Overview
HONDA Australia launched the HR-V e:HEV X hybrid within the latter half of 2024 as one thing of a mid-way level between the petrol-powered Vi X and flagship e:HEV L.
Priced from $39,990 drive-away, it’s a contact dearer than Small SUV section contenders just like the Hyundai Kona Hybrid (from $36,500) and Toyota Corolla Cross (from $36,480) however sits nicely beneath the ridiculously costly Nissan Qashqai e-Energy (from $52,090).
Combining a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol engine with twin electrical motors the Honda HR-V e:HEV X presents 96kW of energy and 253Nm of torque. Drive is to the entrance wheels by way of an electronically managed repeatedly variable transmission (e-CVT), motivating the 1378kg SUV from standstill to 100km/h in 10.2 seconds (as examined).
Honda quotes a Mixed cycle gasoline use determine of 4.3 litres per 100km which we managed to close at 4.9L/100km on take a look at. The mannequin operates on commonplace 91RON unleaded petrol and presents a 40-litre gasoline tank for a theoretical vary of 816km.
The hybrid HR-V measures 4345mm in size, 1790mm in width, 1590mm in peak, and rides upon a 2610mm wheelbase.
Braking is all disc with suspension duties falling to a primary however well-tuned Macpherson entrance / torsion beam rear association.
As commonplace, the Honda HR-V e:HEV X is supplied with 18-inch alloy wheels, an acoustic windscreen, dusk-sensing LED cornering-, fog-, head- and tail-lights, gloss black garnishing, heated material upholstery, keyless entry and ignition with walk-away perform, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear window privateness tinting, and single-zone local weather management to call however a number of.
Additionally it is issued with a 9.0-inch central infotainment array boasting wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, six-speaker sound, AM/FM/DAB radio reception, Bluetooth connectivity, native sat nav, USB-A and -C shops, and Honda Join smartphone accessibility (included free of charge for 5 years).
The instrument panel is a part-digital/part-analogue association with the anticipated info introduced in a transparent and easy-to-read package deal that’s pleasantly illuminated at evening.
Honda’s HR-V e:HEV X includes a robust stage of ordinary security applied sciences together with adaptive cruise management, adaptive headlights, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot monitoring, lane-keep help, pace signal recognition and limiter, rear cross-traffic alert, a reversing digicam with entrance and rear parking sensors, tyre strain monitoring.
The mannequin options entrance, facet, and curtain airbags however doesn’t provide an airbag between the entrance seat occupants. The Honda HR-V obtained a four-star ANCAP ranking when examined in 2022.
It’s price noting that in contrast to lots of its rivals, the Honda HR-V is a four-seat Small SUV with no provision for a centre-rear passenger. There’s additionally no air vent to the rear of the cabin, this characteristic saved for the highest-grade e:HEV L, however pleasingly there’s loads of house up again when you’re settled in.
ISOFIX and top-tether little one seat restraints are present in each rear outboard seats, the rear bench providing Honda’s unique-in-market Magic Seat folding performance for better practicality of load carrying. Disappointingly, a tyre restore equipment is discovered beneath the cargo flooring in lieu of a spare wheel.
The cargo space can accommodate 304 litres of equipment with the rear seats in place and as much as 1274 litres all informed.
Honda presents the HR-V vary in 5 colors together with Botanical Inexperienced (unique to hybrid variants), Crystal Crimson, Platinum White, Premium Opal, and Slate Gray (new).
All variants come as commonplace with five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee, eight-year battery guarantee, five-year roadside help package deal, 5 fixed-price providers (totalling $995 for 5 years), and a five-year Honda Join subscription.
Service intervals are set at 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first).
Driving Impressions
The Honda HR-V drives extraordinarily nicely for a Small SUV and, as a hybrid, delivers one of many smoothest petrol-electric drivelines we’ve but to pattern.
These acquainted with different hybridised petrol fashions can be cognisant of the ‘swap’ between petrol and electrical modes – which is usually felt and heard. However the Honda system is way extra refined, providing close to imperceptible transitions, even underneath heavy acceleration.
Energy supply is pleasantly lag free with electrical motivation favoured every time attainable. This bias permits the HR-V to not solely speed up in a extra linear and predictable method, however to commute (in most situations) with little or no petrol engine intervention – or noise.
The e-CVT is likewise impressively clean and, in Sport mode, offers a simulated gearshift sensation that’s reasonably grin-inspiring.
The HR-V accelerates faster than the examined time would have you ever imagine and manages freeway overtaking with assured tempo. A pity then there’s slightly tyre rumble at speeds over 90km/h.
Honda’s reasonably unsophisticated suspension association is deceptively well-tuned and aside from the most important single-wheel impacts, stays sweetly balanced when challenged.
The HR-V handles with a nimble but predictable motion that’s precisely telegraphed by the steering and seat. It’s tenacious when it comes to grip, however by no means agency nor unsettled. The 18-inch tyres keep even contact with the highway over pockmarked backroads, aiding confidence in circumstances the place grip is lower than optimum.
If high quality experience consolation and calculable dealing with matter to you, we’d strongly recommend taking a hybridised HR-V for a take a look at drive.
We discovered the steering lightens appropriately at parking speeds, however the turning circle isn’t precisely tight. At 11.0m the Honda HR-V’s turning circle is simply 800mm lower than that of a Toyota HiLux – a automobile that’s virtually a metre longer than the “compact” HR-V.
Honda has carried out a terrific job of eliminating the ‘surging’ sensation that may be felt when braking in petrol-electric hybrid fashions. Braking is pure and well-metered, with respectable pedal help as well. We discovered the HR-V able to stopping shortly on a variety of highway surfaces with purposeful ABS intervention evident when required.
Away from the laborious and fasts of efficiency and dynamics, we have been additionally happy to discover a cabin really feel befitting the HR-V’s value. The little Honda is fantastically introduced with high quality supplies and sound ergonomics contributing to a way of getting what one has paid for.
The ancillary controls are simple to find and to function, that means much less time is spent along with your eyes off the highway. In all, the cockpit is reasonably intuitive, and although there was some undesirable interventions from the ADAS nannies, these have been far much less intrusive than has been famous in different section rivals, significantly these of Chinese language or South Korean origin.
Total, we predict the fashionable and streetwise Honda HR-V proves that hybrid motoring doesn’t must be a compromise. Being as clean and environment friendly as it’s good, its solely actual letdown is a four-star security ranking and four-seat occupant setting.
If these are compromises you’re ready to simply accept, then do your self a favour and go take a take a look at drive as a result of the HR-V e:HEV X may simply shock you.
