Honda went full-on Marie Kondo, stripping two models out of the Honda HR-V range and leaving only the Elegance derivative, but not before filling it with goodies from the Executive model first and giving the interior design a subtle makeover.
So, what's new, and how much value are you getting?
Styling
The front end retains the sleek, body-coloured grille design, and the coupe-inspired silhouette remains the same. LED headlights, LED fog lights, LED daytime driving lamps, body-coloured door handles, and a shark fin roof antenna are all standard.
Searched for used Honda HR-V models here.
Five colour options are available: Crystal Black Pearlescent, Opal White Pearlescent, Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, and Ignite Red Metallic.
At the rear, it's the same connected LED taillight strip for a catchy light signature after dark, and chrome garnish at the bottom for a bit of understated bling. Dual-coloured 18-inch wheels enhance the rest of the HR-V's design.
Buying used? What you need to know about the 2022-2024 model.
Space and Comfort
Honda strikes a sensible balance between the previous Comfort and Executive trims. The redesigned centre console is the most obvious interior update, featuring a new binnacle below the touchscreen for extra storage for your partner's phone or smaller items. As for the Honda build quality and sensibility you expect, you will not be disappointed.
Honda's legendary second row of Magic Seats can flip upwards like cinema seats to accommodate tall items like bicycles behind the front seats, or fold completely flat forward for a level boot floor when you need maximum cargo space for that camping trip.
Read our 2024 Honda HR-V 1.5 Executive 2024 Review
The seats are upholstered in what Honda calls "eco-friendly leather" which feels like imitation leather. The brochure doesn't specify what makes it eco-friendly, but the material feels appropriately premium for the price point.
Space remains generous, with seating for three adults, air vents, and two USB-C chargers. The boot offers 304 litres with seats up, expanding to 1274 litres (to the roof) with seats folded. It's also good to know that a full-size spare wheel is underneath!
Sean's 2022 HR-V review can be read here.
Convenience and tech
The basic 8.0-inch touchscreen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which was standard on the outgoing top-spec model. The 6-speaker sound system is sufficient for most listeners, but audiophiles might notice the difference (the Executive model had 8). You get USB-A and USB-C ports up front and two rear USB ports (C-type). There's a 15W wireless charging pad in the recess behind the gear lever, though it did not want to play along in our test car.
The air conditioning is not of the dual-zone climate control variety, so passengers may disagree on who is too hot and who is too cold.
Smart keyless entry with walk-away auto lock means you can approach the car and grab the door handle twice for it to open. The boot does not feature a power tailgate, which some people prefer, but I don't find it all that useful.
But the real game-changer is Honda SENSING (an umbrella term for its semi-autonomous driving skillset,) which is now standard equipment in this model. Every HR-V buyer gets adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision mitigation braking, lane keep assist, and road departure mitigation as standard. I miss the camera view in the driver's console when you put out your indicator, though; it was available in the Executive variant.
The Drive
Behind the wheel, the HR-V continues to feel like Honda's engineers prioritised composure over excitement, and that's not a bad thing in a family car. The steering is well-weighted and accurate, making the HR-V feel planted and predictable wherever you drive. You press a button to start the HR-V while the key stays safely in your handbag.
The suspension setup absorbs most road imperfections without feeling floaty, though you'll feel larger potholes. This is, after all, a compact SUV, not an Audi Q7.
Honda's Agile Handling Assist system works subtly in the background, applying brake pressure to individual wheels during cornering to help the car turn more precisely.
The CVT gearbox remains the weakest link in the driving experience. It's not offensive, just uninspiring, and that drone gets to you even though you pretend it doesn't. Having owned a CVT Jazz many moons ago, I can assure you that you'll probably get used to it, though. Also, it helps if you don't give it sudden throttle inputs. So, defensive drivers probably won't mind at all.
Visibility is excellent all around, thanks to slim A-pillars and large windows.
Performance
Honda sticks with the familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 89kW and 145Nm. The engine will feel more energetic at sea level than at the reef, where the thin air robs it of some eagerness.
It's fine for daily duties, but hurried drivers may need patience when overtaking on the highway or climbing mountain passes with a full load. As someone who drives in a relaxed fashion to conserve fuel, I didn't feel like it was short on power. If your right foot tends to be heavy, you'll need more than a 1.5-litre to keep frustration at bay.
Safety
Six airbags provide comprehensive protection (dual front, side, and curtain), and Honda's advanced compatibility engineering helps manage crash forces between vehicles of different sizes.
The auto high beam LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and rear-view camera make daily driving less stressful, along with the aforementioned Honda SENSING technologies that are very easy to employ and work effectively, steering around bends with ease and doing so for quite a long time before urging you to put your hands back on the wheel. A win in traffic!
Additional safety features include Vehicle Stability Assist, ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, and Brake Hold Function.
Fuel Consumption
Honda claims 6.0L /100km in combined driving conditions, but our average real-world consumption was closer to 7.0, 7.2L/100km, to be exact. It's not class-leading efficiency, but it's reasonable for a naturally aspirated engine paired with a CVT and the going rate for a 1.5-litre engine.
Price
While numerous faster or better-equipped Chinese competitors are vying for your attention, choosing a Honda suggests you value a certain standard of reputation. With that in mind, let's explore other contenders from Japan.
At R539 900, the HR-V Elegance is priced competitively against some strong rivals in the compact SUV battleground. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2.0 GLS undercuts it slightly at R534,990, offering a more powerful 2.0-litre engine (110 kW vs. 89 kW) and seven airbags. You may even consider the more affordable Mitsubishi Outlander we reviewed here.
Stepping up in price, the Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip, at R542 900, offers mild-hybrid efficiency, all-wheel drive, a nicer infotainment system, and surround-view cameras.
At the top of this pricing cluster, the Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV XR (R545,200) offers impressive hybrid fuel economy at a realistic 5.9 L/100km, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive cruise control. Like the HR-V, it's front-wheel driven only with a CVT. It is a Toyota, though, and just the name is enough to entice South Africans.
Corolla Cross vs Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Haval Jolion: Here's our hybrid winner.
The Honda gets a comprehensive warranty package of 5 years/200,000km, a 4-year/60,000km service plan, and 3 years of AA roadside assistance.
The Verdict
The Honda seems expensive compared to the value package the locally built Toyota Corolla Cross offers South African buyers, especially since 1.8-litre models are even more affordable (hybrids are not for everyone).
However, if you’ve always loved the Honda brand and trust its reliability, value high-quality finishes, driver-friendly technology, practicality, spacious rear seating, and strong safety credentials, the HR-V will be an ideal choice.
