The two Honda HR-V trims head to head: here’s our winner

Martin Pretorius

Just about every manufacturer has a contender in the compact crossover market segment – it’s one of the fastest-growing niches, worldwide, and South Africa definitely follows this trend. This means that it’s a talented field, and that it takes something special to stand out. Fortunately, the Honda HR-V is off to good start, thanks to distinctive styling and high specification levels.

The model range is very limited, however, with only two derivatives on offer. They’re differentiated by their drivetrains, and feature different equipment levels for the two variants. Pricing reflects this, with a R 65 000 gap between them. Let’s take a look at the range.

Motive power and performance

Engine choices are very conservative, with only petrol power on offer, and no forced induction. The range opens with the 1.5 Comfort with 88 kW and 145 Nm. Upmarket Elegance trim brings with it a 1.8-litre engine, with 105 kW and 172 Nm. Both variants use a Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT), with no manual gearbox option on offer at all. 

Performance is, rather predictably, adequate rather than thrilling. The 1.5 ambles to 100 km/h in a leisurely 12 seconds (claimed), with a top speed of 179 km/h. Quoted average fuel consumption is a commendable 6.3 litres/100 km for this model, but this doesn’t give it a big advantage over the quicker 1.8’s claimed 6.8 litres/100 km. Not that the 1.8 is by any means rapid, mind you: it still takes 10.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h, and its top speed is only slightly more respectable, at 188 km/h. 

Standard equipment

The HR-V comes with a decent amount of standard kit for the money. The basic 1.5 Comfort has ABS, stability control, ISOFIX anchorages in the rear, and 6 airbags on its specification sheet, along with 16-inch alloy wheels, power steering and air-con, a multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB compatibility, remote central locking, and electric windows all round. That makes it pretty well-equipped at its R 354 900 list price.

1.8 Elegance trim ups the goodie count with heated front seats, leather upholstery and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, LED headlights, rear privacy glass, keyless entry with pushbutton start, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, automatic wiper control, automatic climate control, heated and folding side mirrors, and an upgrade to 17-inch alloy wheels. This represents a decent spec upgrade for its pricetag of R 419 900, but may put this variant out of reach of budget-conscious buyers.

Which one would we choose?

If the budget allows, the HR-V 1.8 Elegance is the obvious choice here, mainly based on its improved performance. While the 1.5-litre engine has fair outputs for its size, that CVT conspires with the car’s weight to make for very laid-back performance, and with a full load or at highveld altitudes, this will be even more noticeable. The 1.8 is still far from quick, but those useful power- and torque increases means that the high-spec HR-V would be far more pleasant to live with. The expanded spec sheet just makes it that more enticing.

Pricing was accurate at the time of writing, and may change without prior notice. All HR-Vs have a 3year/100 000 km warranty and a service plan for 4 years or 60 000 km included as standard.