The US’ subcompact crossover style is exploding, however Honda was one of many first to enter this house with the HR-V. Simply because it began feeling a bit outdated, the automaker got here by means of and gave the 2019 HR-V quite a lot of updates that add peace of thoughts and, for those who decide the brand new Sport trim, an aesthetic sprint of sportiness.The HR-V has all the time been on the high of my suggestion checklist, and these new updates solely reinforce its place on that checklist.Sport in identify solely, nevertheless it’s a very good lookIn addition to a couple creature-comfort upgrades throughout its numerous trims, Honda additionally added a brand new Sport mannequin that is positioned simply above the bottom LX. It is a Sport trim in identify solely, relegated to aesthetics alone — a alternative from Honda that I discover tougher to defend with every iteration — however I like the ultimate outcome. The gloss black decrease physique trim and wheels stand out in opposition to my tester’s orange paint in a means that confers simply the correct quantity of aggression for a automotive of its dimension.
The inside would not change all that a lot, and it is nonetheless a pleasing place to hang around. The Sport trim provides a black headliner and contrasting stitching on the comfortable material seats, and I like the way in which each additions combine with the HR-V’s inside design. The rear seats are expectedly small for a automobile on this class, however my six-foot-tall body had little problem getting in and staying snug.
The actual magic within the second row comes from Honda’s split-folding rear seats. Whereas my tester’s non-obligatory all-wheel drive does eat into cargo capability by a small bit, it nonetheless has 57.6 cubic ft of house with the second row folded flat, placing it on the high of its phase. Honda added some extra sound-deadening materials to the physique, and it really works. The journey is barely quieter than it was, if solely by a bit. If something, the most important profit it confers is that the doorways not really feel like I am wielding items of corrugated tin.The inside can really feel a bit cavernous when it is clad in all black, particularly on my tester, which lacks a sunroof.
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Powertrain exhibiting its ageThe 2019 HR-V may function new creature comforts and trims, however one space the place the HR-V is not any totally different than when it debuted is the powertrain. It nonetheless rocks the identical 1.Eight-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder that it is all the time had. 141 horsepower is not all that a lot, and 127 pound-feet of torque positively is not, granting the HR-V ahead movement that might be described as barely higher than sluggish on a very good day, thanks partially to the additional weight of the non-obligatory all-wheel-drive system. Mixed with a repeatedly variable transmission (the six-speed guide choice is useless and gone), the entire shebang is not actually worthy of a Sport badge. Honda’s 1.5-liter turbo I4 could be a significantly better choice for this automotive, particularly within the wake of latest competitors just like the Hyundai Kona, which has an non-obligatory turbocharged engine good for 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.
Talking of the Kona with its hopped-up non-obligatory engine, each it and my 2019 HR-V tester share the identical EPA-estimated gas financial system within the metropolis (26 miles per gallon), with the HR-V besting the Kona on the freeway (31 mpg vs. 29, respectively). Contemplating I used to be capable of get higher figures out of the Kona throughout my time with it, I feel Honda’s growing old 1.Eight-liter is about able to be put out to pasture.But, the HR-V continues to be a blast to drive as soon as I am on top of things. It feels flat sufficient throughout spirited driving, providing confidence because the factor will get thrown into nook after nook. The steering is very pleasant, providing responsiveness at any pace.
However in the case of extra family-friendly driving, the HR-V would not precisely disappoint. The wheels could be massive, however the suspension nonetheless does a very good job of absorbing unhealthy roads like each different trim on provide. Would I prefer it extra if the Sport badge meant some stiffer springs? Presumably, however the HR-V is loads high quality in that division as-is.Tech is sweet, nevertheless it might be betterWhile Honda nonetheless suits a dinky little display within the base HR-V, larger trim ranges obtain a revised 7-inch Show Audio infotainment system with each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It feels extra responsive than it has previously, nevertheless it’s nonetheless the outdated model of Honda’s system, not operating the flashy new software program I’ve skilled in different up to date fashions, just like the Accord, Perception and Odyssey. Now that backup cameras are normal, I’ve turn out to be a stickler for high quality ones, and the HR-V disappoints in that space. Whereas the sector of view is appropriately huge, the decision is so low that it is exhausting to pick particulars at even a reasonable distance. I perceive the HR-V is an affordable automotive, however this downside is not restricted to Honda’s lower-cost choices. It might do higher.One massive enchancment for the 2019 mannequin 12 months is the democratization of Honda Sensing, the automaker’s suite of lively and passive security techniques. Customary tools now consists of adaptive cruise management, automated braking and lane-keep help, nevertheless it’s solely accessible on the EX trim and up. The bottom LX and my Sport-trim tester are left to do with out, a tragic casualty of Honda’s penny-pinching.Honda’s trim packaging lets me down in different methods, too. The Sport trim lacks quite a lot of fundamentals which might be accessible at this value level on different automobiles. I haven’t got heated seats, nor do I’ve automated headlights, and satellite tv for pc radio is nowhere to be discovered. Heck, I nonetheless should put a pocket-puncturing key into the steering column to begin the rattling factor. Given the ubiquity of those options throughout different elements of Honda’s lineup and the business at giant, I feel decrease trims of the HR-V are a bit feature-poor.How I would spec itHonda’s trim ranges not often carry non-obligatory packages, so what you see is what you get (and what you pay). I’ll skip the Sport trim and transfer as much as the EX, which provides Honda Sensing, heated seats and keyless entry. I am going to keep on with front-wheel drive to save lots of $1,400, and since there aren’t any packages accessible, meaning I am sitting fairly with a $23,720 HR-V. For comparability, my all-wheel-drive Sport tester is simply $100 under this at $23,620. Certain, you lose a bit within the appears to be like division, however the EX is healthier outfitted.All the way down to brass tacksThe HR-V has a number of competitors. The Hyundai Kona provides a zippy turbo engine with out fuel-economy penalties, the Kia Soul is about as sensible as a automobile can get and the Mazda CX-Three options a number of the phase’s greatest driving dynamics. A few of its challengers are nowhere close to as totally baked, just like the Fiat 500X and Chevy Trax. In order for you some semblance of off-road readiness, the Jeep Renegade exists, however that is the one cause to think about it in my view.Again when the phase was small, the HR-V stood out with a strong mix of sensibility, capaciousness and enjoyable. It nonetheless possesses all these qualities, however because the phase has grown, the HR-V is slowly getting misplaced within the noise. I nonetheless suggest it for each cause I’ve acknowledged above, I simply hope Honda has some extra tips up its sleeve within the close to future to maintain this automotive close to the highest of the phase the place it belongs.
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