What do you get when you blend a CR-V and Fit together? The answer is the HR-V which is the all new offering from Honda that is seated perfectly between the two taking some of the best features of each to give you a great new subcompact crossover SUV to enjoy. This segment may not be a well-known segment yet, but there are already several players in this class that are able to handle whatever comes their way. With the move from wagons to SUVs, having smaller offerings such as the Mazda CX-3, Jeep Renegade, Chevy Trax and Fiat 500X and now the Honda HR-V gives us a class that gives us what we desire.
The HR-V is a five passenger small SUV that allows you to enjoy some light off road experiences as well as having great driving manners, good fuel efficiency and a larger interior than it appears it should have. Most SUVs start over the $20,000 price mar, but the HR-V is a choice you can make with a price under that mark and still have some fun on and off the road.
Driving in the HR-V is exactly what you might expect. It’s not overly powerful, but it’s more than powerful enough to handle the challenges offered by a player in this smaller SUV class. The throttle response and transmission movement make the HR-V feel like a larger SUV even though it has a CVT attached to the engine. The suspension and steering along with the balance of the vehicle offers an easy drive that offers a drive that is more engaging with great cornering and plenty of fun on any windy roads which gives you the opportunity to think about taking the long way to and from work each day.
Some of the most popular features of the all new HR-V are the interior flexibility and Auto Brake Hold. The space inside the HR-V is deceptively large. There is nearly sixty cubic feet of room and with the flat-folding seats of the rear seat, larger items can be carried inside the SUV when needed, giving it the versatility needed even in a smaller vehicle. The Auto Brake Hold is really cool. This feature allows the brake to continue to be applied until you press the accelerator by pressing a button. You can use this feature to take your foot off the brake and not have to put the vehicle in park just to give your foot a rest during long waits at lights, in traffic, during accidents, and other times when traffic just isn’t moving.
Since we are already talking about features, let’s take a look at what the HR-V has to offer. The base model (LX) shows up with a rearview camera, cruise control, Honda’s Bluetooth HandsFreeLink system, a four-speaker/160-watt audio system with a USB/auxiliary input and five-inch color display. The EX is a significant step up for standard features adding the LaneWatch side-view monitor, a power moonroof, heated front seats, push button starting, SMS text messaging function, an upgraded six-speaker/180-watt audio system with a larger seven-inch touch screen and a touch sensitive climate control system.
The options offered on the Honda HR-V come in with packages that climb the trim levels. The top model is the EX-L Navi model. This model shows up with leather upholstery, a navigation system, an automatic transmission, SiriusXM satellite and HD Radio system, paddle shifters and Sport mode. The AWD system is available on all models as is the automatic transmission. Other accessories to make this small SUV one that looks tougher and more rugged include a front and rear skidplate and attachments for skis, snowboards and bikes for the outdoor sporting enthusiasts.
Once you step inside the HR-V you will be amazed by that cavernous feeling of this small SUV. The layout is one you might expect on a luxury model, which is a nod to Honda’s determination to give you a vehicle that offers upscale looks and feel at a great price. The materials on all models are soft with leather at the top end and the LCD interface for infotainment gives you the technology you need. On any model the features are easy to use with higher models being more sophisticated and intuitive. Add in the previously mentioned space in the cabin which includes a fold down passenger seat to give a longer cargo space to use for taller items.
On the outside the HR-V doesn’t look anything like the Fit even though much of the driving capability of this awesome SUV comes from this small hatchback car. Instead, Honda took the best-selling SUV on the market and shrunk it down to create the HR-V, making it look like a CR-V that was left in the dryer too long. The HR-V has a sloping roof and rear window that slopes to give a full angle of approach from the front and rear and a great encompassed appearance. Riding on 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels this SUV includes a power moonroof on some models and adds a lot of fun when the rugged appearance features are added.
Only one engine is offered for the HR-V but it is perfect for the job. This engine is a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that shows up with 141 horsepower and 127 lb.-ft. of torque. Attached to the CVT that Honda has refined the vehicle performs extremely well, but a six-speed manual is also able to be on this vehicle. All models can also have AWD and the fuel mileage range is in the area of 25 city/35 hwy mpg in order to give you an efficient vehicle to drive.
When looking for a smaller crossover SUV to enjoy, the HR-V makes the right choice for many as it mimics the best-selling SUV on the market today without being the same vehicle. Whether it’s for occasional off road adventures or the rigors of daily driving, the HR-V is up to the task, giving you a fantastic vehicle for the price.
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