In distinction to a few of my counterparts who reside and breathe vehicles, I type of dread revealing what I do for a residing, however the “so, what do you do?” query is inevitable. The preliminary “web site” and “I write” solutions are by no means sufficient, which forces a full unmasking.
The revelation normally prompts two questions: “What’s the finest automobile you’ve pushed?” and “Is the brand new XXX (insert sizzling automobile of the season) good?”. A variation of the latter is asking which of two rivals is best. Some ask for the very best automobile inside a specified finances. Once more, many are pleased to play professional, however I don’t like being the transportation Thelma.
However when backed right into a nook that I can’t wriggle out of, there are a few dependable choices that I fall again on, again and again. The Honda HR-V is a type of vehicles. It’s the suitable match for therefore many individuals wanting an city runabout that’s an SUV (pattern), confirmed (OG of the section), sensible (finest inside packaging) and dependable (each the automobile and after-sales). In case you’re OK with the ubiquity, the HR-V is a type of vehicles that you just simply can’t go improper with.
Even within the earlier mannequin’s ultimate days, the qualities that made the HR-V an in a single day sensation again in 2015 remained intact within the face of youthful rivals. Now, we have now a brand new one that appears recent and extra premium, plus a broad vary of three powertrains. What do you suppose the decision can be?
Turbo, bro
You’ve already learn our evaluate of the third-generation ‘Hello-rider Revolutionary Car’ (the primary one was a boxy two-door oddball from the early 2000s, the one we’re aware of is the second automobile to hold the identify) in RS e:HEV hybrid kind.
Personally, I like hybrids and eking out good FC, however past the entry-level nationwide section and e-hailing drivers, gasoline effectivity doesn’t appear to be high precedence in a rustic the place petrol is closely subsidised, and hybrid variants of in style fashions normally aren’t in style because of this.
And so it’s with the brand new HR-V. Regardless of being decked out in sporty RS trim with all of the bells and whistles (in Malaysia, high variants are usually the most well-liked), the hybrid’s share of bookings (over 30k as of finish October) was 21%. Sounds low, however that’s already a lot larger than the one digits usually seen by Honda Malaysia. Mixed, the turbo fashions – E and V – make up the lion’s share of bookings at 70%, with the RM134,800 V alone answerable for greater than half of HR-V orders (57%).
What does this say? We like energy, and we don’t thoughts paying for prime specs. The latter has turn out to be very clear over the previous few years, and earlier than you say that solely the well-to-do are keen to shell out, Perodua’s AV vary toppers commonly high their mannequin gross sales breakdowns as effectively. Right here, we drive the HR-V Turbo V to see if it actually deserves the recognition.
Easy appeal
That is the primary time I’m sampling the brand new HR-V with the 1.5 litre turbocharged engine, which has 4 cylinders, 181 PS and 240 Nm of torque between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. The Turbo E is the quickest within the HR-V vary with an 0-100 km/h time of 8.7 seconds, a tenth quicker than the Turbo V you see right here, which is 23 kg heavier and rolls on 18-inch alloys (an inch bigger than the S and E). Prime pace is 200 km/h.
That makes the V almost two full seconds quicker than the hybrid within the century dash (RS 10.7 seconds), and its high pace is 30 km/h larger (RS 170 km/h). Typically, you don’t actually really feel on-paper variations on the transfer, but it surely’s fairly obvious right here – the turbo clearly accelerates quicker than the hybrid, whether or not standing or rolling.
That is the quickest the HR-V has ever been, and the pace must be fairly novel for Metropolis/Jazz folks who’re upgrading, in addition to previous-generation HR-V homeowners. Nonetheless, don’t count on kick within the again type of pick-up; at the side of the CVT, getting up to the mark is easy and easy, and that’s the way in which it must be in a every day driver. Whether or not you’re taking it simple or pushing, the HR-V Turbo is simply really easy.
The acceleration expertise (not the speed) isn’t very completely different from that within the Perodua Ativa, however right here, the method is smoother and considerably quieter, which provides to the effortlessness of all of it. In comparison with the RS hybrid, the Turbo is extra typical in the way in which it picks up pace and I can think about this “direct efficiency” to be extra agreeable to most.
The CVT is an ideal companion for the boosted engine. In case you’re coming from a current Japanese B-segment NA automobile, count on the identical effectivity in harnessing accessible energy, however with much less effort – because of turbo torque, you’re spending much less time on the throttle. In case you’re coming from a Proton CVT, you’re tremendous late to the celebration referred to as In the present day’s Commonplace.
The seamless gearbox is unobtrusive in every day driving and responsive sufficient in a quick cross nation drive, a lot in order that I utterly ignored the Sport mode and shift paddles. I can think about some utilizing Sport however not Eco, which blunts the throttle/response a lot that it looks like one thing has malfunctioned.
Balik kampung
The brand new HR-V is a unbelievable every day driver, however does its case collapse while you go additional and push tougher? By no means. Though the Honda isn’t as thrilling to drive as a Toyota C-HR when going all out (who does these items in a household SUV anyway?), it’s dynamically competent and an enchancment over the earlier mannequin. Instantly, the steering stands out for being meatier than anticipated.
Fast and exact, the helm can also be calm at a cruise. Regardless of the visibly larger floor clearance (196 mm, 26 mm larger than earlier than), excessive pace stability is sweet and first journey consolation is regular at speeds that we can not publish, with three adults and baggage. Likewise, physique roll isn’t a problem.
I think that rolling refinement, whereas improved, isn’t fairly as much as quietness of the Proton X70, which isn’t actually a shock on condition that the Geely SUV has a consolation focus typical of Chinese language vehicles. In any case, tyre roar isn’t deafening and I feel that the insulation is just about like what you’ll discover in a European automobile, which is to imply that an equal Toyota is prone to be quieter.
Additionally slightly Continental is the HR-V’s excessive pace journey and the way in which it handles patchy roads on the town on 18-inch wheels – not delicate however not uncomfortable both. This extra substantial really feel within the controls and the way in which the HR-V strikes can also be discovered within the newest Civic.
By the way in which, the brand new HR-V has a comparatively excessive perch, which I personally like. There are friends that really feel extra “car-like” in peak – off the bat, I can consider the Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross – so should you want one thing decrease, there are alternatives. However why SUV then?
Missed alternative?
It’s simple to discover a good driving place, and the seat base size is nearly proper for my 175 cm body. Consolation is sweet and there are not any ergonomic points, save for the top unit that’s angled away from the driving force. Sure, away.
Whereas this doesn’t actually have an effect on operation and there are not any undesirable reflections of your passenger’s chest (you may’t unsee this within the newest Proton Iriz/Persona), it annoys me nonetheless, and the angle additionally forces the driving force to have a look at the edges of the top unit – particularly, the depth of the “CRT TV” fashion HU, a reminder that you just don’t get a freestanding display right here like within the Civic.
Zoom out and also you’ll discover that the HR-V’s horizontal-style sprint isn’t as fairly because the Civic’s. Sans the FE’s speaker grille-style cowl for the air vent strip, it’s fairly drab in right here, and the protected all-black theme (with very minor lashings of metallic) doesn’t assist. Product planners will say that Malaysian patrons are a conservative bunch in relation to colors, and so they’re most likely right, however Proton has been daring with its X SUVs and so they’re doing all proper.
Talking of cabins, the earlier HR-V’s cockpit was sports activities car-like with a tall centre console and minimalist format. It felt fairly particular, extra so when rendered in two-tone. If this sounds acquainted, it’s the identical rant from our first drive of the RV again in June. Proper after that evaluate went up, Honda launched first photographs of the next-generation CR-V and all of it grew to become clear – to get a Civic cabin in an SUV, you’ve bought to pony as much as a CR-V. Truthful sufficient.
Don’t get me improper, that is nonetheless a nice and useful inside, simply not very thrilling after the massive design shift of the outside, which we lined intimately right here. A little bit of a missed alternative in my books however maybe the standard HR-V proprietor received’t discover dullness to be a problem.
Security and practicality
Shifting to the rear, Honda’s Extremely Seats mix with usually nice packaging to make the HR-V an awesome choice for a small household. Legroom is absolutely beneficiant and I may even cross my legs (suppose inventory picture of a person in a go well with studying a broadsheet newspaper) on the again, with the entrance seat set to my driving place.
Headroom isn’t as ample, however I match effectively with a palm’s peak left – in case you have common backbenchers who’re 180 cm and above, do strive it out for dimension. The steep angle of the roofline plunges behind rear seat heads, in case you’re questioning. On the transfer, I respect the lengthy rear home windows that forestalls the area from being claustrophobic (it might simply have turn out to be that, with the physique’s excessive shoulders and all-black cabin) plus nifty touches just like the arm-level door cupholder and telephone slot within the map pockets.
When it debut, the earlier HR-V had extra boot area than SUVs from the next section, one thing you wouldn’t have guessed based mostly on the footprint. As soon as once more, few could be unhappy with the cargo quantity on provide right here – Extremely Seats for tall gadgets apart, even the hybrid’s flooring is flat with the seats folded. In distinction, the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s flooring has a notch to accommodate the extra {hardware}. Cyclists, with the rear seats folded, there’s sufficient area for 2 mountain bikes with their entrance wheels eliminated.
Practicality apart, security is one other field that the top must test off and the HR-V obliges. The Honda Sensing lively security and driver help suite – with the newest wide-view digicam – is normal throughout the vary, and there’s even hill descent management. The latter’s solely use in a automobile just like the HR-V might be to keep away from a clean button. Turbo and hybrid fashions get six airbags (4 the the NA), whereas LaneWatch is from the V onwards.
A be aware on Sensing, which is among the higher ADAS methods on the market. No huge deal since even Perodua gives it, I hear you say. Nicely, it’s factor that P2 prioritises security in inexpensive vehicles, however the ACC and lane centering has extra finesse right here, with much less extreme braking/acceleration and smoother tracing of the road. It’s an actual pleasure to make use of.
That stated, I feel that LaneWatch is inferior to the easy blind spot monitoring that everybody else employs. Will Honda at some point eat humble pie and flow? By no means say by no means, as even Lexus has ditched its mouse and pad for a touchscreen!
Turbo or hybrid?
Honda’s present vary of e:HEV hybrids are basically EVs on the town, easy and quiet as you navigate start-stop visitors. The i-MMD (clever Multi-Mode Drive) hybrid system is a large improve over the previous-generation i-DCD in relation to rolling in pure EV mode, having the ability to go a lot additional and stand up to considerably extra pedal stress earlier than the engine is pressured to help.
This occasional use of the ICE returns excellent gasoline consumption because of this. Over 20 km/l within the Metropolis Hybrid is straightforward and though the HR-V is a much bigger and heavier automobile, I’d set that because the goal for my regular city routine. I did a brief 34 km stint within the RS final week and used lower than 1.5 litres of petrol.
My guess is that not many Malaysians have gasoline effectivity as high precedence, though many will say that they do. Going multiples rounds in the hunt for a close to parking spot, engines left to idle after we tapau meals, aggressive huge acceleration/huge braking fashion of driving; and the record of gasoline losing habits goes on. It’s almost definitely as a consequence of our closely subsidised gasoline, which at RM2.05 per litre, is among the many lowest on this planet. We will afford to be wasteful, so to talk.
Low cost gasoline neutralises a hybrid’s promoting level, however issues may change if the proposed focused gasoline subsidy turns into actuality. In such a scheme, HR-V homeowners will almost definitely not obtain help, and if RON 95 is floated, km/l may achieve extra significance. Because it stands, it’s no surprise that the Turbo V comprehensively outsells the RS hybrid, which at RM140,800 is RM6k costlier than the highest pure-petrol variant.
I took the Turbo V on a current journey to Ipoh and encountered an enormous jam, which makes the 13.2 km/l FC studying (over 441 km, 2 km remaining vary) a nice shock. Subsequently, a cycle that’s much more like my normal routine returned 14.6 km/l (over 316 km), one thing that’s inside the regular FC vary for my 1.0L Ativa.
The financial system hole between the hybrid and turbo is smaller than I anticipated; this, plus the pace benefit, implies that the turbo can be my selection if I too had been to place down cash on an HR-V in the present day. I additionally favor the Turbo’s black grille over the RS’ shiny chequered flag nostril. As soon as once more, the rollback of blanket gasoline subsidy, and the diploma of it, may swing the long run within the RS’ favour.
The individuals’s selection
As you’d have figured by now, the Honda HR-V is sort of an all-rounder. I feel that the cockpit may very well be extra fancy, however aside from that subjective level, it’s a automobile that I discover arduous to select faults with. Of the lot, the Turbo is the all-rounder, combining energy with stunning effectivity. The RM134,800 V examined right here can also be not missing within the package division. Now, I do know why it’s the individuals’s selection.
The RS hybrid sounds costly at RM140,800, but when your HR-V goes to reside 95% of its life within the metropolis, don’t dismiss it simply but. Other than all that additional {hardware} that can ship at the least 5 km/l extra (my estimate), you additionally get a powered tailgate (with walk-away auto shut), auto wipers and dual-zone local weather management, amongst different issues. RM6k is definitely a small premium for all that.
Turbo or hybrid, you may’t actually go improper with the brand new HR-V. It’s confirmed, it ticks all of the containers, it’s fascinating and it’s as certain as bets come. As such, the Honda HR-V will proceed to be my small discuss buddy, the identify I drop when these “which is the very best?” questions come alongside.
GALLERY: Honda HR-V Turbo V
GALLERY: Honda HR-V RS e:HEV hybrid
GALLERY: Honda HR-V RS Hybrid vs HR-V Turbo V
