Honda is keen to talk up how it pioneered the crossover segment with the launch of the original HR-V in 1999.
What’s harder for the company to answer is why it failed to replace it in 2005, abandoning the segment to Nissan and its Qashqai. The obvious conclusion is it misjudged the market; cynics might suggest succession-planning isn’t Honda’s strong suit, pointing to the FR-V, CR-Z, Accord and S2000 as further evidence.
At 4294mm, the new HR-V is a foot longer than its predecessor, and the same amount shorter than its big brother, the CR-V. The exterior has something of the Mazda CX-5 about it – notably the coupe-like roof that drops at the rear – although the shallow Y-shaped nose creates a visual link to the current Civic and forthcoming Jazz.
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