Review: 2025 Honda HR-V 1.5 i-MMD Advance Style Plus
What is it?
Honda’s latest HR-V, a car that's about as exciting as a Tuesday evening in Barnsley, but arguably twice as useful. This isn't the sort of motor that'll have you penning love letters or boring your mates down the pub with tales of automotive brilliance. Instead, it's the four-wheeled equivalent of that reliable mate who'll help you move house without complaint and always remembers to bring the tea bags.
There’s something quietly confident about the latest Honda HR-V. It doesn’t shout, it doesn’t swagger, and it definitely doesn’t try to cosplay as a hardcore off-roader with fake vents and plastic cladding stuck on for the sake of it. Instead, it just turns up, straightens its tie, and gets on with the job. In an era where even the smallest crossovers are desperate to look like they’ve just returned from a Dakar stage, the all-new 2025 Honda HR-V 1.5 i-MMD Advance Style Plus feels refreshingly… grown up.
Where it sits
The HR-V sits neatly between the Jazz and the CR-V in Honda’s UK line-up. It’s very much the middle child: bigger, smarter and more premium than the Jazz, but without the bulk, cost or driveway-filling presence of the CR-V. For many UK buyers, that’s exactly the sweet spot.
Underneath, the HR-V shares plenty of its DNA with the Jazz – particularly the 1.5-litre i-MMD hybrid system. Honda has been refining this setup for years now, and it’s a familiar face across the range. It’s not a plug-in, it doesn’t pretend to be sporty, and it doesn’t give you endless drive modes to fiddle with. What it does do is quietly and efficiently get on with the business of moving people around without fuss.
In Advance Style Plus trim, this is the HR-V wearing its posh trousers. You get the full styling pack, bigger wheels, a smarter interior and enough kit to make it feel genuinely premium without drifting into badge-snob territory.
On the road – calm, comfortable and very Honda
Fire it up – or rather, don’t, because half the time it just glides away silently on electric power – and the HR-V immediately shows its hand. This is a car designed for real roads, real traffic and real people with places to be.
Around town, it’s a peach. The hybrid system works exactly as it should: smooth, unobtrusive and clever enough that you stop thinking about it entirely after five minutes. Pull away gently and it’ll waft off on electric power. Squeeze a bit harder and the petrol engine joins in without any drama. There’s no jerky gearshifts, because there aren’t really any gears to speak of in the traditional sense, and the whole experience is very… civilised.
Out on A-roads and motorways, the HR-V settles into a relaxed cruise. It’s not fast – let’s get that out of the way early – but it’s more than quick enough. Overtakes require a bit of planning rather than blind optimism, but the electric motor’s instant shove helps mask the modest power figures nicely.
Ride comfort is a strong point. Honda has clearly tuned the suspension with UK roads in mind, because it deals with broken tarmac, potholes and speed bumps with a level of composure that many rivals could learn from. It’s firm enough to feel controlled, but never crashy or unsettled. Long journeys are dispatched without fatigue, and it feels planted and stable at motorway speeds.
Push on a bit and you’re reminded that this is not a hot hatch in hiking boots. There’s some body roll, the steering is accurate rather than engaging, and the HR-V gently suggests you calm yourself down and enjoy the view. And honestly? That’s fine. This car knows exactly what it is.
Fuel economy – quietly excellent
Honda’s hybrid system continues to impress when it comes to fuel efficiency. Driven sensibly – which is how most HR-V owners will drive it – mid-50s mpg is entirely achievable without trying too hard. In urban driving, it can do even better, thanks to how often it runs in EV mode.
What’s particularly nice is that you don’t have to “game” the system. There’s no endless regeneration paddles or eco coaching screens nagging you. Just drive normally, and the HR-V rewards you by not rinsing your bank account every time you visit the petrol station.
All roads and surfaces – confidence without pretence
On wet roads, greasy roundabouts and wintery B-roads, the HR-V feels secure and predictable. Front-wheel drive is the only option, and Honda isn’t pretending otherwise. Traction control steps in smoothly when needed, and the car always feels like it’s got your back.
This is a confidence-inspiring car rather than an exciting one, and for its target audience that’s exactly right. It doesn’t encourage daft behaviour, but it also never feels nervous or skittish.
Off-road ability – let’s be honest
This is The Mud Life, so we have to talk about off-road ability. And the honest answer is: not much. The HR-V isn’t designed for green lanes, muddy fields or anywhere that requires chunky tyres and low-range gearing. Ground clearance is modest, there’s no AWD option, and the tyres are very much road-biased.
That said, it’ll happily cope with the sort of “soft-roading” most owners actually encounter. Wet campsites, gravel tracks, muddy car parks at country shows and the odd farm track are all well within its comfort zone if you use a bit of common sense. Just don’t expect it to follow a Grenadier into the woods without ending in tears.
Interior – light, airy and very usable
Climb inside and you’re greeted by one of the HR-V’s biggest strengths: its interior design. Honda has absolutely nailed the balance between modern tech and old-school usability.
The cabin feels airy and well thought out, with slim pillars and a low dashboard giving excellent visibility. Materials are good rather than flashy, but everything feels solid and well screwed together – exactly what you’d expect from Honda.
Seats are comfortable front and rear, with enough support for longer journeys. The driving position is spot on, with plenty of adjustment and a clear, uncluttered view ahead. Passengers in the back get decent legroom and headroom, even for taller adults, which isn’t always a given in this class.
Storage is another Honda strong suit. Door bins are generous, the centre console is practical, and there are plenty of little cubbies for phones, snacks and the usual family detritus.
Boot space – muddy dogs and camping tat
The boot is a good, usable shape rather than a cavernous one. It’s not class-leading on paper, but in real life it works well. The load lip is sensibly low, making it easy to lift in shopping, camping gear or a mildly offended muddy dog.
Honda’s clever rear seats – which flip up cinema-style if needed – add an extra layer of practicality. They’re ideal for tall items, awkward loads or dogs who prefer a bit more headroom.
With a dog blanket down and the seats folded, it’ll happily swallow tents, chairs, cooking kit and all the usual weekend-away nonsense that seems to multiply the moment you leave the house.
Tech and pet peeves – Honda mostly gets it right
This is where the HR-V scores some serious brownie points. The infotainment system is clear, responsive and – crucially – not trying to do too much. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both present and work without fuss.
Even better, Honda has retained proper physical controls for the heater and climate system. Real buttons. Real dials. You can adjust the temperature without taking your eyes off the road or stabbing at a touchscreen like you’re playing Whac-A-Mole. This alone deserves a round of applause.
As for driver aids, lane departure warning and friends are all present, but they’re not overly intrusive. Better still, they’re relatively easy to switch off if – like me – you don’t enjoy being told off by your car every time you go near a white line on a narrow Yorkshire B-road. It still takes a couple of button presses, but it’s nowhere near as painful as some rivals.
Verdict – sensible, sorted and quietly brilliant
The 2025 Honda HR-V isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, and thank goodness for that. Instead, it focuses on being easy to live with, economical to run and pleasant to drive – and it absolutely nails all three.
It won’t appeal to badge chasers or adrenaline junkies, and it’s not going to star in anyone’s “extreme overlanding build” Instagram feed. But for real people, living real lives, driving real roads, it makes an enormous amount of sense.
Overall, it isn’t remotely exciting, but it is smooth, refined and has a thoughtful interior with proper controls. It’s the kind of car you grow to appreciate more with every mile. Quietly competent, thoughtfully designed and refreshingly free of nonsense. In short, it’s proper Honda stuff – and that’s very much a compliment.
Website: Honda UK HR-V