Honda is continuing to give its vehicles a more sporty edge – with some impressive results.
Hot on the heels of the Civic Sport and the Jazz Sport, the Japanese firm has introduced the HR-V Sport to its increasingly dynamic line-up.
The range-topping Sport variant has arrived soon after the HR-V was given a mid-life refresh, which moved it closer visually to the CR-V.
With some manufacturers, the sport trim amounts to little more than a new nameplate and some aggressive-looking alloys.
However, Honda has taken things rather more seriously, with the sport version getting a thorough performance upgrade among a raft of model-specific features designed to transform the character of this subcompact SUV.
At the heart of the changes is the tried and tested 1.5 VTEC turbo engine previously used in the Civic Sport.
With its182PS, the unit feels potent enough to get a move on in most everyday situations, achieving the sprint from 0-62mph in under eight seconds.
On this test car, the powerplant was twinned with a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox, although the car is also available with the latest-generation CVT for those who don’t like a manual box.
A slight drawback is the fact the engine - despite being potent and fairly economical - doesn’t sound too great, creating a droning sound in the cabin under heavy acceleration.
The extra power transfers to the tarmac quite nicely, with the car offering excellent traction through the corners and providing torque of 240nm.
Bespoke performance dampers and suspension revisions help with performance, with Honda succeeding in sharpening the car’s body movements without ruining the ride quality.
The steering also feels accurate and subtly weighted, partly thanks to a variable-ratio electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system.
The HR-V feels well planted when cornering, with body roll well contained.
Externally, the changes have given an already-good looking car an even sharper appearance.
Revised bumpers and skirts, high-gloss black trim, more pronounced arches and larger-diameter lightweight alloy wheels are among the stylistic changes.
Once inside, the cabin feels like a nice place to be thanks to a bespoke combination of soft-touch, wine-red leather and black fabric seat facing.
The theme continues as the wine-red swathes continue on the dashboard, adding a touch of sporting elegance to the model and singling the Sport out from the rest of the HR-V range.
The layout is practical, with all the main dials and controls within easy reach of the driver, but the technology in the cabin seems a little dated, with the central infotainment screen a bit lacking in comparison to the very best in class.
The CR-V is roomy, with good head and leg room for front and rear seat occupants and a decent boot too.
So, when viewed in isolation, it's an excellent all-round car - powerful, spacious, good looking and fairly frugal.
However, when you view it in comparison to its rivals, the decision on whether or not to buy one isn't quite so straightforward.
You see, pricing of around £28,000 brings the HR-V Sport into direct competition with some illustrious rivals and will inevitably result in buyers comparing it to models from different segments.
As well as the array of other sporty crossovers, it could also be in competition with some of the best hot hatches on the market.
That said, there's no doubt whatsoever that Honda has done an excellent job in giving the HR-V some hot hatch characteristics.
Only the buyer can decide whether the car's extra poke is worth the money.
Honda HR-V Sport
ENGINE: 1.5-litre VTEC turbo
PRICE: £27,840 on the road (£28,365 as tested)
PERFORMANCE: Max speed of 134mph and 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds
ECONOMY: 42.2mpg combined and emissions of 151g/km
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual
