Fun comes at a price

I have just discovered the ideal piece of childish bedtime reading for my three-year-old son.

It comes in the form of Honda’s HR-V sales brochure, a vehicle that’s aimed at the young, trendy, professional, sporty, adventurous sector - in other words often those who have more money than sense.

With such memorable lines as: “When you are driving, where do you put your banana? Or your mobile phone? Now you can keep it in a useful pocket on the inside of the front passenger seat, just where you can reach it easily. Why has no-one thought of that before?” I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

In describing the HR-V’s seats, which I found to be large, supportive and very comfortable, the brochure goes on: “Hug me ... just like a lover should. These front seats hold you in all the right places.” Is this the type of marketing which is being aimed at the educated young professional?

Before the Japanese car manufacturer prints another brochure, it would be well advised to take another look at the young Irish professional, for I can never envisage them buying this model having read a brochure like this.

Silly marketing aside, however, any HR-Vs that are already on Irish roads are there, more than likely, as a direct result of what people already know of Honda’s engineering brilliance.

The HR-V is a very different mode of transport. Honda did to it something that most manufacturers of 4x4s could adopt. While they manufacture and sell a four wheel drive version, they also make a two-wheel-drive derivative and it is the five-door 2WD model which I tested.

Designed and conceived during evenings and weekends by a young group of Honda’s designers and engineers, the HR-V is a bit of a joy machine. It’s not a cross-country 4WD, estate, MPV, saloon or coupe, but it is different.

The HR-V has opened up a new niche in the market. Considering the percentage of people who actually take a 4x4 off-road is in the low, single figure percentage, Honda used a great deal of imagination to introduce this High Rise Vehicle (HR-V) in two-wheel-drive format.

With a price difference of only £1,005 between the 2WD and the 4WD with the CVT transmission, the attractiveness and temptation, however, is not financially sufficient to tempt one to buy only the 2WD model. With this type of vehicle, one never knows the day or hour when towing may be required.

The HR-V, which sits high off the road, has a rugged, yet streamlined appearance. Sized below its CR-V stablemate, it has a practical as well as a fun-loving, sporty side to it.

It’s versatile, will carry five adults, offers good luggage space and, like most high-seating vehicles, it offers excellent all-round visibility. The Honda’s interior design and layout proved attractive, functional and appealing. The blue dials are modern and oddment space, even for the banana, is in abundance.

It does not, however, have Honda’s latest engine technology under its bonnet but the 1.6 litre single overhead camshaft unit proved faultless nevertheless. Capable of producing 105 bhp, the engine is mated to a lovely, precise five-speed gearbox.

Quiet and refined when driving, the HR-V’s best fuel return was 33 mpg on a 12.1 gallon fuel tank.

With a suspension made up of MacPherson struts front and a 5-link De Dion system on the rear with Panhard rod, coil springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bar, the HR-V relayed a fine sure-footedness.

Sharp and responsive in its handling, the HR-V did become fidgety when driving over uneven rough surfaces. It’s not a lover of rough country lanes or potholes either, even with its large 16” wheels.

Despite the high driving position, the HR-V handles as good and rides as comfortably as many hatchbacks. It has balance and communicates well with the driver.

Well-built and nicely finished, the HR-V comes with a high level of standard equipment, including air conditioning, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), a CD player, electric windows and retractable mirrors.

The HR-V is different, certainly, but it has a presence and offers almost the driving comfort of a car in brighter, more airy surroundings. However, there is a big price differential to pay, as far as I am concerned.

Priced at £19,995, £1,000 more will get you into the 1.8 litre Accord; almost £7,000 less and you can have a Civic.

The HR-V 2WD is something you will grow out of. My advice would be to save for the larger CR-V if it is a high rise model you’re after. While the HR-V is fun, it’s a bit like the latest fashion garment, and you don’t need me to tell you what happens to fashions after a while ....