The third-generation Honda HR-V crossover is no longer such a hot novelty: the car arrived in Ukraine in 2022. However, somewhat unexpectedly, the Honda HR-V crossover became a participant in the Car of the Year 2024 campaign, and then even won among hybrids! Does this mean that the model is still relevant? And is there a great hybrid under the hood of this car? What other advantages can the Honda HR-V offer? And what are the disadvantages of this crossover? Let's find out.
Design: is it a compact crossover or a compact hatchback?
With the Honda CR-V and Honda ZR-V in its arsenal, the Japanese company can afford to make the Honda HR-V very compact. And to emphasize this compactness of the body, its distinctive design: no additional windows after the rear doors - just roof pillars and a sloping trunk lid. With this rear design, cars today are sometimes referred to as "coupe-like crossovers". However, I would use the term "crossover hatchback".
The interesting overall body profile is supported by no less interesting details: amygdala headlights with a chrome line between them, hidden tailgate handles (they were also on the second-generation Honda HR-V), a solid translucent lamp. And the almost complete absence of a protruding rear bumper is also memorable: another hint of compactness?
The Honda HR-V crossover is currently the smallest among theSUV models available in Ukraine through the brand's network of authorized dealers: length - 4.34 meters; width - 1.79 meters; height - 1.58 meters; wheelbase - 2.61 meters. The ground clearance is 188 mm. The car Honda HR-V looks original, there are many interesting design details, but what about practicality? For example, the bottom of the body is covered with black trims; however, they are not made of matte plastic, but glossy - that is, they can eventually be wiped off by sand and dirt, washing and wiping.
Even more interesting details await in the Honda HR-V's cabin, and in this case, everything is fine with practicality. For example, the front of the cabin perfectly combines a traditional dashboard, a separate climate control unit, a niche with wireless charging, and a multimedia system display. Moreover, the nice work with the little things is especially noticeable. When you select a higher climate control temperature, the rings are highlighted in red; when you select a lower one, they are highlighted in blue. The side ventilation deflectors can switch the airflow direction. And the wireless charging niche has a nice matte finish in dark red. It seems that it is impossible to place so many elements in such a limited space; but there is a place for everything! Even for the numerous buttons, climate switches, DRIVE MODE joystick and more, Honda has remained faithful to physical controls to the last, which is especially appreciated today.
Moreover, the enthusiasm of the engineers and designers clearly did not subside when designing the rear of the cabin. Just look at the Magic Seats, which are already familiar from other Honda models and are now present on the third-generation Honda HR-V: these seats can be raised up and free up space inside the cabin. At the same time, the standard version of the cabin transformation - with the rear seat backrest folding - has been retained. There is also an armrest and cup holders, ventilation deflectors, and charging ports. I would also like to mention the giant doors that open to a very large angle. Everything looks great!
Apart from the fact that the car is compact and has a sloping roof. Because even passengers of average height are already sitting in the back with their heads almost close to the roof; and tall people will definitely have to tilt their heads or slide down the seat. Thankfully, at least there is plenty of legroom. The only question is the height of the body behind and the headroom. But if you carry teenage children or small adults in the back, the Honda HR-V crossover will not cause any problems.
Probably the only remark about the front of the Honda HR-V cabin is the use of mostly hard materials in the trim. But the rest deserves only positive notes: comfortable full-size seats, a separate climate control unit and adjustable ventilation deflectors, niches and cup holders on the center console, and many physical switches and buttons. The instrument panel is combined: a combination of a conventional mechanical speedometer and a digital display. There is a lot of legroom in the back (but you want to add a couple of centimeters above your head) and excellent space transformation capabilities. The trunk in the standard 5-seat configuration offers 304 liters of volume (maximum 1274 liters), an electric lid and a niche, albeit a small one, as the rest of the underground is occupied by the hybrid system battery.
Technology: the expected e:HEV hybrid and the unexpected fuel tank
We've mentioned the Honda CR-V and Honda ZR-V CR-V above, and now it's time to mention the Honda Jazz, because the Honda HR-V crossover is its closest relative in terms of technology.
First, under the hood is an e:HEV 1.5 i-MMD hybrid based on a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor. Moreover, in most cases, it is the electric motor that is the main one - that is, it is fully responsible for acceleration and movement of the car. The gasoline engine is only used to drive the generator to generate electricity. However, when driving at high speeds in highway mode, the gasoline engine can be directly connected to the front wheels via a clutch - this is more efficient in terms of fuel efficiency. There is no conventional gearbox in this e:HEV hybrid design.
Secondly, the Honda HR-V crossover has an unusual fuel tank: like the Honda Jazz, it is located under the front seats. This solution makes it possible to realize the concept of Magic Seats, which require removing all unnecessary things from the floor in the rear of the body. Other structural elements of the Honda HR-V are quite expected for a car of this class: a load-bearing body, a transversely mounted engine, an independent front suspension of the McPherson type, and a semi-dependent rear suspension based on a U-shaped beam.
Under the hood of the Honda HR-V is ane:HEV hybrid , which combines an internal combustion engine and an electric drive: a gasoline 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine develops 106 hp.hp of power and 131 Nm of torque; however, the electric motor is usually in operation, which means 131 hp of power and 253 Nm of torque. Among other interesting figures: for the crossover Honda HR-V, acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 10.7 seconds, top speed of 170 km/h, fuel consumption of 4.2 liters per 100 km (in a mixed cycle) are promised. So...
Behind the wheel: not perfect, but generally quite good
Since we have already started mentioning other Honda cars, we will continue here. Moreover, the Honda HR-V crossover is very similar to the Honda Jazz hatchback due to its technical affinity. However, please note: the Honda HR-V's hybrid powertrain is similar to the Honda Jazz's hybrid system, but not completely identical. For example, a new PCU control unit is used and the power of the electric motor is increased. The main pair was also changed to accommodate the larger and heavier crossover. In addition, the ability to flexibly control regeneration during deceleration has been added.
And all this is felt while driving. The Honda HR-V crossover still offers the same linear and predictable responses of a hybrid in the "press the pedal and you get acceleration" style. It demonstrates a complete absence of pauses and delays in acceleration, which is reminiscent of an electric vehicle. After all, let me remind you once again that the main driving force here is usually the electric motor. However, the battery of the hybrid system is small, and therefore, during dynamic acceleration, the gasoline engine starts almost immediately, which is clearly audible in the cabin. I should also note that the increase in size and weight of the Honda HR-V relative to the Honda Jazz was not without consequences: even with the increase in electric motor power, the dynamics still slightly decreased and now acceleration from 0-100 km/h requires 0.5-1 second more.
However, this will be noticeable only when accelerating to the limit - with the pedal to the floor. After all, during normal daily trips around the city or on the highway, there is usually enough dynamics and acceleration. Moreover, in these modes, well-thought-out recuperation becomes more important, which can be adjusted either with the paddles under the steering wheel (there are four stages) or immediately activated to the maximum by switching the lever to position "B"; the Honda Jazz offered only the latter option. By the way, an interesting feature: choosing the SPORT mode means not only more active engine response, but also the activation of the second level of recovery.
Where the Honda HR-V and Honda Jazz are still almost completely identical is in the chassis settings. The steering wheel is quite light and has medium sharpness. The car reacts normally to steering wheel turns, there are no long delays in reactions. Only when you overcorrect in a corner does the Honda HR-V crossover try to slip out: this is an understandable classic of front-wheel drive. Usually, the suspension works out bumps well (especially the front), carefully hides pits and protrusions, and does not allow large body rolls - there are only subtle swaying in bends, as if hinting to the driver. And when you have already calmed down and seem to have gotten used to the car, it can suddenly give a big kick with the rear suspension on another deep pit. Unfortunately, the Honda HR-V doesn't offer the same comfort and handling magic as the new Honda ZR-V crossover with fully independent rear suspension.
The hybrid attracts not so much with absolute power or acceleration numbers (although the 0-100 km/h acceleration is even better than promised) as with logical control, fast linear reactions, the ability to select several driving modes and flexible control of recuperation. Among other personal observations: fuel consumption in the city is about 4.5-4.8 liters per 100 km; on empty roads and with a smooth driving style, you can even get a minimum of 3.7-3.8 liters; in traffic jams and/or dynamic driving style, you get a maximum of 5-5.2 liters; fuel consumption on the highway at a speed of about 100 km/h is kept at 4.5-5 liters per 100 km of travel. You won't be driving much faster on the highways anyway: at high speeds, you want more power reserve and less noise from the engine, wheels, and aerodynamics.
Cost: how much does the Honda HR-V cost and who can be a competitor
The Honda HR-V is offered in Ukraine exclusively with the aforementioned hybrid and front-wheel drive, and buyers can choose only one of three configurations.
The range is opened by the Honda HR-V Elegance, which features the following front and side airbags, inflatable side curtain airbags, dynamic stabilization system, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist and lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed limiter, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, heated front seats, single-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, multimedia system with 9-inch touchscreen display, LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, etc. The cost of theHonda HR-V 1.5 e:HEV Elegance starts from UAH 1.45 million or about $35.5 thousand.
One step higher is the Honda HR-V Advance, which adds the following: a mirror blind spot monitoring system, reverse assist, combined fabric/leather seat trim, dual-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, LED fog lights. The price of the Honda HR-V 1.5 e:HEV Advance starts from UAH 1.55 million or about $37.8 thousand.
The maximum variant is the Honda HR-V Advance Style, which additionally features the following: orange decorative trim on the interior console, orange stitching on the steering wheel and seats, a wireless charging station, an improved audio system, an external body styling package, and an active cornering light system. The price of the Honda HR-V 1.5 e:HEV Advance Style starts from UAH 1.65 million or about $40 thousand.
Even the basic configuration includes a dashboard with a digital display, a multimedia system, a rearview camera, LED headlights and alloy wheels, and many security systems. The maximum equipment includes dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and heated seats and steering wheel. However, the price for a large list of equipment is quite high: the crossover Honda HR-V costs $35-40thousand. What are the competing alternatives?
There are many competitors. If you take a hybrid crossover of a similar class and price, you can consider the Jeep Compass (drives so-so, but is cheaper), Hyundai Kona Hybrid (nice driving performance and a slightly lower price), entry-level and mid-range versions of the Toyota C-HR (good comfort, but a cramped interior in the back). It's also fashionable to consider adding more money, but choose the Honda ZR-V crossover: it's a class above the rest, offers better comfort and higher engine power.
If a hybrid is not necessary, but you need an economical engine, then in this case the competitors are the Peugeot 2008 diesel crossover (slightly smaller, but also for less money) or even the Citroen C5 Aircross (larger, for similar money). Finally, if you need a compact crossover, if you forget about the efficiency of a hybrid or diesel, but still need all-wheel drive, then Suzuki S-Cross and Mazda CX-30 will help. So...
