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The Elevate has been casting a long shadow over many of Honda's other products, but the sexy HR-V should not be overlooked. Here's why.
Styling
The previous-generation HR-V wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. But Honda has ditched the bland and embraced the bold with this all-new iteration. This HR-V is quite the head-turner with a daring 'anti-grille' and a sleek, coupe-inspired silhouette thanks to its fastback styling, and 18-inch alloys, making it more of an urban warrior than a carpool queen.
Related: Honda HR-V First Drive Review
Space & Interior
Honda's packaging has always made sense from a practicality perspective, and the HR-Vs interior design and layout is no different, with upmarket-feeling, soft-touch surfaces wherever you lay your hands.
There's a sense of quality in the turning of every dial and the press of every button, which reminds me of premium German crossovers like the Audi Q2/Q3.
Everything you need to know about the Honda HR-V
Space on the back seat is suitable for two adults with a skinny one in the middle, and the boot is sufficiently large, and shaped in such a way that you can fit in more stuff.
Honda's party trick, however, is their Magic Seat system that allows for the seats to be completely flipped upwards, should you feel the need to load a bicycle in the back or take the dogs to the beach.
Comfort & Convenience
Honda has loaded the Executive model with equipment that makes your life a more comfortable and luxurious one, or at least while you're in you HR-V. In Executive trim, a UV-blocking glass sunroof lets in light but not heat, and your leather seats are 8-way electrically adjustable.
Should you arms be full of grocery bags, a hands-free power tailgate allows for a swing of your foot underneath the car to open the boot.
The Drive and Performance
While my colleagues up in Gauteng reported that the 1.5-litre engine (with 89kW and 145 Nm, mated to a noisy CVT gearbox) felt sluggish at the reef, here at the coast I found this cool little crossover to be competent enough. Its handling, however, is highly sophisticated, with Honda's AHA or Agile Handling Assist which applies brake pressure selectively to the inner or outer wheels depending on the situation.
This helps with evasive manoeuvres (like swerving for a kudu) or tackling twisty roads, by making the car react more precisely to the driver's inputs and sorting out under- and oversteer. This means you're safer, and the car feels more surefooted and nimble to drive. We took it over the Houw Hoek Pass on more than one occasion to make sure.
I think the HR-V performs proficiently for what it will be subjected to on a daily basis, whether it's a trip to a neighbouring town, carting kids to school, or trying to catch an early morning flight to Cape Town with a cooking south-easter blowing on Sir Lowry's Pass.
Fuel Economy
Looking at our fuel economy now vs. the brand-spanking new model we drove on launch, it's evident that our test model's engine had been run in, as fuel consumption was down to 7.2 litres per 100 km (combined) from the lower eights.
You can also drive it in Eco Mode if you wish, for more fuel savings.
Safety
Apart from the usual traction and stability control, dual/front and side as well as curtain airbags, and Honda's advanced compatibility engineering (designed to enhance collision safety between vehicles of different sizes), the Honda 'Sensing' system is what impressed us the most.
It comprises road departure and collision mitigation, that alert you when you're veering out of your lane, and prime the brakes for a less damaging collision. There's also lane keep assistance (with autonomous steering), automatic high/low beam (to prevent dazzling oncoming traffic), and adaptive cruise control (that keeps you at a set distance behind the car in front) with autonomous braking.
The settings for most of these systems are all to be found on the steering wheel and employing these features or adjusting their settings is very easy.
The Executive model features a LaneWatch camera too - when you switch on your indicator, the view from the LaneWatch camera appears on the display screen in the centre of your dashboard. It's like having a live video feed of what's happening behind you and also ensures your blind spots are covered.
Price and Competitors
The top-spec Executive model is not cheap at R622 900, and since its launch in 2022, plenty of fierce competitors have arrived on the scene, like the new Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek. It's also slightly more expensive than the entry-level T-Roc 1.4TSI, and poverty-spec Audi Q2 35TFSI which actually isn't poorly equipped at all and has an output of 110kW and 250Nm.
For this reason, I would say that the HR-V 1.5 Comfort model at R520 900 makes a lot more sense - at R102 000 less than the Executive trim! Or just go the used route.
Kia Seltos vs Mazda CX-30 vs HR-V
Verdict
From a build quality, packaging, technology, design and engineering perspective, the HR-V in Executive trim doesn't have to stand back from its premium rivals from Germany and other parts of Japan one step, but from a power perspective, it's somewhat outgunned. The downside to premium car ownership, however, is that costs quickly escalate once it's out of warranty, and then I would much rather be the proud owner of a Honda.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the sensible yet sporty-looking HR-V that is just so effortless to live with and I was sad to see it go. It was a near-perfect companion for my busy, modern, working-mom lifestyle.
ENDS
