- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr He
Honda HR-V SUV. 2nd generation, 2018 restyling
The Honda HR-V is a compact SUV manufactured by Honda Motor (Japan) since 1998 in a 3- or 5-door body mainly for young people. This model is designed for comfortable traveling within the city and in the country. The vehicle can offer a spacious interior, a unique rear seat transformation system, fuel-efficient engines and an off-road build. Introduced in 2015, the second generation vehicle was restyled three years later. One of the goals of this model is to evoke pleasant emotions, and the Honda is good at it.
Exterior
The second generation SUV is so different from its predecessor that it is difficult to guess that it is the same model, which is quite traditional for revolutionary Honda. Even at home, the vehicle received a different name, Vezel, but in Europe and the USA it is still called the HR-V. There is an undeniable similarity with the older CR-V, which has not disappeared after the 2018 restyling: a moderately aggressive front end with beautiful headlights of an unusual shape, a ‘family’ radiator grille and a raised bumper. It is pleasant to see the dynamic silhouette with a sloping roof, the rear door handles hidden in the body pillars and the expressive relief of the edges on the sidewalls. The rear end is just as good, featuring large, oddly shaped lights and a neat bumper.
After the restyling, the 2018/2019 Honda HR-V has not only acquired new bumpers, which made the body slightly longer (4,334 mm versus 4,295 mm), but also spectacular LED headlights inspired by the Acura cars. The vehicle is still 1,773 mm wide and 1,605 mm high. The wheelbase of the SUV is 2,610 mm, while its ground clearance is 185 mm. In Israel, the new Honda HR-V is available in 8 vibrant body colors.
Interior
The interior looks beautiful, interesting and modern. The asymmetric center console is decorated with a color multimedia screen, below is a nice touch-sensitive climate control unit. There is a multifunctional three-spoke steering wheel and a bright instrument cluster with two analogue dials and a color display of the trip computer.
The manufacturer calls the rear seats of its vehicle ‘magic seats’, as they do not just fold, but if desired, fold forward in a folded condition. This system debuted on the Jazz/Fit small cars two decades ago. Thanks to this pleasant feature, the trunk volume ranges from 431 liters to 1,456 liters.
Powertrains
The 2019/2020 Honda HR-V SUV has a 1.5-liter petrol engine equipped with an IVTEC system (with variable valve timing). It produces 130 hp at 6,600 rpm and a torque of 155 Nm at 4,600 rpm. The vehicle comes with a CVT and front-wheel drive. There is a McPherson strut independent suspension at the front and a cross member semi-dependent suspension at the rear. The vehicle is equipped with disc brakes, with the front ones being ventilated. Electronic assistants are available (ABS, EBD, BAS, EBA).
Equipment
The new entry-level HR-V is equipped with VSA, six airbags, hill start assist, light sensor, heated and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, heated front seats, sound system with six speakers, 2-zone climate control and other equipment.
After the restyling, trim levels available in Israel (Executive and Elegance) comprise a Honda Sensing safety package, which combines lane keeping assist and traffic sign recognition system, adaptive cruise control and an automatic braking system (with a pedestrian recognition function), and also prevents pedal errors in confined road conditions (for example, in a parking lot). Even the 2020 Honda HR-V is equipped with a new proprietary multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto services.
