1999 Honda HR-V 4WD from UK and Ireland - Comments

Wheel Bearing had to be replaced (free of charge).

Remote central locking sometimes does not respond.

Rear windscreen washer stopped. (fixed free of charge)

I bought this car as a bit of fun and wanted to tow a jetski occasionally over the summer months. So far it has been a success. The car could do with a larger engine, but it goes fairly well for a 1.6 in an offroad car and revs eagerly all the way to the red-line. However, I seem to only get 32mpg at best on a long journey and about 27 worst in town driving. As for towing I've been faily impressed. It seems to manage the 450kg trailer with ease on the road. When going off-road and pulling it up pebble filled slip ways the 4wd system seems to work fairly well although could do with a center locking diff. It also seems to have enough ground clearance for what most people need. So far I've only got it stuck once, but that was with a 1 tonne trailer on wet grass so is understandable.

As for real world driving, it handles well and steering is good although fairly poor tyres (which are also expensive) are poor both on the road and off it for grip, but do seem to last a long time (28k and still going!). The front seats are fairly comfy too and its practical as long as you don't have children or pets to lug around. I can get a considerable amount of furniture in it!

I'm particularly impressed with the car in town driving. I can see above most traffic and the steering is very light in town (speed-sensitive). Its also very easy to park considering its no longer than a 3 door civic. However, its the motorway journeys its not so good with. It revs to high at anything over 60mph (70=3600rpm) although at 30mph it sits happily in 5th gear.

So overall, I believe this is a good buy if you want something that looks different and can do everything fairly well.

Regarding the comment about revving at 'higher' speeds, the reviewer is mistaken. 3600 rpm at 70 is very reasonable for a car which develops best torque at about 3000rpm. I drive a Millenium model with 75000 currently on the clock and find it a brilliant car to drive. It takes 6000 revs in top if called on and is deceptively quick on the road. Coupled with the ability to look down on the plebs without being threatening it is a very 'diplomatic' vehicle ie it does not inflame road-ragers, though boy-racers get a shock when it passes them and they can't catch it. Love this car to bits and hope to get 200,000 out of it as it has given no trouble at all in those 75,000.