Honda renews one of its flagship products in Europe. The Honda HR-V adds a new generation marked by hybrid transformation. Many novelties that we have already been able to test during its international presentation on German roads. The improvement has been considerable.
No one doubts the strength of SUVs in Europe anymore. SUVs represent 56% of total sales. If one focuses on the C-SUV segment, the compact segment represents 29% of the total. Almost one in three SUVs sold belong to that segment. In 2018 25% of the units sold were hybrids, today it is 36% and it is expected that by 2023 it will be 45%. And that’s where the 2022 Honda HR-V comes in.
Nor do I mean that the HR-V is a new product, because it is not. It has been in the Honda family since 2000, even before the modern SUV stage began. The acronym HR-V corresponds to the acronym High Revolutionary Vehicle, and in his day, in a way, it was. With the new one, there are already three generations that are launched. Each one better than the last.
Today it is very common for each new model to be slightly larger than the previous one, but the HR-V 2022 remains in its size. In fact, It could be considered even small to be a C-SUV since it barely reaches 4.33 meters. So you are on that delicate border between the urban and compact market. Both in person and in pictures it looks bigger than it is.
Honda does not know what that design philosophy is. Each model has its own style and image. It cannot be said that the HR-V copies something of its siblings, because it does not, it does not even borrow concepts or details from its older brother, the Honda CR-V. The new imprint is neutral, not particularly flashy, but very balanced and with a coupe touch thanks to a pronounced tailgate..
In terms of design there is no single and universal taste, everyone will have their opinion. The appearance of the HR-V is almost always the same. Despite having three equipment lines: Elegance, Advance and Advance Style, in none of them there is a radical aesthetic transformation. Small details change here and there, but generally speaking it is always very similar.
Personalization is not his strong suit, although I do not think it is something that worries the buyer much; above all pragmatism. And that is something that is going to be obtained in large quantities once we jump into it. The Honda HR-V will not stand out for its daring cabin either, but for being practical and spacious. The whole interior is well thought out and well used. Especially the second row of seats with the magnificent Magic Seats system.
In addition to the traditional 60:40 folding seat system, Magic Seats allow you to raise the bench to be able to introduce very bulky or special objects. In addition to that, it enjoys a great space for the legs and the head, showing dimensions worthy of a superior segment. Although it suffers a penalty in the carrying capacity. The trunk barely has 335 liters. Expandable if we play with that second row.
The entire interior conveys a pleasant sense of quality. Although hard plastics are mostly offered, these are both pleasant and, above all, the feeling of finish quality is very good. You can see the Japanese hand in the making. Perfect adjustments and nothing to reproach in that regard. Personally, the only thing I miss is something of character to the whole.
The presence is not bad, but it is too seen. Partially digital instrumentation, floating screen with a nine-inch panel, a lot of simplicity and clean surfaces. There is nothing that particularly attracts attention. The best, for me, is the presence of an excellent air conditioning module. Clear, simple, practical. It is difficult to find elements like this in the increasingly complicated modern cars. I like it.
As far as equipment is concerned, the three levels allow us to load the HR-V to our liking. We can add or subtract items based on needs and budget. It must be recognized that it is one of the most complete C-SUV as standard. The list of elements is very generous, offering from the outset systems that in other cars you have to scratch your pocket. I personally recommend the Advance finish because the price hardly goes up and it comes more complete.
As I said, everyone can find the solution that best suits their needs. If you take a look at everything it offers, elements such as: Full LED headlights, keyless access and start, partially digital instrumentation, 9-inch touch panel multimedia system, mobile device connectivity, parking camera, navigator, climate control and the complete Honda Sensing security equipment. Very complete and not very intrusive.
Although the new Honda HR-V base much of its improvements in the equipment, the mechanics are key. In 2023, 45% of the segment’s sales are expected to be hybrid mechanics. For that reason the HR-V now offers an e: HEV scheme that is already used by other models in the range like the Honda Jazz. It is a hybrid, yes, but not just any one. Honda technology is curious and at the same time very attractive. I tell you.
The main axis is a Atkinson cycle gasoline engine with 1.5 liters of displacement. Two electric motors are added to it and a small battery with just 1 kWh capacity. So far, everything within the usual. The key is that the engine can not only move the wheels, it is also capable of acting as a generator and, in fact, most of the time it works as such.
Depending on the driving mode: EV, Hybrid or Engine, the system behaves in one way or another. In EV mode, it is the electric motor, pulling the battery, in charge of moving the car. In Hybrid mode, the electric motor continues to drive the car, while the Atkinson block acts as a generator. supplying power to the battery. In Engine mode, the electric motor and the thermal motor work at the same time.
All the force is always sent to the front axle through the management of an electric motor. Yes, you heard right. The second electric motor does not drive the car, its job is to act as a CVT transmission and regulate the revolutions of the gasoline engine, always keeping it in an optimal force range, as long as it is generating force to move the car, that is: the second electric motor only comes into play when driving in Engine mode. All the management is done automatically without us being able to determine the way in which we want to circulate.
Giving power and performance data it is discovered that we cannot refer to the Honda HR-V as a performance model. 131 horsepower and 253 Nm of torque. A considerable increase compared to the previous generation thanks to the fact that it is the electrical block that always generates the impulse. From 0 to 100 km / h in 10.6 seconds, top speed of 178 km / h, certified emissions of 122 grams of CO2 per km and an approved average consumption of 5.4 liters per 100 kilometers.
Honda HR-V 2022 test
While Honda counts true-breed sports cars like the long-awaited Honda NS-X in its ranks, the reality of buyers dictates a clear preference for savings and the most favorable environmental labels. The HR-V serves both purposes beautifully, and it also has a few hidden qualities, such as ride comfort. By operating for a long time in 100% electric format, it transmits a good ride quality
The urban or medium speed routes are very comfortable. Hardly any disturbances seep inside and the cabin is well insulated. From time to time the gasoline engine makes itself felt when we accelerate a little harder, but the predominant note is calm. When we step on the accelerator, things change. The thermoblock revs up quickly, as is the case in most CVT cars. That detracts from the comfort of the occupants, with a noticeable mechanical roar inside. Once we loosen the pedal, calm returns.
So much technique may have overwhelmed more than one, but the reality is quite different. The car is very easy to handle since there is no way to act on this behavior. The driver can only manage a couple of parameters. First, the driving modes. There are three programs: Eco, Normal and Sport. The differences between them are negligible, so it is best to always circulate in the most economical modes. Second, the regeneration using paddles behind the wheel, there are four levels. Selecting mode B on the gearshift immediately goes into higher hold mode, but there is always a way to regulate it with the paddles.
It must be said that this regenerative braking does not act as a single pedal. In fact, it never applies a deceleration greater than 0.1 G of force, but it does allow us to be able to regulate the deceleration without having to constantly press the brake pedal. Of course, the entire new powertrain rests on a new platform. A stiffer structure than the previous one that translates into a good ride. The feel of the steering wheel and the pedals is correct, as it should be. The management conveys the information very well, and the train’s response is quick.
Nor do I mean that it is an ideal car for aggressive driving. Although the body roll is not very pronounced, the car makes it clear that it is not its natural habitat. It also doesn’t make much sense to buy yourself a high-efficiency hybrid to do that kind of driving. He knows what he plays, and he plays it wonderfully. The recoveries are somewhat lazy, and that forces us to calculate very well the overtaking in secondary roads or the incorporations to express roads. It is not dangerous at all, but the car takes its time.
The best of all are the consumptions. Like the Jazz, the HR-V achieves ridiculous fuel consumption figures. It is what has surprised me the most. Try to be as efficient as possible at all times. Thanks to that, the homologation figure is just 5.4 liters per 100 kilometers. During the presentation, which is never particularly efficient, the on-board computer recorded a average consumption of 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers traveled. It’s easy to get down from there.
To conclude, it is time to talk about the ugly business of money. Honda is not a very cheap firm, it is a generalist, yes, but one of the most expensive. Keep in mind that the HR-V comes much more equipped than most of the category, and that increases the price considerably. All this being said, the starting price of the Honda HR-V 2022 is 31,140 euros, without offers or promotions. That value is associated with the access finish. The Advance level has a starting point of 33,640 euros, remember that for me it is the ideal. And, finally, the HR-V Advance Style is offered from 36,140 euros.
Conclusions
The market dictates judgment. The future is what it is and we cannot escape it. All manufacturers know where we are headed, and hence the presence of more and more hybrids. The new Honda HR-V takes a different approach. It is a hybrid SUV whose main strengths are its excellent fuel economy and its large interior space. On the contrary, some defects such as the price (although it comes very complete) and the excessive noise of the gasoline engine under acceleration can also be mentioned.
It may not be the Honda Civic Type-R that we all want and aspire to have, but without a doubt it is the car that we already, and in a few years we will need. I like the approach that Honda brings to the table. Your e: HEV hybrid scheme is very interesting to me because for most of the time you will be much more economical than your competition more direct. It will penalize long trips at high speed, but it will more than compensate the rest of the time.