New Honda HR-V is an urban-crossover

Previewed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the new Honda HR-V’s arrival in local showrooms coincides with its European debut. Despite its compact footprint, the HR-V looks and feels spacious inside. The interior execution focuses on intelligent packaging to deliver a spacious front and rear cabin, while the luggage compartment offers generous stowage space.

Honda’s unique Magic Seat system, as in its Jazz and Civic models, is also included, adding further practicality and flexibility to the interior. The Magic Seat system allows the 60:40 split rear bench seat to be configured in several different ways to optimise the way the HR-V’s generous interior space is used to accommodate various combinations of passengers and cargo.

The Honda HR-V is a compact footprint with a spacious interior. Picture: Supplied.

In addition to the standard seating configuration, the Magic Seat system offers three different modes. In the Utility Mode, the rear seatback folds forward, while the seat base is lowered into the rear footwell. The result is a flat floor measuring 1 845 mm. In Tall Mode, the front of the rear seat base is raised and locked in a vertical position, leaving a tall loading area with a height of 1 240 mm that conveniently accommodates tall objects behind the front seats.

Finally, there is the Long Mode, which allows the front passenger seatback to fold backwards, while the rear seatback is folded forward. This creates a ‘tunnel’ that can accommodate objects of up to 2 455 mm long.

With the seats raised, the luggage compartment offers 393 litres of boot space up to window level, while folding the split rear seat flat increases cargo capacity to an impressive 1 002 litres. The new HR-V offers an extensive list of comfort and convenience equipment across the two-model range. Highlights include electrically operated windows and mirrors, remote central locking, air-conditioning, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel and a multi-information trip computer.

The Honda HR-V is a compact footprint with a spacious interior. Picture: Supplied.

Depending on model, the new HR-V’s integrated infotainment system is controlled via a five-inch monitor or a seven-inch colour touchscreen display. Both systems feature Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephony and audio streaming, USB connections, a CD player and multiple speakers.

The new HR-V is equipped with an electric parking brake, combined with an auto brake hold function. The electric parking brake is engaged via a switch on the centre console and automatically releases when the accelerator pedal is pressed. The auto brake hold function engages automatically after the vehicle has been braked to a standstill and the brake pedal is released. The hold function is disengaged as soon as the accelerator is activated.

However, if the brake hold function remains activated for an extended period of time, for instance in a traffic jam, the electric parking brake will be engaged instead. Again, pressing the accelerator will then disengage the electric parking brake.

The Honda HR-V is a compact footprint with a spacious interior. Picture: Supplied.

Safety is comprehensively addressed via an extensive array of passive and active safety systems. Passive measures include six airbags, head restraints, inertia reel seatbelts for all seating positions and Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure.

Active systems include ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) activation, as well as Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and a high-mounted LED rear brake light.

The new Honda HR-V is available with a choice of two efficient petrol engines, both linked to a new-generation Earth Dreams technology Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT). Regardless of engine, drive is to the front wheels.

The Honda HR-V is a compact footprint with a spacious interior. Picture: Supplied.

Honda’s familiar 1 497cc in-line four-cylinder engine, already on offer in the new-generation Jazz and Ballade models, is equally effective powering the HR-V 1.5 Comfort. The fuel-injected unit’s maximum power and torque outputs come to 88kW and 145Nm respectively.

For the more upmarket HR-V 1.8 Elegance, Honda has chosen a 1 799 cc four-cylinder engine, also boasting electronic fuel injection, and credited with 105kW of maximum power, while maximum torque is 172Nm. The CVT common to both models features the latest control logic to achieve a direct and linear response reminiscent of a manual gearbox. The standard shift paddles allow manual override.

The CVT’s updated control software simulates seven virtual gears and optimises gear changes for specific driving styles and conditions, thus always making the most effective use of the engine’s output. Fuel efficiency also benefits as a result.

Under the skin, a highly rigid monocoque employing a significant proportion of high-tensile steel creates a stiff platform for the independent MacPherson strut-based front suspension and torsion beam rear, ensuring effective damping.

Electric power steering is standard in the interests of overall efficiency, while a lower front and raised rear roll centre benefits overall stability and neutral, confident handling traits. The ABS braking system features discs all round.

The locally available Honda HR-V range consists of two models, with the 1.5 Comfort variant on offer initially. This model is comprehensively equipped, with exterior highlights including halogen headlights and front fog lamps, roof rails and comprehensive colour coding.

The interior features cloth upholstery and soft-touch surfaces and finishes, creating an inviting, upmarket ambience. Front cupholders, a glove compartment, door panel pockets and a front centre armrest are all standard, as are illuminated vanity mirrors.

The Comfort derivative gets a 5-inch monitor providing the interface between the HR-V’s occupants and the on-board infotainment system. It includes a 150 watt, four-speaker sound system, USB and AUX inputs, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. There is also an alarm system with integrated immobiliser.

The Honda HR-V is a compact footprint with a spacious interior. Picture: Supplied.

The 1.8 Elegance offers all the standard features of its 1.5 Comfort stablemate but augments the list with some additional upgrades. These include larger alloy wheels and auto-activating LED headlights with daytime running lights.

Inside, the Elegance gains leather upholstery and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, automatic climate control, heated front seats and a rear armrest. The 5-inch monitor makes way for a 7-inch touch screen display with rear-view camera. The display allows access to a raft of advanced features, including a more powerful integrated sound system with six loudspeakers. Honda’s Smart Entry system has remote locking and unlocking, and the engine starts at the push of a button.