Honda HR-V

The automaker did an outstanding job developing an interior with an exceptional-looking cabin, to boot. While the interior may be as beautiful as the outside, the model's success is undeniably attributable to an even distribution of goodness across all criteria. Depending on the trim, the updated Honda HR-V either has seats cladded in leather or cloth upholstery. As might be expected, the top-spec V Turbo trim comes decked with leather while the affordable S Trim comes with fabric seats. Now it comes standard with an all-black theme however, the top-of-the-line trim is accentuated with silver accents. The front passenger seat, along with the driver seat, is equipped with manual adjustment. Specifically, the crossover also comes with a manual adjustable 6-way driver’s seat, and a 4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat for extra ergonomic control. 

 The maximum seating capacity for the Honda HR-V is five people, including the driver. There is enough cargo room, ample passenger space, and high-quality cabin materials. However, standard features do make it a little bit hard to use unlike with the top-spec V turbo trim. 

 One of the prominent reasons why a lot are invested in this vehicle is thanks to its large cargo hold. This economic vehicle is the ideal choice for Filipinos because it meets most of their needs and has many great attributes. The back seats may be folded down to create an additional 58 cubic feet of cargo space. 

 Compared to its predecessor, the Honda HR-V offers more comfort. Along with certain benefits, it includes the amenities you would expect from premium vehicles. Some of its standard features include power door locks, 4 bottle holders, 4 cup holders, power windows with auto up/down for the driver, rear vents, a digital display of a 4.2-inch instrument cluster, one push start system, illuminated driver, and passenger mirror, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, rotary knob control with illumination, and day/night rear view mirror. Convenience is also provided as it comes with a new automatic air conditioning with air diffusion.

 Aside from the mentioned attributes, top-spec features may include 4 USB charging ports, a digital display of a 7-inch instrument cluster, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, urethane shift knob, and day/night rear view mirror with auto-dimming.

 For Entertainment, occupants would enjoy an 8-inch touchscreen display audio coupled with 6 speakers, 2 USB charging ports, an accessory socket with 12 volts, Bluetooth connectivity, hands-free telephone, audio streaming, and USB input. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Japanese automaker is proud of what it does best, and it always ensures that its vehicles are of the finest quality and durability. The all-new Honda HR-V comes in various colors namely, Ignite Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Premium Opal White Silver, and Meteoroid Gray Metallic. Colors may vary depending on the variant. The subcompact crossover measure 1,590 mm in height, and 1,790 mm in width. The top-spec model measures 4,385 mm in length, while the base model is somewhat shorter at 4,330 mm. That having said, the V Turbo CVT has a ground clearance of 181 mm while the S variant sits on 196 mm which are good aspects for rugged roads. In addition, The HR-V is decked with 17-inch wheels, and it has a wheelbase of 2,610 mm and a turning radius of 5.5 m. For fuel tank capacity, it can carry a maximum of 40 liters. On the other hand, the greatest amount of cargo capacity is 431 liters, and if the back seats are folded down, the maximum amount is 1,665 liters.

 The Honda HR-V attracted the interest of automotive aficionados, especially those looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle without sacrificing power, with its basic yet sleek style and, of course, the great amenities it offers. What used to be angular headlights are now slits giving it a more refined appearance. The revamped model comes with an all-new design treatment, specifically, it either has a black bar or black mesh inserts depending on the variant. Chrome grille and monotone wheels come standard. To boot, the top-spec V Turbo CVT is given a sporty front bumper design coupled with RS emblems, piano black accents all around, and two-tone wheels. The automaker did not forget to update the rear as the taillights get LED bars, quite identical to the pre-facelift models for their square shape. Standard across all variants is the Honda SENSING. This makes use of a monocular wide-angle camera that renders audio-visual alerts as well as provides support upon steering and braking when needed. 

The new Honda HR-V is rated exceptionally fuel-efficient and is ideal for both long-distance and highway driving. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fuel consumption is said to be at 13 km/l equating to 30 mpg. To boot, it extends the driving range by approximately 448.8 miles with just one petrol tank.

The 2023 HR-V can surely render a pleasant drive-feel on both highways and rugged terrains. It gives a powerful driving experience since it is built to be sturdy and grounded even at high speeds. Driving this vehicle around is made convenient as the engine responds adequately along with a light steering wheel.

 For its suspension setup, the front comes with a MacPherson strut while the rear gets Torsion Beam Axle. The crossover not only provides a comfortable driving experience, but passengers in the back will love the little to no body roll thanks to its attributes that make the ride appealing to both the driver and the occupants. Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) concerns are reduced to a minimum because the cabin is well-insulated. For stopping power, it utilizes a set of disc brakes both in the front and rear. The front use ventilated discs while the rear uses a pair of solid discs. All variants of the Honda HR-V are mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). 

The 2023 Honda HR-V sits on the automaker’s L15 platform similar to that of a Honda City and Honda Civic. This type of platform is designed for compact and subcompact vehicles as it is lighter, more compact, and narrower. It also renders improved fuel efficiency and lower emission levels. The crossover rides on either a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC or a 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine. The base model S variant can churn a maximum power output of 119 PS and a peak torque of 150 Nm. The top-spec V variant, on the other hand, can render a maximum power output of 174 horsepower and a peak torque of 240 Nm. Similar to any Honda vehicle, the engine is positioned transversely as well as the power is sent to the front wheels only.

The 2023 Honda HR-V fairly competes with its competitors and offers a plethora of safety features more so in its range-topping trim. This includes four airbags — one for the driver, the front passenger, and a pair of side airbags. Another would be the Honda Safety Sense system that comes with lane departure warning, lead car departure, notification system, collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, auto-high beam, and lane-keeping assist. The Honda HR-V almost had a perfect five-star rating however, it scored a 4-star rating on the Euro NCAP crash test. This was due to its not-so-sturdy seatbelts, especially in the backseat.

Warranty

The Honda Protect Plus Extended Warranty is the brand's new extended warranty policy, according to the automaker. Customers have the opportunity to add an additional 2 years to their standard 3-year warranty through this flexible program. To boot, it can also be an additional 40,000 kilometers whichever may come first. 

Final Words

The 2023 Honda HR-V, given its affordable tag, is undeniably worth its value. This model seats a maximum of five passengers and has a spacious cabin with ample amount of headroom and access to tech-savvy features. It is ideal for people who seek a safe and reliable daily commute because it has almost every feature a person might want in a vehicle. It also gives a pleasant, powerful, and smooth driving experience. This is also for those who seek practicality, flexibility, and a robust vehicle.