In distinction to a few of my counterparts who reside and breathe automobiles, I form 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 often prompts two questions: “What’s the greatest automotive you’ve pushed?” and “Is the brand new XXX (insert sizzling automotive of the season) good?”. A variation of the latter is asking which of two rivals is healthier. Some ask for the very best automotive inside a specified finances. Once more, many are completely happy to play knowledgeable, 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, repeatedly. The Honda HR-V is a type of automobiles. It’s the suitable match for therefore many individuals wanting an city runabout that’s an SUV (development), confirmed (OG of the section), sensible (greatest inside packaging) and dependable (each the automotive and after-sales). In the event you’re OK with the ubiquity, the HR-V is a type of automobiles that you simply simply can’t go incorrect with.
Even within the earlier mannequin’s closing 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’ve got a brand new one that appears contemporary and extra premium, plus a broad vary of three powertrains. What do you assume the decision will likely be?
Turbo, bro
You’ve already learn our assessment 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 accustomed to is the second automotive 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, gas effectivity doesn’t appear to be high precedence in a rustic the place petrol is closely subsidised, and hybrid variants of fashionable fashions often aren’t fashionable 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 greater 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 chargeable for greater than half of HR-V orders (57%).
What does this say? We like energy, and we don’t thoughts paying for top specs. The latter has develop into 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 usually high their mannequin gross sales breakdowns as nicely. Right here, we drive the HR-V Turbo V to see if it actually deserves the recognition.
Easy allure
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 sooner 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). High pace is 200 km/h.
That makes the V almost two full seconds sooner than the hybrid within the century dash (RS 10.7 seconds), and its high pace is 30 km/h greater (RS 170 km/h). Typically, you don’t actually really feel on-paper variations on the transfer, however it’s fairly obvious right here – the turbo clearly accelerates sooner than the hybrid, whether or not standing or rolling.
That is the quickest the HR-V has ever been, and the pace needs to be fairly novel for Metropolis/Jazz folks who’re upgrading, in addition to previous-generation HR-V homeowners. Nevertheless, don’t anticipate kick within the again form of pick-up; along side the CVT, getting in control is easy and easy, and that’s the way in which it needs to be in a every day driver. Whether or not you’re taking it straightforward 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 associate for the boosted engine. In the event you’re coming from a latest Japanese B-segment NA automotive, anticipate the identical effectivity in harnessing out there energy, however with much less effort – because of turbo torque, you’re spending much less time on the throttle. In the event you’re coming from a Proton CVT, you’re tremendous late to the social gathering referred to as At present’s Normal.
The seamless gearbox is unobtrusive in every day driving and responsive sufficient in a quick cross nation drive, a lot in order that I fully 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 appears like one thing has malfunctioned.
Balik kampung
The brand new HR-V is a unbelievable every day driver, however does its case crumble if you go additional and push more durable? Under no circumstances. Though the Honda isn’t as thrilling to drive as a Toyota C-HR when going all out (who does this stuff 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 be calm at a cruise. Regardless of the visibly greater floor clearance (196 mm, 26 mm greater than earlier than), excessive pace stability is sweet and first trip consolation is regular at speeds that we can’t publish, with three adults and baggage. Likewise, physique roll isn’t a problem.
I believe 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 automobiles. 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 automotive, which is to imply that an equal Toyota is prone to be quieter.
Additionally reasonably Continental is the HR-V’s excessive pace trip and the way in which it handles patchy roads on the town on 18-inch wheels – not gentle however not uncomfortable both. This extra substantial really feel within the controls and the way in which the HR-V strikes can 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 top – off the bat, I can consider the Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross – so in case you want one thing decrease, there are alternatives. However why SUV then?
Missed alternative?
It’s straightforward to discover a good driving place, and the seat base size is nearly proper for my 175 cm body. Consolation is sweet and there aren’t any ergonomic points, save for the top unit that’s angled away from the motive force. Sure, away.
Whereas this doesn’t actually have an effect on operation and there aren’t 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 motive force to have a look at the perimeters of the top unit – particularly, the depth of the “CRT TV” model HU, a reminder that you simply don’t get a freestanding display right here like within the Civic.
Clockwise from high: Honda HR-V, 2023 Honda CR-V, Honda Civic FE
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 consumers are a conservative bunch in the case of colors, they usually’re most likely right, however Proton has been daring with its X SUVs they usually’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 structure. 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 assessment went up, Honda launched first pictures of the next-generation CR-V and all of it grew to become clear – to get a Civic cabin in an SUV, you’ve acquired to pony as much as a CR-V. Truthful sufficient.
Don’t get me incorrect, that is nonetheless a nice and practical 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 everyday HR-V proprietor gained’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 a terrific choice for a small household. Legroom is actually beneficiant and I may even cross my legs (assume inventory picture of a person in a swimsuit studying a broadsheet newspaper) on the again, with the entrance seat set to my driving place.
Headroom isn’t as considerable, however I match nicely with a palm’s top left – when you have common backbenchers who’re 180 cm and above, do attempt it out for measurement. The steep angle of the roofline plunges behind rear seat heads, in case you’re questioning. On the transfer, I recognize the lengthy rear home windows that stops the area from being claustrophobic (it might simply have develop into 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 a better 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 objects 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.
High: Honda HR-V RS; backside: Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Practicality apart, security is one other field that the top must test off and the HR-V obliges. The Honda Sensing energetic security and driver help suite – with the newest wide-view digicam – is customary throughout the vary, and there’s even hill descent management. The latter’s solely use in a automotive 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 observe on Sensing, which is without doubt one of the higher ADAS methods on the market. No large deal since even Perodua presents it, I hear you say. Properly, it’s an excellent factor that P2 prioritises security in inexpensive automobiles, 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 in the future 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 primarily EVs on the town, easy and quiet as you navigate start-stop visitors. The i-MMD (clever Multi-Mode Drive) hybrid system is a big improve over the previous-generation i-DCD in the case of 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 gas consumption because of this. Over 20 km/l within the Metropolis Hybrid is simple and though the HR-V is a much bigger and heavier automotive, I might 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 gas effectivity as high precedence, regardless that many will say that they do. Going multiples rounds seeking a close to parking spot, engines left to idle after we tapau meals, aggressive large acceleration/large braking model of driving; and the checklist of gas losing habits goes on. It’s more than likely as a result of our closely subsidised gas, which at RM2.05 per litre, is among the many lowest on this planet. We are able to afford to be wasteful, so to talk.
Grill apart, twin pipes and non-gloss black trim mark out the Turbo; each have similar 18″ wheels
Low cost gas neutralises a hybrid’s promoting level, however issues may change if the proposed focused gas subsidy turns into actuality. In such a scheme, HR-V homeowners will more than likely not obtain help, and if RON 95 is floated, km/l may achieve extra significance. Because it stands, it’s no marvel 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 latest journey to Ipoh and encountered a large 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 regular routine returned 14.6 km/l (over 316 km), one thing that’s throughout 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 will likely be my alternative if I too have been to place down cash on an HR-V at present. I additionally favor the Turbo’s black grille over the RS’ shiny chequered flag nostril. As soon as once more, the rollback of blanket gas subsidy, and the diploma of it, may swing the longer term within the RS’ favour.
The individuals’s alternative
As you’d have figured by now, the Honda HR-V is kind of an all-rounder. I feel that the cockpit could possibly be extra fancy, however aside from that subjective level, it’s a automotive that I discover arduous to select faults with. Of the lot, the Turbo is the all-rounder, combining energy with shocking effectivity. The RM134,800 V examined right here can be not missing within the package division. Now, I do know why it’s the individuals’s alternative.
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 further {hardware} that can ship at the very 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 incorrect with the brand new HR-V. It’s confirmed, it ticks all of the bins, it’s fascinating and it’s as positive as bets come. As such, the Honda HR-V will proceed to be my small speak 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
