top
109 mph
MPG
32.0 mpg
Used
£600-£2,500
- + Joy Machine quirk-charm
- + Honda mechanical reliability
- − Tiny boot
- − CVT auto fragile
2015-2021
RU
→
1.5 i-VTEC — 128 bhp, 0-62 in 10.0s.
Verdict
B
BHP
128
0–60
10.0 s
Top
119 mph
MPG
50.0 mpg
Used
£8,000-£17,000
- + Magic Seats brilliant
- + Cabin a real upgrade
- − CVT drone under load
- − 1.6 i-DTEC EGR issues
2021-Present
RV
→
1.5 e:HEV — 129 bhp, 0-62 in 10.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
129
0–60
10.6 s
Top
107 mph
MPG
53.0 mpg
Used
£18,000-£32,000
- + e:HEV refined and efficient
- + Cabin best of any HR-V
- − Only adequate performance
- − No AWD in UK
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1999-2006 · GH
- CVT-style auto reliability
- Rear arch rust
- Power steering rack leaks
2015-2021 · RU
- CVT belt wear (1.5 petrol)
- Magic Seat catch wear
- Honda Connect infotainment slow
2021-Present · RV
- Hybrid 12V battery
- Brake regen squeal
- Software updates on launch units
Rivals
Toyota Yaris Cross · Nissan Juke · Ford Puma · Volkswagen T-Cross