An all-new urban crossover joins the Honda product line-up in South Africa this month.
Previewed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the new Honda HR-V’s arrival in local showrooms coincides with its European debut, and promises to shake up the crossover segment in SA.
Despite its compact footprint, the HR-V looks and feels spacious inside. The interior execution focuses on intelligent packaging to deliver a spacious front and rear cabin, while the luggage compartment offers generous stowage space.
Honda’s Magic Seat system, already a hugely popular feature in the Jazz and Civic models, is also included, adding further practicality and flexibility to the interior.
With the seats raised, the luggage compartment offers 393 litres of boot space up to window level, while folding the split rear seat flat increases cargo capacity to an impressive 1 002 litres.
The new HR-V offers an extensive list of comfort and convenience equipment across the two-model range. Highlights include electrically operated windows and mirrors, remote central locking, air-conditioning, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel and a multi-information trip computer.
Depending on model, the new HR-V’s integrated infotainment system is controlled via a 5-inch monitor, or a 7-inch colour touchscreen display. Both systems feature Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephony and audio streaming, USB connections, a CD player, and multiple speakers.
Active systems include ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) activation, as well as Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and a high-mounted LED rear brake light.
The new Honda HR-V is available with a choice of two efficient petrol engines, both linked to a new-generation CVT transmission. Regardless of engine, drive is to the front wheels.
Honda’s familiar 1 497 cc in-line four-cylinder engine, already on offer in the new-generation Jazz and Ballade models, powers the HR-V 1.5 Comfort. The fuel-injected unit’s maximum power and torque outputs come to 88kW and 145Nm respectively.
For the more upmarket HR-V 1.8 Elegance, Honda has chosen a 1 799 cc four-cylinder engine, also boasting electronic fuel injection, and credited with 105 kW of maximum power, while maximum torque is 172 Nm. Start/stop functionality benefits economy and CO2 emissions.
The 1.8 Elegance offers all the standard features of its 1.5 Comfort stablemate but augments the list with some additional upgrades. These include larger alloy wheels, and auto-activating LED headlights with daytime running lights.
Inside, the Elegance gains leather upholstery and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, automatic climate control, heated front seats and a rear armrest. The 5-inch monitor makes way for a 7-inch touch screen display with rear-view camera. The display allows access to a raft of advanced features, including a more powerful integrated sound system with six loudspeakers.
The pricing includes a three-year/100 000 km warranty, a four-year /60 000 km service plan, and a one-year AA roadside assistance package. Services are at
15 000 km intervals.
Pricing:
HR-V 1.5 Comfort CVT R299 900
HR-V 1.8 Elegance CVT R354 900