Honda HR-V
Newer 1.5L i-VTEC naturally aspirated engine in the Civic FL from 2022. Limited long-term experience so far. Direct injection can lead to intake valve carbon build-up.
Usable, but Uninspired
HR-V e:HEV delivers 131 hp but fights audibly with the petrol engine on the motorway. City driving: smooth and efficient. Handover from electric to combustion is louder than the competition.
Engine Weaknesses 2
Direct injection without port injection can lead to carbon deposits on intake valves. Honda implemented design countermeasures, but at high mileage it remains a latent concern.
Symptoms: Hesitation at part throttle, slight power loss, rough idle at higher mileage
Based on the L15B platform, fuel can enter the engine oil on short trips in cold weather. Significantly rarer in European climates than in colder regions. Regular oil level checks are recommended.
Symptoms: Oil level above maximum, faint petrol smell on dipstick after winter short trips
Vehicle Weaknesses 12
On up to 300,000 HR-V and Accord 2023–2024 models, the rivet securing the quick connector and cable plate of the seatbelt pretensioner may be missing. Restraint function in a crash is not guaranteed.
The weight sensor in the passenger seat can crack and short-circuit. The passenger airbag will then not deploy correctly in a crash.
EU recall: On wheels without pressed-in steel alloy hubs, the tightening torque of the wheel nuts is too low. Can lead to wheel detachment.
The electric parking brake occasionally fails to release correctly when pulling away. Restarting the vehicle usually resolves the issue temporarily.
The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine in the e:HEV drivetrain must drive the car directly at motorway speeds. Above 120 km/h consumption rises above 6 litres.
The lane keeping assist reacts overzealously on country roads without clear lane markings and intervenes unnecessarily.
The interior is fitted with a lot of hard plastic, which falls slightly short of expectations in the compact SUV class.
In very cold weather, condensation or even a thin layer of ice forms on the inside of the windscreen after just a few kilometres. Impaired visibility is possible.
Due to the high proportion of regenerative braking, the rear friction brakes are rarely used. The brake discs rust quickly and may scrape and judder during the next braking.
The seats offer little lateral support and the seat bases are too short. Many drivers and passengers complain of back and thigh pain on longer journeys.
The HR-V's paint is noticeably susceptible to stone chips and scratches. Chips down to the primer appear early, particularly on the bonnet and bumpers.
The reversing camera gets dirty quickly in wet and muddy conditions. No heating or washing system is fitted.
Reports & Tests
895 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2021–2024). Most reported: Wipers & Visibility (332), Other (253), Steering (129).