Honda introduced the CR-V on the SUV segment in 1995, and it was a big hit right from the start.
But at the same time, the Japanese carmaker worked on a smaller project: the HR-V.

In 1999, there was a big confusion regarding the HR-V: nobody knew what that car was. It wasn’t an SUV, it wasn’t an MPV, and certainly, it was not a station wagon. The crossover name didn’t exist, and all the media considered the HR-V as a light sport-utility vehicle. It was more than that; it was the dawn of a new automotive era.

The car’s designers didn’t take anything from the Honda range. It was a vehicle designed from scratch, and the only limitations were the technical platform. With oddly shaped headlights that took some space into the front bumper and an inch tall grille, the HR-V was a mixed breed between a compact station wagon and an SUV. The roofline was ended with a small wing in the back and a flat tailgate. Only the taillights resembled, somehow, those installed on the CR-V. In the beginning, Honda introduced only the three-door version, which was considered more important for younger customers.

Inside, the High Recreational Vehicle (HR-V) offered enough space for five adults and a trunk big enough for a weekend in a mountain lodge. Thanks to its big window area and oversized, door-mirrors, the car offered a 4x4 vehicle feeling. It featured standard amenities such as air-conditioning, power windows, power steering, and a decent audio system.

Under the hood, Honda installed a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine with only 106 hp. It was paired to a 5-speed manual fitted as standard or a CVT as an option. Honda sold the car with either a front- or all-wheel-drive.