I bought my hrv (manual 4door non v-tec) in november 2000 when the car was 9 months old with 6000 miles on the clock. It has just clocked 100k with the only expenditure of two sets of tyres, two headlamp bulbs, services,mots, road fund licence and fuel. Bodywork still looks fantastic and still looks great on the drive. 4 wheel drive kicks in when needed,two sets of golf clubs and trollies fit in the back comfortably and my one regret is that Honda do not produce an hrv2. I hope this is not tempting fate but it has never let me down once, I cannot fault any aspect of this car and can only thank all those at Honda who had a hand in building this fabulous car

I bought my 3d HRV in Helsinki after a frightening winter trying to drive my volvo 740 on their Ice covered motorways. The Volvo handled like a boat!

Bought the honda second owner 90,000kms on tyhe clock.

The hydrolic 4wd box died in the dealers carpark when I collected the car, but was replaced on warranty.
The service to replace the cam-belts cost a fortune, but since, I have put another 120,000 on the clock without any issues.


Bought a small trailer, which I twice forgot about, resulting in bashed in rear wings. Broke the rear windscreen towing a tailer over rough ground (replacement window '500). So now looking for a replacement HRV :-)

The HR-V was good idea ruined by the CVT gearbox which is a toy better suited to snowmobiles. The gearbox in my 2 door blew up just after warranty expired. All tarmac driving(no snow in NE Aust). Honda Australia did come to my rescue though when it failed on a country trip, gave me a replacement car to get where I was going, completely replaced the gearbox for free. When I sold it 8 months later, the replacement was also failing, so I gave up on it. Rubber-band gearbox just didn't cut it I'm afraid.

prior to my HRV I had a Z4, Boxster and AMG in that order but needed something cheap and practical. I've owned my black 3dr non vtec HRV for 3 years,1 owner before me and only a low mileage of 15,000 on the clock when bought. A great car in the winter and just as good in the summer with it's A.C. Can't fault it in any way. Starts first time every time, cuts through the worst of snow, uphill and downhill I left other cars standing in winter 2010, great handling for it's class. Other than tyres, brakes and general servicing I have not had to spend a penny on it. I had a back injury which meant I could no longer drive low small cars, the HRV has been comfy too having driven it Glasgow to Birmingham and back a few times.

I have owned 4 HRVs and currently own 2 silver CVT transmission 4 doors. They are extremely reliable and can deal with urban streets as well as long journeys vet well (eg London to Stockholm in 2 days cruising at high speed - done several times so far). I have thrashed all of my cars with my driving style, but they perform uncomplainingly. The things you have to watch out for are all minor:

CVT Judder (3 out of my 4 HRVs had this) but which can be fixed simply by changing the transmission oil every 50,000 km, costs GBP 75 and the transmission performed perfectly after the 1/2 hour oil change which must be done by the garage as you need a special filler device. You don't need to spend a fortune for a new gearbox!
Body dents - the metal is quite thin but it does look great in metallic silver.
The Rear hatch latch gets stuck (2 out of 4) - just needs oiling
Small bits of plastic fall off the interior of one of them, but I never found out where from and it didn't affect the car at all.
Replace the standard bulbs with 50-100T brighter Phillips ones for better vision
Passenger side window air wind noise on 1 HRV cleared up by replacing window seal
Tyres kept going down - solved by having a garage scrape inside of alloys to remove reaction residue from rubber/alloy reaction after Km 70,000
Stiff gear level if the car is left un=driven for 2-3 months, I haven't found out why yet.

Tyre wear is fine, one one car has had the same winter tyres all year round for 5 years. Pirellis best.
Handling is superb especially the 3 door model.
I used the Low Gear Setting often in Sweden in Winter 2009 when there was snow for 6 months and -20 degrees weather - really useful to have 4WD (normally self -switchable 2WD which helps economy)
Thrashing the CVT gets great performance, albeit a bit noisy
I have packed my entire apartment in the car, it has amazing carrying capacity
The rear seats fold forward and backward - really useful
The 4 door has a less choppy ride than the 3 door, but does not have roller skate handling.

One HRV helped fetch a horse-rider with a broken thigh on a hill that the ambulance couldn't reach - so not too shabby off road when pressed.

I could afford any car under £40k but I choose the HRV because it is does everything at any time that I want it to.

Hope that is useful.

I recently noticed that the power steering flywheel is wobbling can anyone please shed light on its cause and how to correct it.
Cheers Gregg

I've really tried my HRV out this last winter (2009/2010) not once has it let me down, started first time every day in temperatures of -10C. Climbed up our steep drive in almost a foot of snow, traction on snow covered/un-gritted roads as sure as in normal conditions. Only one day didn't risk driving it that was when all local roads were covered in black ice/freezing rain. Otherwise, the serious snpow was no problem. Why on earth did thye stop manufauring this model?

We are on our second HR-V. Both have been pre registered with delivery mileage only. Our Green 2002(52) model was traded in for a black 2005(55) VTEC.
All later models have the VTEC engine and the extra power is a bonus although if ever a car could do with an 1800cc engine this is it. If you are thinking of buying a HR-V get one with a VTEC engine. They are great to drive, very practical, extremely reliable cars.
Downside:- The best mpg you'll get is around 34 for mixed conditions. Tyres are very expensive but do shop around. Paint tends to chip easily.

The Honda HRV 1.6i 4WD is a great car to have and to look at. It stands out from the crowd and there's never a danger of pulling up next to your twin at the traffic lights. Enjoyable and smooth ride on road (or mild 4WD offroading), spacious layout inside for 4 and a small-medium dog, easy to park, and reliable. Not a hatchback, not a 4x4, but a Crossover for all occasions. The only downfall is it isn't very economical for a 1.6L, although the vtec engine provides plenty of power for a 1.6L. Shame there isnt a 2.0L type r for the petrol-heads and 1.5L diesel for the eco-warriors!

I am a retired man and use the car very carefuully. But during therecent cold weather spell, I cannot open my boot lid remotely or manually with the key.
Has anyone got any advice! I will appreciate greatly.