Can the hybrid-only Honda HR-V mini-SUV be an efficient long-distance commuter car? We're set to find out over the next few months
On motorways, the petrol engine takes over for maximum efficiency, but the system blends the two power sources on intermediate routes. Given that I can clock up the miles at an impressive rate travelling between photoshoots, I’m hopeful that the overall economy figures will match Honda’s claims – and that the noise created by the e-CVT gearbox’s penchant for revs won’t prove irritating over long distances.
So far, I’ve found the 9.0in touchscreen easy to navigate and responsive to use, to the point that plugging in my phone and swapping to Apple CarPlay hasn’t become the first thing I do every time I get behind the wheel. It’s also a relief to have actual physical dials for the heating controls, which I find much less distracting than on-screen icons.