2015 Honda HR-V Review: CR-V’s Baby Bro Gets High Marks
What’s Hot: Spacious rear seat, comfortable suspension, sharp interior design.
What’s Not: Doughy CVT, flimsy parcel shelf, no integrated sat-nav.
X-FACTOR: Honda's HR-V shows other compact SUVs how it's done.
Vehicle Style: Compact SUV
Price: $24,990 to $33,990
Engine/trans: 105kW/172Nm 1.8 petrol 4cyl | CVT auto
Fuel Economy claimed: 6.9 l/100km | tested: 9.1 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Small SUVS are making a big impact on the Australian motoring landscape.
With sales growth in the category far outstripping other segments, it's fair to say that impact is only going to get bigger.
And there's a steady stream of new arrivals. The Mazda CX-3 isn't far away, the Renault Captur has only just touched down in Aussie showrooms, and this week it's the Honda HR-V's turn to make its sales debut in Australia.
The HR-V nameplate has been here before, of course. It was only on sale for two years, between 1999 and 2001, but it was one of the first true monocoque compact SUVs in Australia.
However, being a pioneer is no guarantee of success. Petrol was cheaper back then, and car buyers were still “living large” in bigger SUVs and sedans.
But times have definitely changed, and so has the HR-V.
Now based on the Jazz platform and available solely with a front-wheel drive automatic drivetrain, the new HR-V puts Honda in prime position to capitalise on Australia’s growing appetite for compact SUVs.
We travelled to Tasmania to drive it for the first time, and were pleasantly surprised by what greeted us.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 4.5/5
- VTi: Climate control, cruise control, trip computer, USB audio input, Bluetooth connectivity, Honda Display Audio infotainment system, cloth upholstery, electronic parking brake, power windows.
- VTi-S adds: Dusk-sensing LED headlamps, front foglamps, rain-sensing wipers, autonomous emergency braking, keyless entry and ignition, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, Lanewatch camera system.
- VTi-L adds: Leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, rear armrest, panoramic glass sunroof, auto up/down windows, heated front seats, power-folding wing mirrors.
- Luggage space: 437L minimum, 1032L maximum.