Been hunting for months for the next car that could be "right" for me, and I believe the HR-V Hybrid e:HEV ('21-'24) could potentially be it. It is more "claustrophobically sporty" inside than I had imagined, but that's not a deal-breaker for me.

Having read the reviews, I had dreaded the "awful" and "extremely loud" engine noise that supposedly kicks in when you floor the pedal. To my surprise, I didn't find it to be that annoying.
Of course, coming from a full EV, I can't say the noise is welcome, but it doesn't bother me as much as expected. Also, despite complaints about the rear suspension or the brakes, I had no issues; the quality of the ride—including how it deals with bumps and potholes—is quite well-managed.

BUT (there's always at least one, isn't there?):

1. Road Noise: My impression was that the tires produce more road noise than most cars I've driven. I'm not sure whether it's the stock tires or poor cabin isolation. I later drove my own car on the same roads (a much cheaper 2021 MG ZS EV) and didn't hear nearly as much road noise as I did in the HR-V.
2. The Seats: I actually liked the back support, but I found the seats to be quite firm. It reminds me of sportier cars, which is a ride type I personally dislike.

Owners, I would love your input on those two points! Other than that, I have to say all other elements met my expectations, and some even exceeded them.

I tried running on 3 different PCs. It keeps crashing. Sometimes after several hours. Sometimes in less than an hour.

What is the latest STABLE version you run?

First, I'll explain why these models are my finalists, though I welcome other recommendations.

Background & Context

• Usage: I live in the UK and work from home. My adult children (early 20s) live abroad.
• Current Car: MG ZS EV (45 kWh). It suffices for grocery and local shopping trips but fails on leisure cross-country journeys due to its limited range and frequent public charging "handshake" software issues.
• Financing Stance: I am buying with cash (~£20k budget) and will not consider PCP or HP. I prefer to avoid paying £15k–£30k over 3 years to absorb steep depreciation alongside 10%+ interest rates.

Next Car Preferences

• Body Style & Seating: SUV with a high driving position.
• Performance & Dynamics: Soft, comfort-oriented ride (not stiff/sporty). RWD or AWD preferred (not mandatory).
• Range & Efficiency: Long-distance capability (no stopping to charge every 100 miles); low cost-per-mile relative to mid-luxury standards.
• Interior & Tech: Highly insulated, quiet cabin; above-average sound system; high-quality infotainment; minimum 400L boot capacity.
• Safety: Advanced safety suites, specifically including Level 2 autonomous driving / predictive cruise control.
• Ownership: High reliability with good extended warranty options.
• Target Market (at £20k): Looking at models like the Audi Q4 e-tron or Volvo C40, which at this price point will be at the end of or just past their 3-year factory warranty, showing 30,000–45,000 miles.
• Intangibles: Must love how the car looks and feels.

Specific Exclusions & Notes

• Skoda Enyaq 62 kWh: Almost perfect for this list—even leaving a £2k–£4k surplus—but excluded solely because this brand fails to generate any emotional excitement with me.
• PHEVs: Considered models with 12–14 kWh batteries for daily pure-EV commuting, but none that I found met the criteria listed above.

I’d love to hear your suggestions if you think I’ve missed a great alternative.

First, I'll explain why these models are my finalists, though I welcome other recommendations.

Background & Context

• Usage: I live in the UK and work from home. My adult children (early 20s) live abroad.
• Current Car: MG ZS EV (45 kWh). It suffices for grocery and local shopping trips but fails on leisure cross-country journeys due to its limited range and frequent public charging "handshake" software issues.
• Financing Stance: I am buying with cash (~£20k budget) and will not consider PCP or HP. I prefer to avoid paying £15k–£30k over 3 years to absorb steep depreciation alongside 10%+ interest rates.

Next Car Preferences

• Body Style & Seating: SUV with a high driving position.
• Performance & Dynamics: Soft, comfort-oriented ride (not stiff/sporty). RWD or AWD preferred (not mandatory).
• Range & Efficiency: Long-distance capability (no stopping to charge every 100 miles); low cost-per-mile relative to mid-luxury standards.
• Interior & Tech: Highly insulated, quiet cabin; above-average sound system; high-quality infotainment; minimum 400L boot capacity.
• Safety: Advanced safety suites, specifically including Level 2 autonomous driving / predictive cruise control.
• Ownership: High reliability with good extended warranty options.
• Target Market (at £20k): Looking at models like the Audi Q4 e-tron or Volvo C40, which at this price point will be at the end of or just past their 3-year factory warranty, showing 30,000–45,000 miles.
• Intangibles: Must love how the car looks and feels.

Specific Exclusions & Notes

• Skoda Enyaq 62 kWh: Almost perfect for this list—even leaving a £2k–£4k surplus—but excluded solely because this brand fails to generate any emotional excitement with me.
• PHEVs: Considered models with 12–14 kWh batteries for daily pure-EV commuting, but none that I found met the criteria listed above.

I’d love to hear your suggestions if you think I’ve missed a great alternative.