Honda HR-V (1999 – 2006) Review

Honda HR-V
1.6 i-DTEC SE 5dr
£15,500

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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.

What do owners think of the Honda HR-V (1999 – 2006)? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

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Child seats that fit a Honda HR-V (1999 – 2006)

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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....

Ask Honest John

Looking for a budget 4x4

"I'm looking to replace my Ford Focus with something that I can comfortably use on a bumpy and muddy tracks in all weathers. I only have £3500 to spent and was considering the Skoda Octavia Scout, do you have any suggestions?"

Small: a Daihatsu Terios or FIAT Panda 4x4 or Suzuki Ignis 4x4. Bigger, a Honda HRV if you can find a good one. Don't recommend a Rover 'StreetWise'.

Answered by Honest John

Buying a small car- what would you recomend

"My Volkswagen Polo 2006 is uneconomical to repair and I must replace it. My garage has recommended a Honda HR-V or a Toyota RAV4. I am a horse owner who travels 24 miles (round trip 48) to look after my horse. I often take horse tack (bridal, sandal) and sometimes feed with me. I have ‘coped’ with the space available in my old Polo. The car must be rugged enough to deal with the potholes of country roads and untarmaced lanes. I’ve never had a 4x4 so it isn’t crucial and I don’t tow horseboxes. Reliability is important for I MUST look after the horses everyday. I have up to £6500 to spend plus the salvage of my Polo."

In that case a Toyota RAV4 or a Suzuki Grand Vitara makes sense. Similar load areas and similar side opening rear doors, and at this price level you still got a spare wheel on the rear door.

Answered by Honest John

Are Honda HR-V and CR-V 4x4s suitable for towing?

"I often tow a trailer with a 2000 1.8-litre Vauxhall Vectra but I feel that a 4x4 might be more appropriate for the task. A local motor trader has a range of S, T and V-reg Honda 4x4s for sale from £1000 to £1600, with both automatic and manual gearboxes, and either 1.6- or 2-litre engines. Which would you recommend to purchase with regard to reliability and economy? All have covered between 100,000 and 120,000 miles with a full service history. Is a Honda safe to buy at this age or would you recommend something else? "

These must be HR-Vs and CR-Vs. HR-V CVTs are totally unsuited to towing. Older vehicles anyway are not good for towing because they are more prone to overheat, but to specialise in 10-15 year old HR-Vs and CR-Vs, this chap must be pretty confident about them.

Answered by Honest John

HR-V gearbox belt

"I'm buying a Honda HR-V but the gear box belt needs some work, maybe to be tightened. What should I do?"

I guess you are referring to the CVT transmission. The belts cannot be tightened. They would have to be entirely replaced. So factor the cost of that into your purchase. Get it checked at a member of http://www.fedauto.co.uk

Answered by Honest John