HR-V is not quite the unchartered territory discovered by the company in September 1997, when the larger, family-oriented CR-V broke into the soon to boom recreational 4WD market. More than anything else, HR-V represents an important design departure for Honda. With a sporty headlight treatment and chunky styling cues from every angle, it looks cheeky and cheerful like no other Honda before it. Scant underbody protection, basic 4WD system and limited ground clearance: HR-V does not pretend to be an explorer the calibre of bigger 4x4s. The appealing exterior is not downgraded upon entering the car, with blue highlights on the seats, doors, instruments and switchgear - and a high level of quality.