Page 37 - link magazine

The Honda HR-V – crossover style

It’s smart styling and I especially boot. That’s good design. Overall,
like the ‘hidden’ rear door handles the interior has a premium feel
but find the rear view a bit plain. about it and includes Honda’s
All models are two-wheel drive. The extremely practical magic seats.
UK is unlikely to see a 4WD version, The looks may be sporty but
alas. Honda clearly don’t want to put
The exterior is attractive without off their buyers by making the
being controversial but it’s on suspension too firm. The HR-V is
the inside that Honda have really good to drive and although it has
delivered. On the range-topping one of the best rides in its class,
model we tested the leather seats gliding over our ruined roads, this
were really comfortable and it was softness induces lean into corners
the work of a moment to find the so don’t expect rally car handling.
ideal driving position. Occupants There are only two engines on
are presented with a cohesive offer right now; a new 128bhp 1.5L
cabin design, with instruments petrol and Honda’s reliable 1.6-litre
Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes the latest Honda and controls logically grouped in a i-DTEC diesel which we found a tad
HR-V for a spin manner that puts all the toys nicely harsh in the HR-V. With 118bhp it’s
to hand. The plastics employed on not tremendously powerful either
Amazingly, it has been ten years the high-riding nature of crossovers the dash are mostly soft-touch and and can feel a little breathless
since Honda’s last vehicle that to the more regular hatch. I would of good, sturdy quality although in low gears. There’s a choice of
carried the HR-V name. It was a have wished that maybe Honda there remains some of the scratchy manual or CVT gearboxes. It is
boxy, slightly disappointing SUV- could have been a little more daring hard stuff. economical though; Honda reckon
style car that didn’t really capture with the design, but they’ve played Although the external dimensions 68mpg from the diesel and we saw
the public’s attention. This time safe and gone for a conventional appear snug – this car is based over 50mpg during our test period.
around though the company seem sporty appearance. on the company’s evergreen Jazz Overall, we rate the Honda
to have cracked it with their latest The rounded front, curved window platform after all - like the Tardis HR-V. It is never going to inflame
offering. area and arching roof line all give the interior is surprisingly roomy the senses and for the £25k our
Coming rather late to the the HR-V a tall coupé look, aided with plenty of space in the back. range-topper costs you can get a
automotive crossover party, it by a sleek and pronounced crease In fact the available space is better well specified Civic Tourer, but if the
is nevertheless an attractive running through the two side doors than found in some slightly larger crossover image is for you then this
proposition for those who prefer that meets up with the window line. competitors. The same goes for the car should be on your shortlist.

Savings to smile about with Hyundai

i10 S 1.0 New Generation i20 S 1.2 5dr
From £7,995 OTR ^ From £10,995 OTR ^

Pebley Beach Hyundai 01793 816800
West Swindon Motor Park, Paddington Drive, Bridgemead, Swindon SN5 7SB www.pebleybeachhyundai.co.uk
Pebley Beach Ltd, trading as Pebley Beach Hyundai.

Fuel consumption MPG (l/100km) for Hyundai range: Urban 18.0 (15.7) - 80.7 (3.5), Extra Urban 32.8 (8.6) - 94.2 (3.0), Combined 25.2 (11.2) - 88.3 (3.2), CO2 Emissions 261 - 84
g/km. Fuel consumption: figures shown are based on official EU test figures. These are to be used as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect all driving results.
^Models shown: i10 S 1.0 at £7,995 OTR in solid paint at no extra cost and New Generation i20 S 1.2 5dr at £10,995 OTR in solid paint at no extra cost. On the road (OTR) prices shown include customer saving discounts where applicable, VAT where applicable, delivery, vehicle first registration
fee, number plates and 12 months’ Road Fund Licence. All offers and savings are subject to availability, while stocks last and are only available to private retail customers on new cars purchased and registered in the UK (excluding Channel Islands or Isle of Man), between 1st October and
31st December 2015, inclusive, sourced through Hyundai Motor UK Ltd or its authorised dealers. Offers are not available for customers under the Hyundai Affinity Programme. 5 Year Warranty terms and exclusions apply. Please see www.hyundai.co.uk or ask your local Dealer.
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