Now everything is not easy in Ukraine: here you see a complete review of this car, but you won’t be able to go and buy it right tomorrow – you’ll have to wait (I’ll explain in detail in the text). However, just know that it’s worth the wait! Because the new Honda HR – V is clearly a success: a high level of technology and equipment, details, interesting appearance and interior, amazing fuel efficiency. So, first things first…
Positioning Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V is a compact crossover, as it has always been since 1998. It was then that the world saw the first incarnation of the Honda HR-V, and initially it was only available in a 3-door body, and a 5-door version was added later. The second generation of the Honda HR-V model was released in 2013, among the countless versions there was even a modification Honda HR-V Sport : interesting and original in its own way. In February 2021, the third generation Honda HR-V debuted. As before, there is an identical crossover, but with the original Honda Vezel name. Now there is a flip side of the coin: for the US market there is an original crossover, but with the identical name Honda HR-V. However, now we are talking about the European version of HR-V.
For about a quarter of a century and three generations, the Honda HR – V has been a compact crossover. In the first generation there were versions with different numbers of doors, in the second there was a powerful Sport version, the third is distinguished by the e : HEV hybrid powertrain . It is this hybrid crossover Honda HR – V that became the hero of this article.
How does a Honda HR-V drive?
Unexpectedly comfortable and pleasant. First of all, I note the suspension of the car. Now it is tuned more with an emphasis on comfort, it perfectly absorbs almost all bumps, the crossover “flies” over pits and ledges with light slaps of tires and a barely noticeable swaying of the body. Sometimes there is a feeling of a completely independent suspension. But this feeling is instantly knocked out by a speed bump or any large transverse joint on the road: after all, the rear wheels, suspended on an ordinary beam, sometimes remind of themselves with an unpleasant kick. But this is only one remark against the background of a general positive impression of comfort.
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Including comfort during acceleration: the hybrid makes itself felt! Getting started, accelerating on the move in the city, changing lanes with overtaking – all this happens with traction from an electric motor. What does the linearity of reactions and the continuity of acceleration mean. Sometimes you notice that acceleration has already begun and only then the gasoline engine is connected: the sound of its work is a little late for acceleration. But when accelerating with the pedal “to the floor”, the gasoline engine floats a little in speed, the car seems to imitate gear changes in the “automatic”. Although it, in fact, is not here: an e-CVT electromechanical transmission is used, which is easy to control. Perhaps the only significant remark in the driving performance of the car I will put forward not even to its suspension, but to sound insulation: I would like to muffle as much as possible not only the operation of the internal combustion engine, but also the rolling of the tires that can be heard while driving on electric traction.
Appearance, let’s say, for an amateur: on the one hand – a flat hood, an abundance of straight lines, a silhouette with littered rear pillars; on the other hand, there is an unusually absent rear bumper, which gives the impression of a cropped rear end. But you forget about everything as soon as you find yourself behind the wheel of a Honda HR – V. Firstly, because the car drives nicely. Not “sporty” (although 0-100 km / h is given faster than a passport), namely “pleasant”: reactions to the accelerator and steering wheel, smoothness and continuity of acceleration, suspension work. And secondly…
And secondly, because inside the Honda HR-V you will find a magnificent interior. Usually I note the front part of the cabin for its spaciousness, but here I can praise it for fiction. The combination of materials and colors, metallized trim parts, a little bit of orange decor, nice leather on the steering wheel, contrast stitching on the seats – everything is assembled into a single ensemble that simply pleases. Against this background, you almost forget about the basic points of ergonomics: the seats are of a normal size and sufficient ranges of adjustment, quite decent forward visibility, plus good rear visibility – thanks to the large side mirrors.
It looks like you can’t imagine anything like that from behind. But Honda has one thing to offer: Magic Seats that literally rediscover the possibility of using the interior space! At the same time, the seats can also be folded backwards (generally familiar scheme), increasing the volume of the trunk. Plus, there are also ventilation deflectors, a niche-box and charging ports, an armrest and cup holders.
Great salon! The front part attracts not so much with space (just “normal”), but with attention to detail and elaboration of trifles. But the back part attracts just with space and transformation opportunities. Plus, the trunk: nominally, it has become a little smaller than the previous one, but in reality it is still quite large, and a lifting curtain and an electric drive for opening / closing the lid simplify the loading process.
Is there innovation in the Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V is built on the GSP platform, which offers familiar and standard solutions: a load-bearing body, a front-mounted engine, MacPherson strut independent suspension at the front and a semi-independent rear transverse beam. However, there is at least one interesting feature: the aforementioned Magic Seats system has led to the transfer of the fuel base under the front seats. In parallel, this made it possible to make the most flat and even floor in the rear of the cabin, only a small ledge remained.
But, of course, the main feature of the Honda HR-V model is the e:HEV hybrid system, which we got acquainted with in detail on the examples of the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Honda Jazz cars. The last example is particularly similar – in the case of the Honda HR-V, we have a 1.5-liter gasoline engine (106 hp) with an Atkinson cycle and front-wheel drive. The example is similar but not identical. For the Honda HR-V model, the power of the electric motor (131 hp) and the PCU (Power Control Unit) were increased, the number of cells in the battery was increased, some hybrid components received liquid cooling instead of the previous air. It also used its own main pair, more “powerful”: it provides improved acceleration and more traction on the wheels. Finally, stepwise adjustment of the intensity of recuperation and the ability to select one of three driving modes have been added.
The hybrid system is generally familiar from other Honda cars – if you describe its logic of operation in one phrase, I will say this: “the electric motor is the main one here.” In most cases, the car drives just on the electric drive, and the gasoline engine only rotates the generator to generate electricity. But at a speed of about 100 km / h, the gasoline engine can already be directly connected to the wheels. The gasoline engine, electric motor, control units are hidden under the hood, but the battery has found a place in the trunk. The hybrid offers a choice of driving mode – the usual “ D ” ( Drive ) or “ B ” ( Brake ), and in the latter case, the maximum fourth level of recuperation is turned on. If desired, recuperation can also be controlled using the paddles under the steering wheel: each click gives one step out of four possible. Finally, a DRIVE MODE switch is provided for a complex change of settings – for example, in SPORT mode, the responses to the accelerator pedal become sharper and the second stage of recuperation is activated.
Honda HR-V price and its competitors
It seems that everything is simple: in Ukraine, the Honda HR-V crossover is available only as a hybrid, you can choose only one of three fixed configurations. But there are nuances. The start of sales was scheduled for the beginning of this year, they managed to import the first batch of cars – they were sold out. But further deliveries “stand up”, new deliveries of cars are expected only by the end of this year or at the very beginning of the next. In fact, the launch of the Honda HR-V crossover has shifted from early 2022 to early 2023. But still, thanks to the first deliveries, we managed to get a test car and tell the Ukrainians about this model. Due to such a difficult situation, car prices are also “with reservations”. Although you can give directions.
Honda HR – V crossover starts with Elegance trim level: e:HEV hybrid drive, six airbags/curtain airbags, Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Forward Collision Warning System (FCW), Collision Warning System (CMBS), Departure Warning System Road Sign Control (RDM), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Intelligent Speed Limiter (ISL), Keyless Entry and Push Button Start, Climate Control, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Heated Front Seats, Rear View Camera, Magic Seats Rear Seats , multimedia Honda Connect and 9-inch display, LED headlights, 18-inch wheels. Price Honda HR – V Elegance – about 29 thousand euros.
One level up is the Honda HR – V Advance version , which adds: control of the “blind” zones of the mirrors, the assistance system when leaving the parking space in reverse, the combined upholstery of the seats “fabric / leather”, silver decor in the cabin, heated steering wheel and rest areas wiper blades, 2-zone “climate”, an electric boot with an opening sensor and a Walk Away function, etc. The price of the Honda HR – V Advance is about 31 thousand euros.
The maximum option is the crossover Honda HR – V Advance Style , which additionally offers: an eight-speaker audio system plus a subwoofer, wireless charging for a smartphone, orange decor in the cabin and on the side moldings, 2-color body color, cornering light function. Price Honda HR – V Advance Style – about 34 thousand euros.
The test car was presented in the maximum version, which means a lot of “pleasant little things”: LED headlights get an additional block for cornering illumination, an orange line is drawn along the moldings, a similar orange decor is present in the cabin, and the sound of the audio system with a separate subwoofer draws on the “premium” prefix without any premium titles. Separate pleasure – ceiling lamp with touch control or clear clicks when adjusting the temperature of the “climate”. Yes, and supported by color illumination: you make it cooler – and the blue color appears, you make it warmer – red. Another “trick” of climate control is the side ventilation deflectors, which can disperse air, creating the effect of a breeze. Plus, extensive equipment: row control, adaptive cruise, heated steering wheel, modern multimedia system with a 9-inch display (remember Honda Jazz again ), a combined instrument panel – a familiar arrow speedometer and a large color display. How will competitors respond?
There are a lot of similar compact crossovers: here is a selection-comparison of Japanese models (and do not forget the new Nissan Qashqai ), here is another similar material – already with an emphasis on “Europeans”. But among dozens of cars, I would like to highlight five models that are the most interesting alternative to the Honda HR-V. First, it’s Toyota C-HR : a well-known name and a wide range of trim levels, there are two hybrid options at once – including a powerful 184-horsepower version. Secondly, this is the Mazda CX-30 : there are more versions to choose from, all-wheel drive is available, power is higher, and the starting price tag is lower. The third option is the Peugeot 2008 crossover: an economical turbodiesel and powerful gasoline engines, different configurations allow you to lower the starting price or gain maximum equipment. Another interesting “European” is Volkswagen T-Roc : it rides well, has a powerful engine, and a recent update has given a high-quality interior. Finally, I’ll add Hyundai Tucson fifth: it can offer front or all-wheel drive, gasoline or diesel engines, a wide range of trim levels, and a spacious interior.
I noted only five cars that I consider the most dangerous rivals for the new Honda HR – V. But in reality there are 2-3 times more competitors. But the Honda HR – V crossover is also not easy: it meets its rivals with a spacious and well-thought-out interior, a high level of equipment, and if we add an economical hybrid …
Honda HR-V fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance
When driving in the city, the car is content with 4.3-4.5 liters of fuel per 100 km – an excellent result for a crossover of this size, format, and power. At the same time, the style of movement and / or congestion has little effect on consumption: I had a maximum of 5.1 liters per 100 kilometers in the city. On the highway at a speed of 80-90 km / h, the consumption is about 4.5 liters per 100 km – while the car periodically rides on an electric motor or internal combustion engine, alternating and switching between them. At a speed of 110-120 km / h, fuel consumption is 6.5 liters per 100 km – while (according to the diagram on the display and your ears), the gasoline engine is already running constantly.
The general warranty for the car is three years or 100,000 km (whichever comes first). The warranty for the components of the hybrid system is five years or 100,000 kilometers. Service maintenance is required every 15 thousand km or once a year.
Honda HR-V Safety
EuroNCAP crash tests for the Honda HR-V ended with a rating of four out of five stars. On the one hand, in frontal impacts, many zones on the driver and front passenger dummies are marked with “yellow” zones (normal safety) and not green (good safety). On the other hand, there are no critical failures (brown / red mark) and good ratings for safety in side impacts. Plus good marks for the safety of children, protection of pedestrians, the operation of preventive safety systems. So we got the final rating of four stars: a sort of “strong middling”.
Eventually
I remember how many complaints I had about the previous generation of the Honda HR-V model: a strange suspension, a noisy and weakly moving engine, a limited set of equipment. In the pros was only salon. However, now this plus has been preserved, but a lot of others have been added: a hybrid system, modern equipment, driving comfort, improved dynamics.
This car must not be approached with a swoop. Otherwise, all you will remember about the new generation Honda HR-V is its high price. But she’s justified! And the more you study this crossover, the more you are convinced of this. Surprising are those metamorphoses, the depth of changes that have occurred with the car when changing generations. I will say this: if earlier the Honda HR-V crossover was just a “class player”, now it is definitely one of its best representatives.
Pros:
Hybrid – very economical and versatile
Amazing attention to detail, attention to detail
Exemplary space and the possibility of transforming the cabin, as for its class
Minuses:
There are no simple versions (regular motor, simpler equipment) with a low starting price “from”
There are no all-wheel drive versions, although a number of competitors already have
Specifications Honda HR – V e : HEV
Body – crossover, 5 doors, 5 seats
Dimensions – 4.34 x 1.79 x 1.58 m
Wheelbase – 2.61 m
Clearance – 188 mm
Trunk – from 304 liters (5 seats) to 1274 liters (2 seats)
Load capacity – 490 kg
Minimum curb weight – 1380 kg
Engine – hybrid powertrain, 1.5 liter R4 gasoline engine plus electric motor
The power of the traction electric motor is 131 hp.
Traction motor torque – 253 Nm
Specific power and torque – 95 hp per 1 ton and 183 Nm per 1 ton
Drive – front drive
Transmission – “automatic” e-CVT (electromechanical transmission)
Dynamics 0-100 km / h – 10.7 s
Maximum speed – 170 km / h
Passport consumption, city – 3.1 liters per 100 km
Passport consumption, highway – 4.8 liters per 100 km
Test vehicle tires – Michelin Primacy 4 225/50R18
The minimum price of a car is from about 29 thousand euros
