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IT is a good time to be in the market for a well-priced, feature-laden, stylish small SUV. There are plenty in the market today, but arguably the finest of them all has just been introduced.You may have heard of all the hype surrounding the all new Honda HR-V, and you have to give the creative young minds at Honda Malaysia credit for the well placed and perfectly executed promotions for the HR-V.
The HR-V, which stands for Hip and Smart Runabout Vehicle, is one of those cars you know is going to be a runaway success when you first lay eyes on it.There is very little not to like about it, and it is one of those cars that makes perfect sense in a topsy-turvy automotive market where buyers are bombarded with options after options.
How can you argue against a grand design, economy and practicality? You just can't. It must be said that the design of the HR-V is its most striking feature, if this is the direction Honda is heading with all of its cars in the future; its Japanese competitors truly have something to be worried about. Toyota especially.
As with most modern cars, the design of the new HR-V was sculpted by aerodynamics to minimise wind resistance, lower drag and increase efficiency.The overall design of the HR-V offers a coupe-ish silhouette, further accentuated by the noticeable lack of rear door handles, which have been strategically incorporated in the rear roof pillars ala Alfa Giulietta.
The front is a combination of sweeping lines and air inlets while the top of the line HR-V comes with LED headlamps. While the front may feature a fascinating array of design lines, which may not be to all tastes, the rear is perfectly simple and balanced.
The HR-V is not very tall, so placing large heavy items at the rear will not be too much of a chore. And if you do need to lug large heavy items, the HR-V has a neat party trick to help you with that too.Boot space is a class-leading 437 litres, and this goes up to an impressive 1032 litres. It is not the biggest boot in its class when the seats are folded, but Honda's Ultra Seats first seen in the Jazz are also offered in the HR-V.
This means you get all the space you need to store tall, long or wide items. And then there are the many storage compartments, including an intelligently designed phone pocket placed right next to your thigh.It holds most phones in place, but not the iPhone 6 Plus, or those of its size. There is also a cubby hole placed underneath the gear lever console which is where the USB and HDMI ports are placed.
This 'hole' in the console is handy when you want to store items you don't normally use a lot, but not so handy when you want to get something quick, like a Smart Tag. But there are plenty of storage spots and an impressive seven cup holders, so you have a lot of options.
The overall feel of the interior is typically Honda, well-thought out with a healthy dose of softtouch plastics complete with faux stitching, chrome, leather and fabric, depending on which variant you opt for.Owners of the new Jazz and City will find the interior of the HR-V a very familiar place; the steering wheel, seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, touch panel air-conditioning as well as the gear level are all shared across the model line. But in the HR-V, there is a more upmarket feel to everything, especially in the top of the line V variant.
You really will not find much to complain about the inside, there is generous living space everywhere, and taller folks will find the rear seats rather generous with knee room as well. However, the design and spaciousness of the interior aside, there is one complaint though; the three air conditioning vents facing the front passenger. Why you would need three vents for one passenger is baffling.Honda explains that though there are three, each vent is placed at a different angle so as to create a swirling effect of cold air around the cabin.
A design move that sounds good in theory, but personal experience of sitting in the back revealed that very little of that cold air actually reaches the back. But that is the only complain, everything else comes together perfectly. Though the HR-V is based on the City, it is powered by a bigger engine, the 1.8-litre i-VTEC fourcylinder, the same engine that powers the Civic 1.8. Power is channeled to the front wheels via a Continuous Variable Transmission, and is rated at 139hp and 172Nm of torque.
The engine and power will not impress those who appreciate explosive performance, but it feels brisk and urgent enough for city roads and urban conditions. It does, however, run out of breath at higher rpm's, but it is all in the name of fuel economy.So when you really need to hunker down for acceleration, just shift the gear lever into Sport and let the powertrain muster out every last horsepower for you.
However, it needs to be pointed out that the HR-V and its powertrain is most suited for highway drives and traffic conditions, and that is where it feels most at home rather than keeping up with fast traffic.Driving the HR-V is a truly pleasant experience, and it delivers more than what you pay for it. The ride quality though, is not the most impressive as it tends to ensure you feel any type of road unevenness.
You also get a generous amount of body roll, which, to be fair, is to be expected from a tall car. But, the interior is well insulated from the outside world, and you barely hear the wind and road. From all that has been said, the Honda HR-V is already a winner, and that is before delving into all the creature comforts available for the top end variants like the Smart Entry system, Cruise Control, rearview camera and SIRI eyes free mode.
And best of all, while some full-fledged SUV's are still offering two airbags, the HR-V offers six and also an electric parking brake with auto hold function that lets you take your foot off the brake on an incline.There is also the Hill Start Assist that prevents the car from rolling backward before accelerating. Impressive is an understatement when it comes to the HR-V, it is perfectly executed inside and out, and is arguably the finest crossover SUV in the market today.
Priced at RM99,800 for the entry level S variant, RM108,800 for the E variant and RM118,800 for the top of the line V variant, this is one of the few cars that actually gives you a lot more than you pay for, and that is all that matters.
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