Honda HR-V (1999 – 2006) Review

2022 Honda HR-V 1.5 eHEV Advance Style 5dr CVT

Honda HR-V
1.5 eHEV Advance Style 5dr CVT
£27,162

View Honda HR-V cars for sale

Honda HR-V (1999 – 2006) At A Glance

Reliable, well-built urbanite with 4x4 looks and, in many cases, 4x4 hardware.

Not that spacious inside. Problems reported with CVT autos. Windscreen can be prone to cracking.

Honda's 'High-Riding Recreational Vehicle' was launched in 1999 in the UK in two door format and four wheel drive.

Reviews for Honda HR-V (1999 – 2006)'s top 3 rivals

Nissan X-Trail

Excellent, honest vehicle, decent to drive on road and best in class off road. Better than original Freelander.

Suzuki Ignis

Perky chain cam engines, good build quality, decent cabin space. High off ground. 4x4 useful cheap transport...

Toyota RAV4

Bigger and now 5-door only. More luxurious but not as practical as previous RAV-4. Car-like road manners....

May 1999

Be-spoilered suburban style wagon with part-time four-wheel-drive. 3-door: 13' 2" long by 5' 7" wide, weighing 1,200kg and capable of towing 1,200kg. Cheaper than CRV with smaller 1.6 engine offering 103 or 123bhp VTEC. CVT auto option.

April 2000

4x4 5-door version of HR-V added from spring 2000 together with two-wheel-drive version of 3-door. 5-door is 13' 6" long. Two power outputs: 103bhp for 1.6 and also available with 4-speed torque converter auto. 123bhp VTEC version 5-speed manual and 4WD only.

June 2006

Last UK sales of first generation Honda HR-V

December 2014

1999-2006 Honda HR-V shown to be the most reliable SUV in Warranty Direct's Claims records.

What to watch out for

01-01-0001:

Make sure screen isn't horizontally cracked (a common fault).

Problems with CVT auto where fitted. Needs fresh ATF every year. if still under warranty Honda has a replacement "clutch starter kit" which solves the thump when drive is engaged. Have noticed cracked screens on cars at auction.